Summer Camps 2023
Registration opens Saturday, March 4, 2023 @ 8:00 a.m.
Sunset Playhouse School for the Arts offers a variety of summer camp opportunities
for students age 4 – 5 and entering 1st – 10th grades.
PLEASE NOTE: For our 1/2 day camps you can add on a 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm lunch & recess to your camp for $10/student (meal not provided)
(sometimes this can make your week a full day camp).
Camps are listed below in order of 1/2 day camp and then Full Day Performance Camps by age/grade.
Camps for Students Ages 4 – 5 year old
Summer Sun (4-5 yr)
June 12 – 16 @ 9:00 – 12:00
$140/student
Fun in the sun! Swimming, camp fires, beaches, and picnics…all the fun that fills your summer days. Students will enjoy dramatic play, story enactment, imagination journeys, theater games, singing, music, and movement. Think of it as a little bit of acting, a little bit of singing, a little bit of dancing, and a whole lot of fun. Students will take family and friends on a summer adventure on the final day of camp. Showcase at 11:15 on Friday.
Out of This World (4-5 yr)
June 26 – 30 @ 9:00 – 12:00
$140/student
3…2…1…Blast Off! Explore outer space and discover a world full of stars, aliens, planets, and spaceships. Students will enjoy dramatic play, story enactment, imagination journeys, theater games, singing, music, and movement. Think of it as a little bit of acting, a little bit of singing, a little bit of dancing, and a whole lot of fun. Students will take family and friends on an outer space journey on the final day of camp. Showcase at 11:30 on Friday.
Monster Mayhem (4-5 yr)
July 31 – August 4 @ 9:00 – 12:00
$140/student
Monsters aren’t mean, they’re just misunderstood. Be a wild thing, solve the mystery of Bigfoot, or create your own monster in this not-so-scary class. Each class is a new adventure for students filled with dramatic play, story enactment, imagination journeys, theater games, visual arts, music, and movement. Think of it as a little bit of acting, a little bit of singing, a little bit of dancing, and a whole lot of fun. Students will show family and friends their monster moves on the final day of camp. Showcase at 11:30 on Friday.
On the Farm (4-5 yr)
August 7 – 11 @ 9:00 – 12:00
$140/student
Old MacDonald had a farm and your child can be a part of it. From the cow to the barn cat to the messy pigs, the farmyard bustles with life. Each class is a new adventure for students filled with dramatic play, story enactment, visual arts, music, and movement. Think of it as a little bit of acting, a little bit of singing, a little bit of dancing, and a whole lot of fun. Students will show their families what happens on their farm on the final day of camp. Showcase at 11:30 on Friday.
Camps for Students Entering Grades 1 – 3
Flipped Fairytales (entering 1 – 3 grade)
June 12 – 16 @ 1:00 – 4:00
$140/student
Students will re-imagine familiar stories like Cinderella and Beauty and the Beast with surprising new characters, settings, and problems. Perhaps you will meet kind stepsisters or wolves who serve treats as you find out who is the bravest of them all. Students will use movement, acting, storytelling, and arts and crafts to act out these brand-new tales. These flipped fairy tales will debut at a showcase for family and friends on the final day of camp. Showcase at 3:30 on Friday.
A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes (entering 1 – 3 grade)
June 26 – 30 @ 1:00 – 4:00
$140/student
Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King, The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, Mary Poppins, The Jungle Book, Tarzan . . . the list goes on and on. Students will work with their favorite Disney productions to explore all aspects of theater including acting, movement, scene design, and costume design. Each day we’ll go on a grand adventure using Disney classics as a springboard and expand our ability to tell a story using the tools of every actor: our voice, body, and imagination. On the final day of camp students will perform a Disney-inspired mini-production. Showcase at 3:30 on Friday.
Musical Theater (entering 1 – 3 grade)
July 10 – 14 @ 9:00 – 12:00
$140/student
This class introduces vocal technique, movement, and acting skills through some of Broadway’s most popular musicals. Working on material from the Great White Way will build the confidence and skill of young performers. Students will put their singing, dancing, and acting skills together to present a Broadway-like performance for family and friends on the last day of class. Explore the magic of musical theater! *please note this will be a different showcase from the July 24 camp* Showcase at 11:30 on Friday.
Nature Explorers (entering 1 – 3 grade)
July 10 – 14 @ 1:00 – 4:00
$140/student
Take a walk on the wild side. Dive deep into the natural world to encounter animals and insects big and small in places big and small! On this imaginative adventure, students build characters and create environments through collaborative storytelling, all while using the tools of every actor: our voice, body, and imagination. On the final day of camp family and friends are invited to view a new and creative nature show. Showcase at 3:30 on Friday.
