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Re: Mixed sports summer camp for 13-year-old
I hope this review for Stage Door Conservatory doesnt come too
late for parents deciding on camp and im not sure if there are
even spaces left but id feel remiss if i did give my
recommendation for the camp that my 13 year old daughter has
attended for the past two summers and is looking SO forward to
this summer. In fact, she loves Stage Door so much that she
forgoes the 3 other camps that used to make up her summer. The
quality of the instruction is obvious, as is the passion and
commitment engendered in the kids, and the 3-day production is
surprisingly professional. But what I (and my daughter) most
admire about Stage Door is the emphasis placed on the less
tangible: heart, spirit, brotherhood, solidarity, emotional
connection. If you ask me, fostering these should be curriculum
above all else in our schools and Simon (director) and
his ''staff'' are master teachers. My daughter feels belonging
here like nowhere else. I couldnt recommend the camp more
highly. I only wish it were a full time school.
Brook
I became involved as the General Manger of Stage Door
Conservatory in 2003 after seeing my step-son in one of
organization's Kids On Stage productions. At the time he was in
4th grade, playing the role of Schlemazel in ''Schlemazel Goes
to Paradise.'' As I watched him, I felt a swell of sheer joy as
he did unabashedly what I had always wanted to do myself, but
had always been too shy to try: sing his heart out - even if he
was a bit off-key.
It was especially inspiring because he did this as a child with
Tourette's syndrome with some fears about how he was perceived
by others. On stage, and with the support of our staff, he
found a way to express his own special talent and over the
years, something very important happened -- he started becoming
more confident and skillful, not only as a young person, but as
an artist. I can truly say that Stage Door Conservatory has
been one of the most positive and formative influences in his
life - one that he will carry as a resource inside him as
ventures forth in his life both as a young adult
and performer
If you are seeking a summer program for your child, I urge you
to consider enrolling him or her in Stage Door Conservatory
this coming summer. If you do, your child will certainly learn
and grow V and have the experience of a life-time!
-Rawna
March 2009
Stage Door is a blast. A total tribal experience. it would be a
great first introduction to theater and musical theater for any
young person.
lauries
Re: Drama Classes/Camp for 13 year old
Has anyone had experience with YMTC (Youth Musical Theater
Company) or have any suggestions for a great theater
experience for a 13 year old boy during the summer or school
year? Thanks.
Drama Mama
I also wanted to put a very big recommendation in for Stage Door
Conservatory, if your child has any interest at all in a really
supportive and fun theater arts camp. There is a 2 week commitment
for younger children and a 6 week commitment for middle school and
high school students. (Three separate camps.) The middle school kids
will be performing Hairspray this summer. This is a fabulous summer
program that is very bonding for the kids. They learn about creating
together, acting, singing, dancing, stage sets, props, costumes, etc.
The final productions are always over-the-top amazing. Our daughters
are returning after a great experience last summer participating in
Bye, Bye Birdie. More information at this link:
http://www.stagedoorconservatory.org/
Sharon
May 2009
May 2009
Jan 2009
It's true that for most programs, a kid often has to
start with supporting roles at first, however my son has
been doing drama camps and programs during summers and
schoolyear for the last 5 years - he's 14 now, and has
always had a total blast and learned a lot, sometimes in the
chorus or in small roles, sometimes getting bigger ones. And
even those in the chorus are usually on stage quite a lot. I
HIGHLY recommend both the programs he's been involved in
(both in Berkeley: Stage Door - no audition
necessary (www.stagedoorconservatory.org) and YMTC - by
audition (www.ymtcberkeley.org).
laurie
May 2008
I highly recommend TEENS ON STAGE which will be offered by
STAGE DOOR CONSERVATORY for six weeks from June 30 until
August 8. The program is for 8th - 12th graders with all
levels of experience and will be producing a fully staged
production of ANYTHING GOES this summer at JULIA MORGAN
CENTER in Berkeley. For more information, please see our
website at stagedoorconservatory.org. We would also be
happy to give you the names and numbers of alumni if you
would be interested! All the best, Rawna
Rawna
Editor Note: Recommendations were also received for Youth Musical Theater Company
Hello, My twelve year old has just announced that she doesn't want to attend the eight- week camp that she has been going to for the past four summers any more. I told her that that was fine, but that we had to find something else regular -- the main problem being that I work all day. I've checked the archive for summer camps, but most of the entries for girls her age are fairly old. I'm looking for suggestions for day or overnight summer camps for pre teens. She is very academic and loves math, science, and reading, though likely wouldn't want to go to summer school; is physical and enjoys the outdoors, though has never really enjoyed team sports. The camp she has been attending is a drama camp; she has loved it, but most of her friends are leaving this year as well. I think though, that she would be open to trying something else in the performing arts. Please help. Thanks! anon.
Also recommended: Bar 717 Ranch, Girls on the Go, Monkey Business Camp
Has anyone sent their child to the Stage Door Conservatory Summer Camps held at the Epworth Church in Berkeley? I am thinking of sending my daughter to the 2-week camp for grades 3- 5. Was it worthwhile for your child? Did you find a way to arrange any after-care, since the camps end at 3:30?
I'm sorry if your son and his friend had a bad time (are you SURE it was our camp? There are several other East Bay drama programs with similar names to Kids OnStage). The feedback we've gotten since we started 4 years ago has been overwhelmingly positive.
Please feel free to contact me directly. Stage Door Conservatory StageDoorCamp AT aol.com Debbie Grossman, General Manager
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