LAGUNA PLAYHOUSE is thrilled to announce a series of Youth Theatre Summer Camps, perfect for theatre-loving young people to come, learn and explore their love for theatre this Summer! Youth Theatre Director Donna Inglima comments, “This is our most extensive and exciting series of youth Summer camps ever. Everything from Hamilton to Panto and three amazing, life-changing experiences for kids of all ages!”
ABOUT THE LAGUNA PLAYHOUSE SUMMER CAMP EXPERIENCES!
STORYBOOK SUMMER CAMP – JUNE 10 – 20, 2017 – AGES 7 & 8
What happens when the Big Bad Wolf meets Prince Charming and Cinderella meets Little Red Riding Hood? Come and play in the Fairy Tale mash up where you help create the stories!
Instructors: Jean Altadel and Victoria Spelman, Bethanne Knieser
JEAN ALTADEL is a professional actress, producer and writer and has worked in LA Theatre for a number of years. Jean has worked for the Playhouse for the last seven years as a principal actress in the Playhouse TheatreReach TYA touring productions. She’s currently teaching Acting Fundamentals for the Playhouse. Jean is a graduate of AMDA Los Angeles.
VICTORIA SPELMAN is an actress who has worked at Laguna Playhouse’s Youth Theatre. Some of Victoria’s favorite roles include Bianca in Taming of the Shrew, Patty Simcox in Grease (both at Nevada Conservatory Theatre), and Belle in an original production of Wish Upon A Star at Theatre Wit in Chicago. She loves to teach and is excited to work with the Playhouse Summer Classes.
BETHANIE KNIESER (Laguna Playhouse Associate Director of Youth Theatre) has been with the Laguna Playhouse since 1996. She is a graduate of Professional Actor’s Conservatory and has a BFA in Theatre Performance from the University of Evansville. She studied harp at UE and at The Eastman School of Music. She continues to play the harp as Charlotte in Charlotte’s Web in the Playhouse’s TheatreReach- Bringing Books to Life Program for elementary students. She is co-founder and vocalist with The Girls Next Door 1940’s vocal trio and is a member of Sigma Alpha Iota International Music Fraternity and Actors’ Equity Association. Bethanie is the Associate Director of Youth Theatre, Education and Outreach at the Playhouse where she teaches and administers the youth programs.
HAMILTON AND FRIENDS – MUSICAL THEATRE SUMMER CAMP
JULY 10 – 22, 2017 – AGES 9 – 13
Sing, Dance and time travel through musicals Hamilton, The Sound of Music, Les Miserables, Newsies and more. Learn while performing! Camp includes a ticket to the matinee performance of Hairspray on July 20.
Instructors: Christopher W. Smith, Caren Chato, Bethanie Knieser
CHRISTOPHER W. SMITH is excited to be the Musical Director for the youth summer program here at the Laguna Playhouse. He has been performing as a solo and collaborative artist for over 25 years. Christopher is an accomplished performer with a passion for duo piano work and other collaborations such as musical directing, chamber work, and vocal coaching. Christopher has a long history of working in Musical Theatre as a music director and pianist. Some highlights of productions that he has worked on are: Westside Story (McCoy-Rigby), Les Miserable (Musical Theatre West), Footloose, Crazy for You, Fantasticks and Crazy for You (OCSA), The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Rocky Horror (No Square Theatre), Spring Awakening and Rent (Saddleback College), “13” (Old Town Temecula Theatre). In addition to performing, Christopher enjoys teaching piano, coaching vocalists, and teaching musical theater at The Laguna Playhouse!! Christopher is the Pianist and Director of Choral Music at La Jolla Community Church. He received his Master of Arts degree in Music (Collaborative Piano) from UC Irvine. Christopher currently resides with his wife, Joy, in Laguna Beach, CA.
BETHANIE KNIESER (Laguna Playhouse Associate Director of Youth Theatre) has been with the Laguna Playhouse since 1996. She is a graduate of Professional Actor’s Conservatory and has a BFA in Theatre Performance from the University of Evansville. She studied harp at UE and at The Eastman School of Music. She continues to play the harp as Charlotte in Charlotte’s Web in the Playhouse’s TheatreReach- Bringing Books to Life Program for elementary students. She is co-founder and vocalist with The Girls Next Door 1940’s vocal trio and is a member of Sigma Alpha Iota International Music Fraternity and Actors’ Equity Association. Bethanie is the Associate Director of Youth Theatre, Education and Outreach at the Playhouse where she teaches and administers the youth programs.
PANTO CAMP – JULY 24 – 29 & JULY 31 – AUGUST 5 – AGES 8 – 13
Offers campers aged 8 to 13 the chance to learn the songs, rehearse the moves, polish the jokes, get into costume, and perform in a Panto of their very own!
