Summer Camps 2023

Week 1: June 19-23

1A. Broadway’s Back!
Grades 1-4, 5-8 (9am – 4pm)
Tuition $245, DW Members $220.50 

In this interactive musical theatre camp, students will stretch, tone and condition their theatre skills through choreography, singing techniques, and acting the song that features great music and dance from well-loved musicals. Through discipline and artistic expression, students will strengthen and develop their performance skills in a multidisciplinary environment.

A combined sharing will be presented on Friday, June 23rd at 3:30.

1B. Dream Wizard Academy
Grades 2-8 (9am – 4pm)
Tuition $245, DW Members $220.50 

For the fans of fantastical works of fiction Harry Potter- join the 2023 Class of the DreamWizard Academy. Participants will be sorted into houses, construct their own wands, create charms, devise potions, and write and perform their very own wizard inspired scenes and stories. 

Stories will be shared on Friday, June 23rd at 3:30.

1C. Let’s Play: Little Lulu Ludlow’s Lament
Ages 3-5 (9am – 12pm OR 1pm – 4pm)
Tuition $115, DW Members $103.50 

It is never too early for your child to start loving theater and DreamWrights is the perfect place to begin. Your little one will learn theater concepts through fun, meaningful, hands–on activities including games, crafts, story time, music, and creative play.

A presentation of Little Lulu Ludlow’s Lament  by Rodd Robertson  will be held on Friday June 23rd:

Morning Session at 11:30am and Afternoon Session at 3:30pm

Week 2: June 26 – 30

2A. “How Does Your Garden Groove”
Grades 1-4 (9am – 4pm)
Tuition $245,  DW Members $220.50

This is not your typical garden-variety musical! Meet the musically talented vegetables growing in Freddy and Franny Farmer’s garden. The potatoes have “appeal,” leafy vegetables sing “Lettuce Entertain You,” and corn and peas beg “Please Don’t Put Us in a Can-Can!”  These lively veggies will sing and dance their way into everyone’s hearts.

A final performance will be presented on Friday, June 30th at 3:30.

2B. Art Camp: Outside the Box
Grades 4-7 (9am – 4pm)
Tuition $250,  DW Members $225   

Using everyday found items along with art supplies, campers will stretch their imaginations to create whimsical, unique, and one-of-a-kind creations. Campers will build assemblage sculptures, surrealist collages, and discover their artistic selves within their own sketchbook. Everyone will be encouraged to craft, paint, and think outside the box in this engaging camp experience! (Art supplies included in tuition fee)

Sharing open to the public on Friday, June 30th at 3:30.

Week 3: July 5 – 7  (3-Day Camps running Wed, Thur, Fri)

3A. Let’s Do It All – Theatre Company Camp
Grades 3-5 (9am-4pm)  3 day camp
Tuition $147, DW Members $132.30

Ever dreamed of creating your own theatre company? Dive into a three day crash course on getting a play from page to stage. DAY 1: Read the script, cast parts, set the stage, and rehearse. DAY 2: Rehearsals continue, characters are costumed, props collected and created. DAY 3: Final touches for set, costume, and props are complete then on to dress rehearsal. A perfect camp for those interested in all facets of theater while enhancing problem solving abilities and time management skills. 

Sharing open to the public on Friday, July 7th at 3:30.

3B. Poetry, Stories and Playwriting
Grades 5-7 (9am-4pm)  3 day camp
Tuition $147, DW Members $132.30

Join this three day writing masterclass with former Poet Laureate of York (2011 – 2013), Carla Christopher, focusing on the power of poetry, the art of storytelling, and the craft of playwriting. Bring your pen, a pad, and sense of play as we develop new works in three different genres. DAY 1 POETRY: Play with the forms of  magnet poetry, blackout poetry, graphic poetry expressed in your own voice. DAY 2 STORIES: Discover the physicality of words through active games bringing to life your original compositions. DAY 3 PLAYWRITING: Solo and ensemble devised short plays will be culled, crafted, and presented as a staged reading.

New play readings open to the public on Friday, July 7th at 3:30

3C. Screenwriting: How to Pen the Perfect Short Film
Grades 6-10 (9am-4pm) 3 day camp
Tuition $147, DW Members $132.30

Writers will learn the basic elements of taking an original idea from the page and adapting it to the screen during this three day intensive. Combining the importance of research and art of the play, participants will explore the process of penning the perfect short!

THREE WEEK PRODUCTION CAMP: 13 day camp!

