Saturday, January 5, 2019
9:45 a.m. – 12:35 p.m.*
Check-in starts at 9:15 a.m.
Registration is FREE!


Please select sample camps based on your child's rising grade level (their grade in Fall 2019) or the age they will be in Fall 2019. Descriptions for all sample camps available below.

While this event is geared toward families with children Age 3.5 - Grade 9, please note that Imagination Stage Summer Camps have options for ages 3.5-18.

The annual Summer Camp Sampler is a great way to get a taste of what camps are like at Imagination Stage before registering! Children and parents can try out a variety of camp titles and theatrical disciplines in 20-45 minute segments, as well as speak with the Education staff about our program offerings. Additionally, our Digital Media Studio will be open for those interested in Imagination Stage's filmmaking program.

Parents of campers in grade 2 or younger are encouraged to join the sample camps. Parents of campers in grade 3 or older are welcome to observe the sample camps, but their presence in the classroom is not required. All parents are required to stay in the building while their child is attending a sampler.

AGE 3.5 - GRADE K

Pirates and Mermaids
Age 3.5 - Grade K
9:45 a.m. - 10:05 a.m.
Sampler #1

A vast ye matees! Batten down the hatches and beware of the mystical mermaids and tricky pirates that dwell in this creative drama camp. Join us as we adventure on the high seas and use our actor’s tools (body, voice, mind, and imagination) to explore stories about ocean adventures. Each day in this camp, our trained Early Childhood teaching team leads campers in an exploration of a seaworthy story, followed by mini-lessons in drama, art, song, instrument play, or movement to bring the story to life. These play-based lessons build an arts vocabulary as students embody each day's exciting new characters and settings.


Rumble in the Jungle
Age 3.5 - Grade K
10:15 a.m. - 10:35 a.m.
Sampler #2

“There’s a rumble in the jungle, there’s a whisper in the trees. The animals are waking up and rustling the leaves.” Pack your binoculars and your sense of adventure as we begin our safari in search of mischievous monkeys, lazy lions, and slippery snakes. Each day in this camp, our trained Early Childhood teaching team leads campers in an exploration of a jungle story, followed by mini-lessons in drama, art, song, instrument play, or movement to bring the story to life. These play-based lessons build an arts vocabulary as students embody each day's exciting new characters and settings.


Hullabaloo at the Zoo
Age 3.5 - Grade K
11:15 a.m. - 11:35 a.m.
Sampler #3

“READ ALL ABOUT IT . . . ANIMALS STRIKE AT THE ZOO!” Come find out what happens when the monkeys won’t monkey around anymore and the elephants demand to be paid more than peanuts. Each day in this camp, our trained Early Childhood teaching team leads campers in an exploration of a zoo story, followed by mini-lessons in drama, art, song, instrument play, or movement to bring the animal stories to life. These play-based lessons build an arts vocabulary as students embody each day's exciting new characters and settings.


GRADES 1-2

Drama Detectives
Grades 1-2
9:45 a.m. - 10:05 a.m.
Sampler #4

Grab your magnifying glass, because it’s time for some serious sleuthing! Together, we will use our actor’s tools of body, voice, mind, and imagination to solve mysteries that only truly creative detectives can conquer. Where did the queen’s diamond disappear to, who left those footprints in the garden, and what’s that sound coming from the museum? Each day in this camp, our teaching artist teams lead campers in exploration of a whodunit story, followed by mini-lessons in drama, art, song, instrument play, or movement to bring the story to life. These hands-on activities build an arts vocabulary as your child embodies each day's exciting new characters and settings.


Dragon Tales
Grades 1-2
10:15 a.m. - 10:35 a.m.
Sampler #5

Step into a world of adventure and meet different dragons through some of our favorite stories such as (but not limited to) Dragons love Tacos, Puff the Magic Dragon, and My Father’s Dragon. Each day in this camp, our teaching artist teams lead campers in exploration of a fun tale, followed by mini-lessons in drama, art, song, instrument play, or movement to bring the story to life. These hands-on activities build an arts vocabulary as your child embodies each day's exciting new characters and settings.