Musical Theater (entering 1 – 3 grade)
July 24 – 28 @ 9:00 – 12:00
$140/student
This class introduces vocal technique, movement, and acting skills through some of Broadway’s most popular musicals. Working on material from the Great White Way will build the confidence and skill of young performers. Students will put their singing, dancing, and acting skills together to present a Broadway-like performance for family and friends on the last day of class. Explore the magic of musical theater! *please note this will be a different showcase from the July 10 camp* Showcase at 11:30 on Friday.
Spy School (entering 1 – 3 grade)
July 24 – 28 @ 1:00 – 4:00
$140/student
The Sunset Spy School is in session! Create your super spy persona, complete spy training, build spy gadgets, and design your own top-secret mission. Students will expand our ability to tell a story using the tools of every actor: our voice, body, and imagination. Family and friends will be allowed in on this top-secret mission on the final day. Showcase at 3:30 on Friday.
A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes (entering 1 – 3 grade)
July 31 – August 4 @ 1:00 – 4:00
$140/student
Shrek!, Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King, The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, Mary Poppins, The Jungle Book, Tarzan . . . the list goes on and on. Students will work with their favorite Disney productions to explore all aspects of theater including acting, movement, scene design, and costume design. Each day we’ll go on a grand adventure using Disney classics as a springboard and expand our ability to tell a story using the tools of every actor: our voice, body, and imagination. On the final day of camp, students will perform a Disney-inspired mini-production. Showcase at 3:30 on Friday.
Once Upon a Time
August 7 – 11 @ 9:00 – 12:00
$140/student
This class is designed to ignite the playwrights and actors in us all. You’ll learn how to create a believable
character, basic theater terminology, and how to build a scene. Students will create their own characters and then rehearse an original skit complete with dialogue, costumes, and props to perform for family and friends. Showcase at 11:30 on Friday.
Center Stage: Magic Tree House
August 7 – 11 @ 1:00 – 4:00
$140/student
This foundation class is the perfect introduction to the world of theater. Students will use theater games and exercises to explore the basics of acting while learning ensemble-building skills and gaining self-confidence. We will travel to the prehistoric past, visit ancient Egypt, and explore King Arthur’s court. Where else will we journey together? Students will perform a play for family and friends on the last day of camp. Showcase at 3:30 on Friday.
Camps for Students Entering Grades 4 – 6
Live Art
June 12 – 16 @ 9:00 – 12:00
$140/student
Bring art to life! Students will use famous paintings by artists like Seurat, Picasso, and Monet as the basis for imaginative play. Each day we will study a new painting and bring it to life with storytelling, pantomime, music, movement, and our own art projects. This week will be filled with acting, dancing, creative movement, and visual arts. A great imagination is required for this exciting camp! On the final day, family and friends are invited to a live gallery showing. Showcase at 11:30 on Friday.
Adventures in Wonderland for Kids
June 12 – 16 @ 1:00 – 4:00
$140/student
“Curiouser and curiouser”… who will you be? Alice? The Mad Hatter? The villainous Queen of Hearts? Students will work on a fun and fast-paced 15-minute version of Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Using movement, acting, storytelling, plus arts and crafts, students will bring to life a delightfully fun rendition of this classic story, performing it for family and friends on the final day. Showcase at 3:30 on Friday.
Incredible Improv
June 26 – 30 @ 9:00 – 12:00
$140/student
“yes, and…” This class is designed to foster creative thinking through the art of improvisation, build confidence, and have a lot of fun! Learn to trust your instinct, make quick decisions, and create characters and situations spontaneously. Challenging theater games and exercises will be used to encourage each student’s creative and listening skills. Final class will demonstrate student’s work. Showcase at 11:30 on Friday.
A Journey with Roald Dahl
June 26 – 30 @ 1:00 – 4:00
$140/student
Bring a world of giant peaches or revolting children or BFGs to life! This fun format introduces students to warm-ups, stage direction, theater etiquette, character analysis, scene work, and more while learning team-building skills and gaining self-confidence. Students will work as an ensemble to perform scenes from Roald Dahl’s classic stories, while exploring important technical aspects of theater: costumes, set, and props. On the final day, students perform a selection of Roald Dahl-inspired scenes. Showcase at 3:30 on Friday.
Coming Soon to a Theater Near You!
July 24 – 28 @ 9:00 – 12:00
$140/student
Let’s create a movie trailer for a film that doesn’t exist except in your imagination! Students will develop ideas for their own movie trailers, creating their own original big screen concept to advertise. Theater games and exercises will help to inspire original stories, characters, situations, and eventually scripts. Students will put their work into creating an original movie trailer and perform them live. Showcase at 11:30 on Friday.
