If your daughter is in love with the stage your new year’s planning should include thinking about how summer acting camps can not only expose her to performance opportunities and training, but also teach her life skills that will serve her well for the rest of her life.
These acting camps are staffed by professionals who may even be graduates of the particular camp you and your daughter choose. They know what it feels like to be stepping on stage for the first time and have taken what they’ve learned with them to opportunities in the theater, television and film. As faculty, they teach small classes in the building blocks of theater – acting; improv; voice; and technical theater; which includes lighting, set design and production, props, and costumes.
But just as a successful life is not one-dimensional, neither are these acting summer camps. Some camps offer intensive programs in music and dance to augment your daughter’s theatrical tool kit. There are also camps that specialize in sub-sets of the performing arts, such as rock camps or acting for film. If she’s a budding Avril Lavigne a rock camp might be just the thing. Or, if she’s more into Jennifer Lopez or Paula Abdul, then it’s off to acting/dance camp she should go.
These acting camps produce several shows each season, so campers get plenty of opportunity to learn and grow. They are cast with like-minded girls of similar age and experience level, so they feel comfortable. The whole idea is to provide a sort of greenhouse for their development. In the process, they face challenges of just enough difficulty to stretch their performance muscles. As they move through their summer, they discover new talents and build lifelong friendships.
Physical muscles are stretched as well, because what would summer camp be without some outdoor recreation? Horseback riding, swimming and boating are all options, depending on the camp. The early evening hours can also be filled with team and individual sports, including softball, tennis or the traditional badminton. Playing with your friends is yet another way to forge bonds and grow as an individual.
Picture a day starting with a delicious breakfast and filled with classes that allow your daughter to explore new skills and meet new people from different backgrounds. After a day of emoting, a hike around the nearby countryside can give her some time and space to integrate all that new knowledge and relax.
Around that night’s campfire, perhaps she’ll look up and think about how not all the stars are in the sky.
Reproduction permitted only if all active links are maintained and byline is preserved, and/or your byline is omitted. 2011 All Rights Reserved.
If you are looking for a premier summer acting camp author Stephen Daniels suggests you check out Belvoir Terrace. They offer a diverse program and talented, experienced coaches. This is a fine arts camp that also offers traditional camping activities. Girls in grades 3 through 10 will find plenty to keep them busy at the beautiful Belvoir Terrace campgrounds estate in Lennox, MA.