Shakespearean actors lead camp
Workshops at CLU provide stage experience
The Kingsmen Shakespeare Company has been offering its Summer Theatre Camp for 24 years.
(THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – June 12, 2009) The Kingsmen Shakespeare Company will present its popular Summer Theatre Camp at California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks for the 24th year.
In “Beginning Shakespeare,” children will learn basic acting technique, examine the Bard’s life and use of language, and present scenes on the festival stage. “Advanced Shakespeare” is an intensive four-week training that concludes with a performance of an abridged Shakespearean play during the Kingsmen Shakespeare Festival.
Students in “Advanced Acting Techniques” will study techniques ranging from improvisation to stage combat and perform contemporary play scenes before an audience.
Barbara Wegher-Thompson, one of the camp’s original teachers, will return for the second year after an 11-year hiatus to head the “Musical Theatre” workshop. She has been extensively involved with the Young Artists Ensemble and teaches movement and Alexander Technique at CLU. “Musical Theatre” will cover vocal technique and auditioning and culminate with a performance.
All of the workshops are designed to help students develop self-confidence, discipline and acting skills while working with other students as a team.
Actors from Kingsmen Shakespeare Company, the professional theatre company of CLU, provide instruction. Ken Gardner, chair of CLU’s theatre arts department, is in his 17th year as camp director. The 2009 National Playwriting Program Excellence in Education Award recipient has also directed for the Kingsmen’s apprentice company and educational tour.
All workshops are open to children aged 8 to 16. They will be held Monday through Friday on the following dates:
“Beginning Shakespeare”: June 15 through 26, 8 a.m. to noon
“Advanced Acting Techniques”: June 15 through 26, 1 to 5 p.m.
“Beginning Shakespeare”: July 6 through 17, 8 a.m. to noon
“Advanced Shakespeare”: July 6 through 31, 1 to 5 p.m.
“Musical Theatre”: July 20 through 31, 8 a.m. to noon
“Advanced Shakespeare” costs $600. All other workshops are $285.
To register or for more information, visit http://www.kingsmenshakespeare.org, call (805) 493-3455 or e-mail info@kingsmenshakespeare.org.