PANTO CAMP week is capped off by an exclusive Saturday morning showcase starring the youth participants for family and friends, followed by a short reception. Camp Counselors are professional actors who have previous appeared onstage in Pantos at Laguna Playhouse! Panto Camp week is capped off by an exclusive Saturday morning showcase starring Panto Camp participants for family and friends, followed by a short reception. Camp Counselors are professional actors who have previous appeared onstage in Pantos at Laguna Playhouse!
Instructors: Jonathan Meza & Talia Lynn Prairie
JONATHAN MEZA (Silly Billy in Snow White Panto) has done seven productions with the Magical Lythgoe family. Jonathan was born in Los Angeles which is a most appropriate city for his passions. He studied at Philadelphia University of the Arts, and the Moscow Art Theater in Russia before coming back home to start his career. He has been a professional MC for twelve years working with many companies throughout California, and has hosted over a thousand events. Past credits include Muddles in Laguna Playhouse’s Snow White Christmas, The Jumpitz on Nick Jr, Barbie Live in Fairytopia by Mattel, and Anime TV by Comcast. Former professional gamer and voice actor in a number of anime titles and video games you can find him hosting panels and events at conventions in the area. Currently he hosts for Maria Menounos’ Afterbuzz TV and can be found or heard on various commercials. Feel free to follow him on instagram and twitter @kaibacat!
TALIA-LYNN PRAIRIE (Dancer in Snow White and Sleeping Beauty Panto) was raised right here in Southern California, born to entertain she has spent her last 20 years performing. From ballet at age 3 to the VMA stage, to music videos, movies like Cat in the Hat and TV shows like Shake it UP! Most recently, Talia opened her own fitness studio called Bounce Society, located in Costa Mesa. Talia plans to never stop entertaining and educating. You can follow her at @taliamaxine.
ABOUT THE SCHEDULE AND PRICING
STORYBOOK SUMMER CAMP – JUNE 10 – 20, 2017 – AGES 7 & 8
Fee: $200.00 (Early bird discount by April 30).
$225.00 starting May 1
Enrollment Limited to 12 Students
Instructors: Jean Altadel and Victoria Spelman, Bethanie Kniezer
HAMILTON AND FRIENDS – MUSICAL THEATRE SUMMER CAMP – JULY 10 – 22, 2017 – AGES 9 – 13
Fee: $375.00 (Early bird discount by April 30).
$400.00 beginning May 1
Enrollment limited to 18 students
Instructors: Christopher Smith, Caren Chato, Bethanie Knieser
PANTO CAMP – JULY 24 – 29 & JULY 31 – AUGUST 5 – AGES 8 – 13
Session 1: July 24 – 29, 2017
Monday – Friday – 9AM – 3PM – Showcase Performance: July 29 at 11AM Session 2: July 31 – August 5, 2017
Monday – Friday 9AM – 3PM – Showcase Performance: August 5 at 11AM
CAMP RATE $390.00/wk Early Bird Rate now through April 30
$425.00/wk Standard Rate beginning May 1
AVAILABILITY: Space is extremely limited. Only 30 Campers per session!
For more information on all shows and programming visit www.lagunaplayhouse.com. LAGUNA PLAYHOUSE is located at 606 Laguna Canyon Road in Laguna Beach.
Founded in 1920, the historic Laguna Playhouse is one of the oldest continuously-operating not-for-profit theatres on the West Coast and is proud to be an active participant in the celebrated Laguna Beach arts community. From classic plays and musical comedies to the current off-Broadway smash, cutting edge and traditional music exhibitions, dance festivals and stand-up comedy performances, Laguna Playhouse brings the magical experience of the performing arts direct to over 80,000 patrons each season. A member of the League of Resident Theatres, Laguna Playhouse is also home to the annual Laguna Dance Festival, Laguna Beach Music Festival and Laguna Beach Concert Band.
Laguna Playhouse educational programming, includes year-round classes, productions by and for children and teens (Youth Theatre) and is one of the few companies in the region that offer a curriculum-based professional theatre-touring program, TheatreReach, which aligns with the California State Standards for literature, history and performing arts curriculum.
Serving more than 80,000 patrons each season, Laguna Playhouse has been recognized in 2016 and 2015 as one of Orange County Register’s “Best of OC” in the category of Live Theatre. The Playhouse has featured many talented performers on stage, including Leslie Caron, Wendie Malick, Val Kilmer, Ed Asner, Loretta Swit, Dan Lauria, Hershey Felder, Rita Rudner, Harrison Ford, and Bette Davis.
Learn What’s Going On at www.lagunaplayhouse.com.
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