Two young actors learn the ropes at Cape May Stage's summer program

‘Summer on Stage’ Shakespeare:YouthStyle promises to be bigger, better, and extra special as Cape May Stage’s Education Outreach Department builds on the wild success of last season’s popular summer theatre camp.

This summer, Mondays through Fridays July 21 to Aug. 9, ‘Summer on Stage’ students will have exclusive one-on-one instruction from top-notch professionals with creative group sessions in two week-long intensive acting camps. This season, students will enjoy being Groundlings or Nobles and some may even be Apprentices as they adapt, design, and perform a Shakespearean play from their point of view.

Selected by last year’s participants, this year’s camps will focus on William Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night’s Dream." Instructors will focus students on techniques in acting, covering classical to contemporary styles, creative writing, and concepts in theatrical design, as well as encouraging them to express themselves through improvisation and performance. The
‘Summer on Stage’ camps will culminate with live performances of "A Midsummer Night’s Dream:YouthStyle" on the final day of each series.

Cape May Stage’s, Education Outreach Coordinator, Jessica Perich-Carleton, is thrilled to bring back ‘Summer on Stage’ in historic Cape May for another season.

“Last year’s series was very successful.” Perich-Carleton exclaims. “We are really excited about the new sessions being offered in this year’s camp.”

The Groundlings camp (ages 9-13) meets Monday, July 21 – Saturday, July 26, from 10 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Groundlings will perform Shakespeare on a professional stage and will learn contemporary acting techniques as well as Shakespearean language. On July 26th, the end of the intensive performing arts camp, participants will perform selected scenes from "A Midsummer’s Night's Dream" speaking the original Shakespeare verse. The cost is $225 per student.

The Nobles camp (ages 10-18) meets Monday, July 28 – Saturday, Aug. 9, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nobles will take classes focusing on the language of Shakespeare and Shakespeare performance, acting for both classical and contemporary styles, and scenic design and construction. The cost of the Nobles camp is $400 per student. The final performance for the Nobles will
be Saturday, Aug. 9.

The Apprenticeship program, which is new this year, is designed to give students (ages 16 and older) the opportunity to experience theatre as a professional artist and teacher. The apprentice will shadow a mentor teacher in the field of theatre performance or Shakespeare acting skills as well as casting and directing a scene for the final presentation. The camp week,
July 21 – July 26, will meet Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. -1:30 p.m. The apprentice will receive a half scholarship for the Nobles camp occurring the following two weeks. Each apprentice will receive $200 off the cost of the Nobles camp. Apprentices will only pay $200 for the entire camp.

‘Summer on Stage’ classes will be held at the Robert Shackleton Playhouse at the corner of Bank and Lafayette Streets in downtown Cape May. All children with interest in the arts are encouraged to take advantage of this unique opportunity. Space is limited.

Sign up forms for all Summer On Stage opportunities are currently available on www.capemaystage.com. For reservations, contact Jessica Perich-Carleton, Education Coordinator for Cape May Stage, at (609) 884-1341 x7 or visit
www.capemaystage.com for more information.