Camp Shakespeare teacher Kate Kennedy watches as Jessica Harper, Ben Marcus-Willers and Charlie Gray recite “To be, or not to be” from Hamlet.
In the summer camps of yesteryear, a young person could look forward to spending his or her time in a musky cabin overrun with more mysterious critters and blood-thirsty insects than can be found in a Discovery Channel documentary. The camp would offer strenuous athletic activities, life-altering arts and crafts, and mystery meat. Camp counselors sometimes acted like drill sergeants. Campers were roused from their bunks at the crack of dawn. It wasn’t always pretty.
Wow, have summer camps changed.
Sonoma’s young people need only carpool or bicycle over to the Sebastiani Theatre to join a new variety of camp experience.
Now in its amazing 14th year, the Performing Arts Camp allows kids an opportunity to explore their creativity through exciting theatrical endeavors. The three unique camps are a part of Pinnacle Outdoor Adventures, which has been involved in children’s adventures and learning for 21 years.
The summer sessions make full use of the facilities within the Sebastiani Theatre as well as those of the Sonoma Ballet Conservatory and the Sonoma Community Center.
Seasoned actress and enthusiastic teacher Kate Kennedy will inspire her students with the three programs: Camp Shakespeare, Performing Arts Camp and Script to Stage and Screen.
Each course culminates in at least one fully staged performance. The students perform all the duties, including technical jobs. There are always adult professionals on hand to assist.
There is plenty for participants to learn. Many have returned again and again. A talented stable of performers has emerged, but Kate makes certain everyone has the opportunity to test new creative waters.
Camp Shakespeare
Camp Shakespeare, the first of this summer’s programs, kicked off Monday; it runs through July 6.
Its students will leap into the Bard’s work, with casting occurring during the first couple of classes. The outcome of this year’s “Camp Shakespeare” will be “The Best of the Bard – Lovers, Kings, Villains and Fools.” Performances will take place on July 6, 7 and 8 at 7 p.m. at Gundlach Bundschu Winery. Admission is $12.
When asked about the unlikely pairing of kids and Shakespeare, Kate offered, “It was the kids who made that decision for me. The Avalon Players often used kids in production, and they were continually expressing a desire for larger roles. It’s delightful to witness these talented kids spout Shakespeare. Many parents come away simply amazed that their soccer-obsessed kid had become so quickly taken with the Bard’s words.”
Performing Arts Camp
Performing Arts Camp is searching for daytime campers who wish to share their talents and hone new and exciting skills. Beginning July 23, kids aged five and older can sign up for classes that will meet 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Monday – Friday. Improvisation, tap dancing, jazz, movement, magic, juggling, puppetry, costume creation, stilt-walking, and tumbling are some of the skills that students can learn. Family and friends are invited to a showcase of the children’s talents, on Saturday, Aug. 4.
Script to Screen
Choreographer Amee Alioto and dance instructor Molly Molofsky join forces with Kate to teach kids ages 10 and older about the entire acting process with Script to Stage and Screen. During weekday classes that run Aug. 6 – 17, young creatives will focus on developing skills that all actors and dancers need to deliver a star performance. The end result will be a stage performance of songs from “Chicago,” “Chorus Line,” “Grease” and “Guys and Dolls,” on Aug. 17 at the Sebastiani Theatre.
“I hope the kids take away a great sense of camaraderie after working really hard,” explained Kate. “My goal with these kids is for them to reach the point where at any moment they can pull out anything a director might want.”
Performing Arts Camp will meet Monday – Friday, 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., July 23 – Aug. 3 and is for ages five and older. Tuition is $450 – $470 with a $150 deposit. “Script to Stage and Screen” will meet Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. and is for ages 10 and older. Tuition is $410 with a $150 deposit.
For more information, contact Kim Rhoten at 707.933.8140 or e-mail her at kimberly@rhotenproductions.com. You can also learn more at www.rhotenproductions.com and www.sonomashakespeare.com.
