What is Theater Camp?
This new kids’ theater camp will two-weeks long and based on Wheaton College’s own theater company, Workout. Workout has been around for 50 years and practices theater through ensemble-based games and exercises. We seek to serve Christ and others as we make theatrical stories. This camp will be a two-week version of what has been happening in Arena Theater for half a century!
Who will lead it?
Under the supervision of the program director, Andy Mangin, our summer kids camp will be led by recent grad Lilia Smith ('20) who combines a love of theater, kids, and God with her infectious energy and humor for what will surely be a memorable two weeks. Lilia will be assisted by undergrads and recent grads from Arena Theater. For more about Lilia, please see below.
This year (summer 2024), the camp will be for students entering 5th grade up to 10th grade. In future years, we will try to make it possible for kids of all ages. Space is limited so please register as soon as you can.
What will the days look like?
Our days will be full! During our 3 hours together, students will learn:
- theater games and exercises
- vocal and physical warm up exercises
- vocal and physical techniques for storytelling and character building
- acting styles using scripted scenes and improvisation
- story-building techniques
Students will collaborate in small and large groups, using their newfound skills, to devise a unique piece of ensemble theater created entirely by the students that they will perform on the final day of the two-week camp. This year’s camp is July 8-19, 2024. Camp is weekdays from 9am-12pm. Cost for the two weeks is $350. Please fill out the registration form below.
Payment is due at the time of registration. Checks and registration must be in by June 14, 2024. For more information, please contact Andy Mangin at andy.mangin@wheaton.edu
Register Now!
More on Lilia
"I am a Workout grad from the class of 2020. I have spent three years in different teaching capacities (whether that be teaching K-12th youth theater with React Theater in Indianapolis, teaching a Pre-K class, or multiple youth theater summer camps all over Indiana). I am currently an actress in downtown Chicago. You might have seen me in recent productions of Shakespeare in the Park here in Wheaton! I’ll be there again this year. I am learning how to bake bread (I missed that bandwagon during the quarantine but I’m jumping on now), and I love exploring different ways we can foster the growth of confidence and self-empowerment in youth through theatre."