Week 3: July 5-8 (3 days) Week 4: July 10-14 (5 days) & Week 5: July 17-21  (5 days)

3.4.5 Disney’s Finding Nemo JR
(3 week camp, 13 days!)
Grades 1-4 / 5-8 (9am – 4pm)
Tuition $635, DW Members $571.50 

Young performers (over the course of 13 DAYS) explore music, movement, and more as they bring to life Disney’s Finding Nemo JR now adapted as a musical from the composers of Frozen!  These 3 weeks will include auditions, music rehearsals, staging, choreography, and memorizing lines to be “Off-book” for one ticketed public performance to be presented on Friday, July 21st at 3:30pm

Interested in the Back Stage magic for this production camp? See “Operation NEMO” in Week 5!

Week 4: July 10-14

4A. The Secret to Shooting a Successful Short
Grades 7-9 (9am -4pm)
Tuition: $245, DW Member $220.50 

What makes people sit on the edge of their seat, laugh, cry, and leave the theater wanting more? Demystify the titillating genre of digital shorts by deconstructing the element of film: mood, music, pacing, conflict, and creativity. Utilizing our recording studio, video camera and sound equipment, students will learn the ins and out of creating a top to bottom short movie production.  They will write the story, gather props and costumes, choose locations (including green screen locations), set lighting and shots, rehearse, and then shoot. 

Short to be premiered at DW 2023 mini-FRINGE Festival in August 2023

4B. TEEN – Making a Musical – Part I Inspiration
TEEN CONSERVATORY Ages 12-18 (5pm-8pm)
Tuition: $105  DW Member: $94.50

In PART I of this three week camp, participants will devise the inspiration of a new musical with local playwright & composer Kate Brennan (ALiEN8, Lost Boys) under the direction of Jenny Mercin (Tulane University). Devise text, delineate and design characters for the show, create and experiment with new songs as an ensemble. PART I is perfect for courageous artists who have ideas, perspective and who want to be an integral part of a devising ensemble. A new musical starts with you!
Participants do NOT have to take all 3 parts to participate.

Week 5: July 17-21

5A. Let’s Play! The Three Little Pigs
Ages 3-5 (Morning session 9am – 12 pm OR Afternoon session 1pm – 4pm)
Tuition: $115, DW Member $103.50 (1/2 day camp)

It is never too early for your child to start loving theater and DreamWrights is the perfect place to begin. Your little one will learn theater concepts through fun, meaningful, hands-on activities including games, crafts, story time, music, and creative play.

A presentation of The Three Little Pigs will be held on Friday July 21st:
Morning Session at 11:30am and Afternoon Session at 3:30pm

5B. Tech Camp: Operation NEMO
Grades 4-6 / 7-9  (9am – 4pm)
Tuition: $245, DW Member $220.50

Go behind the scenes! This camp provides the opportunity to learn about the art of creating scenic, lighting, and props design for live theatre. Come and explore how to enhance the experience by bringing Disney’s Finding Nemo JR to life on stage.
One ticketed public performance to be presented on Friday, July 21st at 3:30pm

5C. TEEN – Making a Musical – Part II  Creation
TEEN CONSERVATORY Ages 12-18 (5pm-8pm)
Tuition: $105  DW Member: $94.50

Join us for PART II as we curate and hone the raw material generated in PART I. Together we will solidify the script, learn music, practice harmonies, make bold character choices, and test the possibilities of our piece in rehearsal and performance. PART II will be an excellent opportunity to play, rehearse, sing, dance, and will culminate in the first draft of the script of this new musical. Be a part of the working pieces of a new musical!
Participants do NOT have to take all 3 parts to participate.

Week 6: July 24-28

6A. Concrete Canvas! Part I – Spark of Creation
Grades 2-8 (9am – 4pm)
Tuition: $245, DW Member $220.50

Be the inspiration for DreamWrights’ annual reimagining of the stage door mural as part of our Mural Arts Initiative. Join an ensemble of young artists working together to research, explore, and express the vision of this mural. This group will prime and prep the location and supply the source material for the execution of the mural during Part II.

Mural concept will be presented on Friday July 28th at 3:30PM

6B. Collaborative Writing – Pen to Paper
Grades 4-8 (9am – 4pm)
Tuition: $245, DW Member $220.50

This camp is designed for aspiring writers who need that extra nudge from a friend or two to help them formulate their ideas and put them on paper.  Collaborative Writing is an exercise in cooperation throughout the creative process.  Participants will complete a short story, play, for “Bible” for a project that they can continue working on with their groups even once the class is over.

