'Broadway Bound', 'Playmaking' and More Set for Guthrie Theater's 2012 Summer Camps

Those wishing to engage young people through theater games, creative movement and fascinating interaction this summer have a perfect opportunity at the Guthrie Theater. With uniquely gifted instructors and a wide range of offerings, Summer Camps at the Guthrie are an ideal way to spend a week igniting a passion for theater in young people ages 7-17. No theater experience is necessary. Schedules, teaching artists' bios and registration information are available at www.guthrietheater.org/camps.

Due to the increased demand for camps for younger children, the "Storymaking" camp of previous years is now two separate camps: "Storymaking" for ages 7-8, taught by Guthrie Teaching Artists Laura Esping and H. Adam Harris, and "Playmaking" for ages 9-10, taught by Carin Bratlie and Michael Jurenek.

In addition, the Guthrie and Gustavus Adolphus College will offer the Theater Audition Boot Camp from June 24-30, 2012. This unique and immersive program is open to students entering grades 10-12 who seriously intend to pursue a career in theatrical performance. The camp will include a day spent working at the Guthrie with Guthrie artists, with students receiving supervised room and board in Gustavus' residence halls. For information on the Theater Audition Boot Camp, including how to register, visit gustavus.edu/camps or call 507.933.7486.

With class offerings running the gamut from Shakespeare to slapstick to musical theater, Guthrie summer camps provide discovery, learning and excitement for young people interested in participating in theater as well as those looking for a distinct summertime experience. Guthrie 2012 summer camp teaching artists include performers with local and national credentials in areas including dramatic interpretation, vocal performance, sketch and standup comedy, stage combat, choreography, European-style clowning, and dialects and accents.

UPCOMING SUMMER CAMP LISTINGS:

Camps for 7- and 8-year-olds

Storymaking
Session A: August 13 - 17, 2012
9 a.m. to 4 p.m. | $475
Explore countless ways to create a story! Using music, fairy tales, and simple acting games, campers will create their own tales inspired by the twists and turns of their imaginations. The joy of collaborating and playing together, sprinkled with the magic of make-believe, makes this camp an exciting week of fun.

Camps for 9- and 10-year-olds

Playmaking
Session A: August 13 - 17, 2012
9 a.m. to 4 p.m. | $475
Let your imagination run wild! Take an old story and make it new by shaping it to your liking. Campers will create homemade plays from their own imaginations using themes from children's literature, myths and legends. Learning basic skills in acting, voice and movement will help campers experience the fun of creating their own barebones theater from scratch.

Camps for 11- to 13-year-olds

Musical Theater Journeys
Session A: July 9 - 13, 2012
Session B: July 23 - 27, 2012
9 a.m. to 4 p.m. | $495
Dream up a creative story suited for the stage, add music and, finally, lessons in acting, singing and dance. And... voila! Campers will learn what it takes to create a musical in just one week. Guthrie teaching artists will direct, choreograph and make camper's imaginative ideas come to life.

Make 'Em Laugh
Session A: July 16 - 20, 2012
Session B: July 30 - August 3, 2012
9 a.m. to 4 p.m. | $495
Unleash wholesome fun in this laugh-out-loud exploration of comedy theater skills. In the style of the popular television show "Whose Line is it Anyway?", campers will experience the joy of improvisation, including unique exercises in creating quirky characters and scenes, as well as the fine art of slapstick, double takes, spit takes and split-second joke timing.

Camps for 14- to 17-year-olds

Broadway Bound
Session A: July 16 - 20, 2012
Session B: July 30 - August 3, 2012
9 a.m. to 4 p.m. | $495

Learn musical theater skills from real pros! Immerse yourself in all aspects of musical theater with training in singing, dance and acting, while acquiring the confidence and bold techniques required for larger-than-life productions. Campers will create their own musical theater piece, staged and choreographed by talented Guthrie teaching artists.

Camp Shakespeare
Session A: July 9 - 13, 2012
Session B: July 23 - 27, 2012
9 a.m. to 4 p.m. | $495

Wield a staff, rattle off a string of Elizabethan insults, or become a wicked villain! Campers will enjoy diving into this no holds 'Bard' look at the work of our greatest playwright, while experiencing training in acting, voice and movement using popular Shakespearean scenes and sonnets. Previous experience with Shakespeare is not necessary.

Extreme Slapstick
Session A: August 6 - 10, 2012
9 a.m. to 4 p.m. | $495
Are you ready to get serious about being funny? Explore character development and theater techniques for a wide variety of physical comedy, including sight gags, mask work, clowning, how to slip on a banana peel, stage combat and much more. Rest assured, all techniques are taught and supervised by professionals so campers can let loose in a safe, creative environment.

THE GUTHRIE THEATER (Joe Dowling, Director) was founded by Sir Tyrone Guthrie in 1963 and is an American center for theater performance, production, education and professional training. The Tony Award-winning Guthrie Theater is dedicated to producing the great works of dramatic literature, developing the work of contemporary playwrights and cultivating the next generation of theater artists. With annual attendance of nearly 500,000 people, the Guthrie Theater presents a mix of classic plays and contemporary work on its three stages. Under the artistic leadership of Joe Dowling since 1995, the Guthrie continues to set a national standard for excellence in theatrical production and performance. For more, visit www.guthrietheater.org.

To post a comment, you must register and login.