Theatre summer camps, especially hands-on workshops offered in the Egyptian Theatre’s summer YouTheatre program, are beneficial to children, even though some of the students may not going to pursue a career on the stage.
“These programs help them with public speaking, job interviews and other social skills,” YouTheatre director Jamie Wilcox told The Park Record. “These opportunities give them the training to work and collaborate in groups, which, as we know as adults, is so important in many professions.”
This year, YouTheatre is offering six summer sessions, which begin on in June and run through mid-July, that range from introductory theatre camps to a master class with internationally renowned actor Peter Karrie.
Registration is now being accepted at www.parkcityshows.com .
The first offering is the Pre-Teen summer camp for ages eight to 12.
“The camp is for ages eight to 12 and runs for 11 days from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.,” Wilcox said. “What’s exciting about the camp is it offers electives that the students can choose in the morning.”
Students will choose two electives that include stage make up, stage movement and combat, singing, puppetry and dance, she said.
“Students will also get to choose drama training or musical theatre training,” Wilcox said. “The stage combat workshop will not just be about fighting, but will also teach the kids how to move and present themselves on a stage.”
The electives are a great way for those who just want to come and experience some sort of theatre training, but it is also beneficial for those kids who are all about drama.
“At the end of the camp, the kids will be able to perform the productions they chose on the Egyptian Theatre stage,” she said.
YouTheatre is also providing a weeklong camp is for younger children between the ages of five and seven.
Theatre Bugs which runs Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m., will be offered at three different times June 18 through 22, July 16 through 20 and August 13 through 17.
“The children get to participate in and learn a theatre craft,” Wilcox explained. “They will take classes in dance, singing and drama and the singing, dancing and drama will come together for a little show that will be presented during the afternoon of their last day in the camp.”
The Drama Queens & Kings camp, which is also offered the same dates as Theatre Bugs, is geared for older children ages eight to 14.
“The hours are longer,” Wilcox said. “They will meet from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.”
The sessions will include improvisation, ensemble work, drama, voice and movement.
“At the end of the sessions, instead of a play, the kids in Drama Queens & Kings will give a showcase of what they learned in a performance similar to a variety show,” Wilcox explained. “The performance will take place during same program the Theatre Bugs kids will do theirs, so parents will get to watch both.”
The Teen Summer Camps, designed for students ages 12 to 18, will start in July.
First off is a class called Dramatically Different, which will run July 9 through July 27.
“This is a three-week camp that also ends with a production,” Wilcox said. “The kids participating in the camp will also get to choose electives in the morning.”
The second class is Musical Theatre, which starts on July 9, but runs until Aug. 10.
“Kids from both classes will attend the same electives in the morning, but work on different productions in the afternoon,” Wilcox said. “We’ll have classical acting, stage make up, voice and movement for the stage and acting basics for film.”
The Musical Theatre option will run an extra two weeks to give the students time to rehearse for their session-closing production of Jason Robert Brown’s production of “13.”
“It’s a great musical all about being 13 years old,” Wilcox said. “This play features great guy parts and four or five girl parts and a wonderful ensemble. So, needless to say, we need boys. The lead role is a boy and he’s got four or five friends. It’s rare to find a musical with four or five boys in the forefront, and this is one of them.
“It’s amazing because they will get that show ready in five weeks, with only two weeks dedicated to full-on rehearsals,” Wilcox said.
The last workshop is the master class with actor Peter Karrie, a four-day experience that will run July 16 through July 19, from 9 a.m. until 11:30 a.m.
“Peter has done everything from playing the Phantom in ‘Phantom of the Opera’ to Jean ValJean in ‘Les Miserables,’ at London’s West End,” Wilcox said. “The class is free for kids who are registered in the musical theatre strand of the summer, but is also open for anyone ages 12 and older for $250.”
When Karrie presents his show for the public at the Egyptian Theatre on July 19, he will choose some of the kids who participated in the master class to perform with him, Wilcox said. “They will have the opportunity to sing one or two numbers with him, which will be fun.”
In addition to Karrie, the summer camp teachers include Jay Perry, who recently directed “Seussical Jr.,” members from the Repertory Dance Theatre and singer/actress Ginger Bess Simons and director Willie Richardson, both from the Dark Horse Company Theatre.
“Classes like these are important because YouTheatre participation gives the kids a chance to perform on stage,” Wilcox said. “That kind of experience not only helps with self-esteem and confidence, but also helps youths find their own voices to share with the world, their parents and their peers.
“I also think that being on the stage makes them a better audience member and a better listener,” she said. “That’s what I think theatre education is all about.”
For more information about or to register for the Egyptian Theatre’s YouTheatre summer camps, visit www.parkcityshows.com. Scholarships are also available. For more information, call Jamie Wilcox at (435) 649-9371 ex. 27 or email