Disney Drama
Grades 1-2
10:45 a.m. - 11:05 a.m.
Sampler #6

Who hasn’t dreamt of being Elsa as she creates her ice castle or Aladdin riding on his magic carpet? Your dreams can come true – all you need to do is wish upon a star! Using our actor’s tools of body, voice, mind, and imagination, campers work together to act out their favorite Disney tales. Each day in this camp, our trained Early Childhood teaching team leads campers in an exploration of a story or concept based on the camp's theme, followed by mini-lessons in drama, art, song, instrument play, or movement to bring the story to life. These play-based lessons build an arts vocabulary as students embody each day's exciting new characters and settings.


Adventures On The High Seas
Grades 1-2
11:15 a.m. - 11:35 a.m.
Sampler #7

Ahoy, me mateys! Where shall we sail to today? Maybe we’ll voyage to Mermaid Island with Pirate Pete or sail through the Caribbean! Learn how to talk like a pirate and swim like a mermaid as we develop our problem-solving skills and a keen eye for hidden treasure. Each day in this camp, our teaching artist teams lead campers in an exploration of a swashbuckling story, followed by mini-lessons in drama, art, song, instrument play, or movement to bring the story to life. These hands-on activities build an arts vocabulary as your child embodies each day's exciting new characters and settings.


GRADES 2-4

Musical Production Camp, Jr: Magic Tree House: Pirates Past Noon
Grades 2-4
10:45 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Sampler #8

Perform in a musical at Imagination Stage! Under the guidance of highly skilled teaching artists, campers learn valuable theatre arts skills in acting, singing, movement, and backstage design, all while rehearsing a production.


Magic Tree House: Pirates Past Noon KIDS: Based on the fourth installment of the fantasy adventure book series Magic Tree House, join siblings Jack and Annie as their tree house takes them to an exotic island with gold-seeking pirates and tropical island animals. The siblings meet Captain Bones, a mean old pirate who captures the two and forces them to help him find buried treasure. It’s up to Jack and Annie to find their way back to the tree house and make their way home. Young actors will have a blast performing in this daring adventure featuring swashbuckling songs like “Pirates Putting on a Play” and “Every Pirate Needs a Parrot.”


Musical Production Camp, Jr: Annie KIDS
Grades 2-4
11:45 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Sampler #9

Perform in a musical at Imagination Stage! Under the guidance of highly skilled teaching artists, campers learn valuable theatre arts skills in acting, singing, movement, and backstage design, all while rehearsing a production.


Annie KIDS: With equal measures of pluck and positivity, little orphan Annie charms everyone’s hearts despite a next-to-nothing start in 1930s New York City. Annie is determined to find her parents and leave the orphanage run by the cruel Miss Hannigan behind. With the help of her fellow orphans and billionaire Oliver Warbucks, Annie finds the home and family she’s always wanted. Join our cast of orphans, sneaky villains, and proud New Yorkers in this classic story featuring unforgettable songs like “Tomorrow” and “It’s the Hard-Knock Life.”


GRADES 3-5

Legends of the Greeks
Grades 3-5
9:45 a.m. - 10:05 a.m.
Sampler #10

Campers explore Greek mythology and use the ancient stories as a springboard to explore and discover legendary characters such as Zeus, Athena, and Hercules. Using both classic Greek stories as well as modern adaptations (such as Percy Jackson), students gain a better understanding of story structure and given circumstances, as well as character motivation and positive ensemble work.


Improvisation
Grades 3-5
10:15 a.m. - 10:35 a.m.
Sampler #11

Improvisation is the art of acting without a script! This camp introduces students to a style of acting that encourages spontaneous character and conflict choices. Campers work with theatre games and short-form scenes, addressing important theatre skills such as active listening, clarity of choices and intent, confidence, timing, and teamwork to develop intuitive performers.


Hip-Hop
Grades 3-5
10:15 a.m. - 10:35 a.m.
Sampler #12

Dancers explore the culture and movement of Hip-Hop expression. Skills explored include popping & locking movement, foot-work, and the break dancing style featured in popular movies and music videos. Dancers build technique, strength, and flexibility while learning fast-paced routines and high-energy choreography. If you love to dance, this camp is for you!


Broadway Dance Sampler
Grades 3-5
10:45 a.m. - 11:05 a.m.
Sampler #13

This dance camp explores popular numbers from several Broadway hit shows. Students develop choreographed routines, integrating steps and movement while learning jazz and musical theatre technique. The goal of the camp is to help students interested in performing in musicals advance their dance skills and develop their ability to learn different styles of choreography while also conveying character and expression. If you love Broadway, this camp is for you!