A reading of the week’s work will be presented on Friday July 28th at 3:30PM

6C. TEEN – Making a Musical – Part III Curation
Teen Conservatory (Ages 12-18) (5pm- 8pm)
Tuition: $105, DW Member $94.50

PART III is the conclusion of the series where the rehearsal draft is constructed. Together we will solidify the script, learn music, practice harmonies, make bold character choices, and test the possibilities of our piece in rehearsal and performance. PART III is an excellent opportunity to play, rehearse, sing, dance, and will culminate in the first-ever workshop of this new musical. Be a part of the working pieces of a new musical!

Participants do NOT have to take all 3 Parts.

Week 7: July 31 – August 4     

7A. Movie Musicals
Grades 1-4 / 5-7  (9am-4pm)
Tuition: $245, DW Member $220.50

Campers will learn the fundamentals of singing, dancing, and acting through an exploration of classic movie musicals. Through discipline and artistic expression, students will strengthen and develop their performance skills in a multidisciplinary environment.

A combined sharing will be presented on Friday, August 4 at 3:30 pm.

7B. Concrete Canvas! Part II – Make Your Mark
Grades 2-8 (9am – 4pm)
Tuition: $245, DW Member $220.50

Part II: Make Your Mark at DreamWrights as we beautify part of our 30,000 square feet of canvas with our Mural Arts Initiative. Young artists will go through the process of executing a mural from prep to paint (and clean up!) Be a part of the art that will be seen by our patrons and the public for the next year!

Mural dedication on Friday August 4th at 3:30PM

7C. Costumes; The Making of Matilda (mornings) Cosplay on a Budget (afternoons)
Grades 5-9
Mornings (9am- 12pm) Afternoons (1pm-4pm)
Tuition: $115, DW Members $103.50
Both sessions: $245, DW Member $220.50

Join DreamWrights’ Costume Coordinator Izzy Masquelier on a dual quest of costume creation. Matilda mornings will be designated to the costume design of DreamWrights’ fall mainstage production. Work alongside our costume designer on pieces you can see onstage in action in October. 

Fill your afternoons with fantasy, the art of thrifty shopping, and crafty problem solving. Create your own cost-conscious cos-play outfit for your next themed event or a jump start on Halloween. 

Participants do NOT have to take both parts.

7D. Out of Your Head and Onto Your Shirt: An Intro Into DIY Silk Screen Printing
Grades 5-9  (9am – 4pm)
Tuition: $250, DW Member $225

Participants will create their own designs, cut their own stencils, mix their own inks, and print their own shirts.  Combining basic hand cut stencils with higher definition photo sensitive emulsion stencils, this camp will teach how to design and print t-shirts using the silk screen method.  Each camper will leave with a t-shirt of their own design and one that the whole camp designed.  

All campers must be able to use a sharp exact-o knife for stencil cutting.

Week 8: August 7-11     

8A. Art Through the Ages
Grades 1-3 (9am – 4pm)
Tuition: $245, DW Member $220.50

Ever wonder what goes into making some of the most famous artworks? With a focus on discovery, art history, and collaboration, campers will dive into a variety of painting, drawing, and mixed media methods for creating memorable works of art. From prehistoric cave drawings to Monet’s water lily paintings, there will be something for everyone in this camp!

Sharing open to the public on Friday, August 11th at 3:30.

8B. Photography Camp: Capturing Future Artists
Grades 4-7 (9am – 4pm)
Tuition $245, DW Member $220.50 

This photography course will focus on documenting the art and artists of the other DreamWrights’ camps sessions. Learn the basics for taking the perfect picture, what to look for, and how to edit your work. Additionally, participants will be provided time to give and receive constructive criticism of the group’s work which is an essential element of being a dynamic photographer. 

Participants must provide their own photography gear: camera, iPad, or a Smartphone.

At the end of the week-long session we will have an online photo album to share and a digital gallery exhibition open to the public on Friday, August 11th at 3:30PM 

8C. mini-FRINGE Boot Camp
Grades 12 and up (5pm – 8pm)
Tuition $105, DW Member $94.50 

Be part of the team for DreamWrights inaugural mini-FRINGE Festival this August by learning alongside our Artistic Director, Technical Director, and the mini-FRINGE producer. Learn what it takes to present a week-long theatre festival by doing. Curate the seven different venues with seating, technical equipment, and learn how to operate and execute a tech rehearsal. Anyone over the age of 12 (yes-adults too!) who have a love of live performance and a curiosity of how things work strongly encouraged to sign-up!