Sierra
Repertory Theatre Jr. will offer summer camps this July and August for
children ages 4-6; 6-9; and 10 and older. Kids don’t have to have
theater experience to enroll. Sierra Rep Education Director Ralph
Krumins will lead the week-long sessions, created with all children in
mind, from the outgoing family clown to the shy child who may just be
waiting to unleash his inner actor.
“Our summer workshops are for anyone who just wants to play,” Krumins said.
And
play they will. Students in the youngest age groups will have fun with
games that utilize their natural gift of imagination, then move on to
learn lines and dance steps that prepare them for the stage. Older
children can look forward to honing skills like character-driven
motivation, advanced movement, and creative choices.
“When
the kids advance with age, it’s all about how we can take their
abilities to the next level to make them more accomplished actors,”
Krumins said.
Carter
Peterson, a 10-year-old from Sonora who attended two theater workshops
with Krumins earlier this year, plans to attend the summer workshop.
Carter, in the fourth grade at Soulsbyville Elementary, had limited
theater experience before he came to his first workshop: He recited a
poem at a talent show.
“But I wanted to try it,” said Carter, whose mother Sue read about SRT Jr.’s winter break workshop in the newspaper.
“I
usually play board games when I’m off school on vacation,” he said.
“I’d rather spend my time acting and singing and dancing.”
Up
to 15 students will attend each workshop, and remaining space is
limited. Krumins and his summer workshop counselors from Sierra Rep will
write a show specifically for the children in that session to perform
at the end of the week.
“Maybe
we’ll have six shy kids,” he said. “In that case, we’ll have a
narrator. Maybe we have some great dancers. Then we’ll put in some more
songs, have some more dancing.”
Sierra
Rep’s summer workshops are part of SRT Jr., which started last year
with after-school theater workshops. The program also includes a “trunk
show” with professional actors that present original productions for
students on campuses in Tuolumne County and beyond. Krumins hopes all this will foster an appreciation of the arts in youngsters.
“What we really want them to do is say, ‘Let’s go watch a show,’” he said.
Summer
workshops take place in July and August, organized by age group, with
the final workshop for ages 10 and up lasting two weeks instead of one.
Cost is $75-$200, depending on age. Season ticket holders receive a
discount. For more information on Sierra Rep’s summer workshops contact
Ralph Krumins at education@sierrarep.org or 209-532-0502, ext. 123. An enrollment form can be downloaded from the Education page at www.sierrarep.org.
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