Intro to Acting
Grades 3-5
11:15 a.m. - 11:35 a.m.
Sampler #14

Campers are introduced to the foundational concepts of acting through a variety of fun exercises where they explore physical control, human behavior observations, and realistic actions and reactions. Campers focus on creating sustainable and believable characters, moments, and truthful actions for the stage. Through games and activities, campers develop an ensemble with one another in order to construct an environment where they can effectively explore, make bold choices, and take risks!


Shakespeare Stories
Grades 3-5
11:45 a.m. - 12:05 p.m.
Sampler #15

This camp is a fun introduction to performing the classical language and characters of the most famous playwright in history: William Shakespeare! Through a variety of games, exercises, and ensemble-based scene work, students develop an understanding of the language and how to communicate complex character arcs and heightened plots for the stage.


GRADES 5-9

Musical Production Camp: Aladdin Jr
Grades 5-9
10:45 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Sampler #16

The musical production experience with Imagination Stage is not just about putting up a show, but immersing campers in performance technique and theatre appreciation. In the full camp, half the day is spent in a variety of skill building classes, from the core subjects of acting, singing, and dance to specialty skills such as stage combat and dialects. The second half of the day is spent applying those skills to the rehearsal of a musical. Imagination Stage performances reflect the sophisticated training of our actors.


Disney’s Aladdin Jr is based on the 1992 Academy-Award®-winning film and the 2014 Broadway show about the “diamond in the rough” street rat who learns that his true worth lies deep within. Aladdin and his three friends – Babkak, Omar, and Kassim – are down on their luck until Aladdin discovers a magic lamp and the Genie who has the power to grant three wishes. Wanting to earn the respect of the princess, Jasmine, Aladdin embarks on an adventure that tests his will and his moral character. With expanded characters, new songs, and more thrills, this new adaptation of the beloved story will open up “a whole new world!”


Musical Production Camp: Once on This Island Jr
Grades 5-9
11:45 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Sampler #17

The Musical Production experience with Imagination Stage is not just about putting up a show, but immersing campers in performance technique and theatre appreciation. In the full camp, half the day is spent in a variety of skill building classes, from the core subjects of acting, singing, and dance to specialty skills such as stage combat and dialects. The second half of the day is spent applying those skills to the rehearsal of a musical. Imagination Stage performances reflect the sophisticated training of our actors.


Once on This Island Jr, adapted from the celebrated Broadway musical, is a rousing Calypso-flavored tale that follows one small girl who finds love in a world of prejudice. Written and composed by legendary Broadway writing team Ahrens and Flaherty this poignant story is a highly original theatrical adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen’s popular fairy tale, The Little Mermaid. Through non-stop song and dance, this full-hearted musical tells the story of Ti Moune, a peasant girl who rescues and falls in love with Daniel, a wealthy boy from the other side of her island. When Daniel is returned to his people, the fantastical gods who rule the island guide Ti Moune on a quest that will test the strength of her love against the powerful forces of prejudice, hatred, and even death.


Filmmaking Open House
Grades 5-8
11:45 a.m. - 12:45 p.m.
Sampler #20

Students and parents are welcome to drop in to the media studio over the course of this hour for a tour of the high-end video equipment we use for our filmmaking classes and camps. Digital Media Director, David Stern, will give an overview of the curriculum of filmmaking camps from introductory to advanced opportunities.


GRADES 6-8

Dance: Hamilton
Grades 6-8
11:45 a.m. - 12:05 p.m.
Sampler #18

This dance camp draws from the block-buster Broadway musical Hamilton. Students learn the basics of jazz, hip-hop, and musical theatre dance while developing performance skills, portraying character, rehearsing choreographed routines, and learning American history through hip-hop music.


Improvisation
Grades 6-8
12:15 p.m. - 12:35 p.m.
Sampler #19

Improvisation is the art of acting without a script! This camp introduces campers to a style of acting that encourages spontaneous character and conflict choices. Campers work with theatre games and short-form scenes, addressing important theatre skills such as active listening, clarity of choices and intent, confidence, timing, and teamwork to develop intuitive performers.

* Schedule is subject to change