Jukebox Musical
July 24 – 28 @ 1:00 – 4:00
$140/student
A jukebox musical uses previously-released popular songs as its score…Rock Of Ages, Jersey Boys, Mama Mia, Motown: The Musical, to name a few. During this session students will partner with the instructor to create their own jukebox musical scene. Working with a popular song, students will write a scene in which the song is included, sing it, and learn choreography to go with it. They will present their original musical for family and friends during the final session. Showcase at 3:30 on Friday.
Musical Theater
July 31 – August 4 @ 9:00 – 12:00
$140/student
This class introduces vocal technique, movement, and acting skills through some of Broadway’s most popular musicals. Working on material from the Great White Way will build the confidence and skill of young performers. Students will put their singing, dancing, and acting skills together to present a Broadway-like performance for family and friends on the last day of class. Explore the magic of musical theater! Showcase at 11:30 on Friday.
It’s an Original
August 7 – 11 @ 1:00 – 4:00
$140/student
This class is designed to ignite the playwrights and actors in us all. You’ll learn how to create a believable
character, basic theater terminology, and how to build a scene. Students will create their own characters and then rehearse an original skit complete with dialogue, costumes, and props to perform for family and friends. Showcase at 11:30 on Friday.
Camps for Students Entering Grades 7 – 10
Costume Design and Theatrical Makeup
June 12 – 16 @ 9:00 – 12:00
$140/student
There are so many facets to putting on a production. The technical aspects of theater include (but are not limited to) set design and construction, costume design, lighting design, and prop design/construction. This hands-on class will introduce students to the costume design process and the art of theatrical makeup. The students will design, create, and execute costume and makeup design for characters from popular Broadway musicals. Showcase at 11:15 on Friday.
Stage Combat
June 12 – 16 @ 1:00 – 4:00
$140/student
Stage combat instruction teaches skills of collaboration, control, partnering, presentation, and evaluation. From pratfalls to faces slammed in doors, from a simple push to an intricate battle, students will learn safe techniques of physical comedy and drama, along with character acting and storytelling. By the end of the week students will create an epic battle and perform it for family and friends. Showcase at 3:15 on Friday.
Incredible Improv
July 10 – 14 @ 9:00 – 12:00
$140/student
“yes, and…” This class is designed to foster creative thinking through the art of improvisation, build confidence, and to have a lot of fun! Learn to trust your instincts, make quick decisions, and create characters and situations spontaneously. Challenging theater games and exercises will be used to encourage each student’s creative and listening skills. Final class will showcase student’s work. Showcase at 11:30 on Friday.
Musical Theater
July 10 – 14 @ 1:00 – 4:00
$140/student
This class introduces vocal technique, movement, and acting skills through some of Broadway’s most popular musicals. Working on material from the Great White Way will build the confidence and skill of young performers. Students will put their singing, dancing, and acting skills together to present a Broadway-like performance for family and friends on the last day of class. Explore the magic of musical theater! Showcase at 3:30 on Friday.
Jukebox Musical
July 31 – August 4 @ 1:00 – 4:00
$140/student
A jukebox musical uses previously-released popular songs as its score…Rock Of Ages, Jersey Boys, Mama Mia, Motown: The Musical…to name a few. During this session, students will partner with the instructor to create their own jukebox musical scene. Working with a popular song, students will write a scene in which the song is included, sing it, and learn choreography to go with it. They will present their original musical for family and friends during the final session. Showcase at 3:30 on Friday.
Production Camps for Students Entering Grades 1 – 8
Snow White’s Happy Ever After
Entering Grades 1 – 8
June 19 – 23
M-TH @ 9:00 – 4:00 & F @ 9:00 – 6:30
Performances Friday @ 2:30 pm & 5:30 pm
$275/student
This classic children’s tale comes to life at Sunset Playhouse with a spin. Our musical will follow a very similar line to the traditional story but is updated for a modern audience and tells the tale of Snow White after she met her prince–her happy ever after. A variety of characters help bring this story to life. Camp participants will learn about auditioning and then try out for our musical (everyone is cast.) Next, participants will hone their acting, singing, and dancing skills and have a lot of fun rehearsing the production. Finally, we will perform our production of Snow White’s Happy Ever After on Friday for family and friends.
Snow White’s Happy Ever After
Entering Grades 1 – 8
July 17 – 21
M-TH @ 9:00 – 4:00 & F @ 9:00 – 6:30
Performances Friday @ 2:30 pm & 5:30 pm
$275/student
This classic children’s tale comes to life at Sunset Playhouse with a spin. Our musical will follow a very similar line to the traditional story but is updated for a modern audience and tells the tale of Snow White after she met her prince–her happy ever after. A variety of characters help bring this story to life. Camp participants will learn about auditioning and then try out for our musical (everyone is cast.) Next, participants will hone their acting, singing, and dancing skills and have a lot of fun rehearsing the production. Finally, we will perform our production of Snow White’s Happy Ever After on Friday for family and friends.
