ASU's Theatre Summer Camps Back to 'In-person' Student Experience- Registration is open now for elementary to college-age students wanting to learn more about the performing arts.
- Three different camps available between May 31 - July 1 for on and off-stage learning.
- A 'face-to-face' experience with COVID safety protocols in place.
By Kenneth Mullinax/ASU.
If you believe that "All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players," as William Shakespeare wrote, then Alabama State University has three different and distinct theatre summer camps, which are right up your alley.
ASU's College of Visual and Performing Arts (COVPA) has opened its registration for all three of its 2022 “ASU Performing Arts Summer Camps.” The camps offer training, instruction and fun for youth, whether they seek professional instruction in acting onstage, working in production backstage, or in any of the other skills and professions that support the arts. The camps are also open for those who just want to have fun, explained Dr. Wendy R. Coleman, dean of COVPA.
“We, along with the ASU administration, are cautiously optimistic that our summer camps can return to campus this year. We understand that there will be COVID-19 adjustments, but we are still very excited to work with the youth in person again and to have live finale performances,” said Coleman, who also serves as the executive director of the ASU Summer Performing Arts Camps (summer theatre camps).
REGISTER EARLY
Coleman, herself a gifted singer and actor, shared that COVPA has begun accepting applications for its summer camps and that applications may be submitted online at www.covpaevents.com
"I would strongly advise that parents or students should register as soon as possible because enrollment is limited and demand will be high for these acclaimed camps, which haven't been able to operate in-person for more than two years due to the COVID pandemic," Coleman stated.
30-YEAR HISTORY WITH THREE DIFFERENT & DISTINCT SUMMER CAMPS
ASU's summer theatre camps have a 30-year history at the University that began under the leadership of Dr. Tommie “Tonea” Stewart, who originated and led them as the dean of COVPA until her retirement in 2019.
The program consists of three distinct summer camps:
* T.A.P.S. (Theatre Artist Performance School) serves children ages 6-12 and is dedicated to activities that foster cultural and intellectual growth through creative and performing arts.
* Camp 3T (Teaching through Theatre) serves youth ages 13-18 and is designed to build character, self-confidence and self-discipline through the performing arts. Camp 3T participants spend lots of time on campus and are housed in student residence halls. Its students produce a full-length show at the end of the week, which is open to the public.
* Camp G.I.F.T.E.D. (Giving Individuals Freedom to Express Diversity) serves individuals ages 13-21 and is a performing arts initiative for persons with disabilities. This program provides an opportunity to define, expose, and validate the innate talents of youth with disabilities through involvement in music, dance, and acting; regardless of the degree of their disability.
* Note that COVID safety protocols will be in place for all three camps and that ASU is a mask-mandatory campus.
SHORT FILMS (NEW TO PROGRAM)
During the height of the COVID pandemic, the summer theatre camps were combined to create a program called V-P.A.C.E. (Virtual Performing Arts Camp Experience) which allowed Zoom instruction in acting, singing, and dancing.
"Our V-P.A.C.E. camp culminated in short films that premiered on Youtube during the height of the pandemic in both 2020 and 2021. The summer camps will again offer some elements of it during the in-person camps this summer," Coleman said.
For more information or questions, call: 334-229-6755 or 334-229-6929.
Online applications may be submitted at www.covpaevents.com
News media contact: Kenneth Mullinax, 334-229-4104.
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