Production Camps for Students Entering Grades 4 – 6
Entering Grades 4 – 6
July 10 – 14
Mon – Thurs 9:00 – 4:00
Fri 9:00 – 5:00 (performance at 5:00 p.m.)
$275/student
Students will audition and rehearse the play Channeling Grimm by Tracy Wells. Students will perform for family and friends on Friday at 5:00 p.m.
The Grimm Brothers have hit the small screen! Cameron doesn’t know what to write for an honors English assignment on the fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm. Luckily, friend Jaime has the solution… watch TV versions of the tales! But when Cameron points the unusual looking remote at the screen expecting Netflix or Apple TV, instead they find the wackiest assortment of fairy-tale themed programming! There’s a Project Runway style competition show called “Project Ballgown,” a Frog Prince soap opera called “The Green and the Beautiful,” a game show hosted by Magic Mirror called, ”Who’s The Fairest One of All?,” and a sitcom starring Rumplestiltskin!
Entering Grades 4 – 6
August 7 – 11
Mon – Thurs 9:00 – 4:00
Fri 9:00 – 5:00 (performance at 5:00 p.m.)
$275/student
Students will audition and rehearse the play Folk Tails Animal Stories From Around the World by Lisa L. Abbott. Students will perform for family and friends on Friday at 5:00 p.m.
Monkeys and turtles and coyotes — oh, my! This delightful group of tales told by narrators and animal actors, introduces the audience to tales from around the world like: Anansi’s Dinner Guest, Bremen Town Musicians and Why There Are No Tigers in Borneo to name a few.
Production Camps for Students Entering Grades 7 – 10
Entering Grades 7 – 10
June 26 – 30
Mon – Thurs 9:00 – 4:00
Fri 9:00 – 5:00 (performance at 5:00 p.m.)
$275/student
Students will audition and rehearse the play Stage Parents by Don Zolidis. Students will perform for family and friends on Friday at 5:00 p.m.
A lot goes into putting on a play, but learning lines and hanging lights are a picnic compared to the drama that comes with stage parents. Of course, you have no idea what that’s like in your theatre program. But as opening night for Ms. Robin’s production of Medea approaches, she must try to lead the student cast through rehearsal while fending off stage parents of all stripes: from the backseat directors trying to take over, to the amateur documentarians who can’t let a move go unrecorded, to the overzealous guardians of the concession stand. The parents step into the spotlight they crave for their precious progeny in this spirited, tongue-in-cheek comedy.
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Entering Grades 7 – 10
July 24 – 28
Mon – Thurs 9:00 – 4:00
Fri 9:00 – 5:00 (performance at 5:00 p.m.)
$275/student
Students will audition and rehearse the play Complaint Department and Lemonade by Kamron Klitgaard. Students will perform for family and friends on Friday at 5:00 p.m.
People will complain about anything — not almost anything, but absolutely anything!
In this rapid succession of hysterical grievances, the complaint department takes on everything from Oreo icing to kleptomania and from songs stuck in the head to the price of cheese and on and on and on. Could there be a glimmer of hope for anyone in charge of a complaint department?
Entering Grades 7 – 10
July 31 – August 4
Mon – Thurs 9:00 – 4:00
Fri 9:00 – 5:00 (performance at 5:00 p.m.)
$275/student
Students will audition and rehearse the play Finding Corey Taylor by Tracy Wells. Students will perform for family and friends on Friday at 5:00 p.m.
A dramedy. Corey is lost. It’s the day of her high school graduation and her unsigned yearbook confirms what she already suspects…no one knows who Corey Taylor is. And how can she blame them when Corey hardly knows herself? When her best friend, Reese, suggests a road trip across America to meet other people named Corey Taylor, Corey reluctantly agrees, and embarks on the trip of a lifetime, hoping that in finding other Corey Taylors, she’ll also find herself. Each scene takes Corey to a new part of America-from a rustic home in Possum Trot, KY, to backstage at a cabaret theater in NYC, to the home of a reclusive author in Lebanon, KA, to a bohemian colony in Austin, TX, to a wide open ranch in Sioux Falls, SD. But it’s a surprise last minute stop that puts everything in focus for Corey, and she learns that finding herself is a journey, not a destination.
Summer Camp Cancellation Policy: Full refund of the course tuition and processing fee will be made if Sunset Playhouse School for the Arts cancels a scheduled class for any reason. If a student cancels out of a camp 7 days before the first day (one week before on Monday), a full refund of the course tuition will be made (minus the $5 processing fee to cover administration costs). No refunds or tuition credits are given starting on the Tuesday (6 days) before the first day of camp.