Are you a playwright ready to show your stuff? In this five day summer camp, students will write, rehearse, and perform a virtual show! Come with some experience with performing/writing or none at all, the goal of our camp is to explore acting and have FUN!

Day 1:

We will begin the first day with introductions and getting to know each other and move into creating our script. PLEASE NOTE STUDENTS MUST HAVE A STRONG FOUNDATION IN READING SKILLS TO JOIN CLASS! They will receive continuous support from Miss Lauryn, but being able to follow along and read aloud will be extremely helpful here (message for any questions or concerns!). We will begin by choosing our setting, problem, and the message we want to share with our audiences. This will be a collaborative experience where all will have the opportunity to share thoughts and votes will be taken to ensure a fair process. We will then take a brief break to stretch our legs, go to the restroom, and get a drink of water. This will also be a great time to socialize and check in with each other as we take a moment away from our work! We will then take time to put the finishing touches on our play (this will most likely amount to a 10 page script), and then choose roles and read the play aloud. We will use this reading as an opportunity to see if we want to make any edits or alter casting. Before we end camp for the day, students will receive the script in the chat (it will also be posted on the classroom page) and they will be encouraged to start memorizing their lines with the help of folks at home. This is not a requirement! We will then each share a word or sound to describe how we felt about the day.

Day 2:

We will begin the second day with warm ups for the body and the voice (our instrument for the play!) as well as some games to wake up our creative minds. We will then learn the basics and definitions of stage directions, the importance of ensemble, and how to "cheat out." We will then take a moment to review the play to create a props list, costumes for the characters, and design the set.  We will then take a brief break to stretch our legs, go to the restroom, and get a drink of water. This will also be a great time to socialize and check in with each other as we take a moment away from our work! When we return from the break we will begin rehearsing the play, incorporating all we discussed with stage directions and character from the day before. Before we end camp for the day, students will be encouraged to continue memorizing their lines with the help of folks at home, or finding a way to prop their script by their device so they can read while also being present onscreen. They may also be asked to start creating their set and costumes as well as find props from the props list to bring with them for tomorrow. We will then each share a word or sound to describe how we felt about the day.

Day 3: 

We will begin the third day with warm ups for the body and the voice (our instrument for the play!) as well as some games to wake up our creative minds. We will then continue with where we left off in rehearsal, now having a better understanding of the script and the words we are required to say. We will also take the time to explore the relationships between these characters and how that informs our performance. We will then take a brief break to stretch our legs, go to the restroom, and get a drink of water. This will also be a great time to socialize and check in with each other as we take a moment away from our work! When we return, we will attempt a "stumble through," which means we will run the show from top to bottom without any stops to see what work still needs to be done, incorporating props for the first time! We will then review notes from the stumble through and decide if any props need to be changed before tomorrow. Before we end camp for the day, students will be encouraged to have their sets and props ready to go at the start of camp tomorrow and come in the costume they would like to wear for the final performance. We will then each share a word or sound to describe how we felt about the day. 

Day 4: 

We will begin the fourth day with warm ups for the body and the voice (our instrument for the play!) as well as some games to wake up our creative minds. We will then review notes from the stumble through before attempting another run of the show working on improving upon the work from the previous day. Students will also have the opportunity to ask questions and address any of their concerns. We will then discuss what a "dress rehearsal" is, which means that we will run the show in our costumes with the props and set ready to go as if it was a performance. We will then take a brief break to stretch our legs, go to the restroom, and get a drink of water. This will also be a great time to socialize and check in with each other as we take a moment away from our work! When we return from the break, we will take a moment to get set and then attempt a dress rehearsal. After the dress rehearsal we will review notes and discuss show time! The performance will take place on the final day of camp, and students' families will be invited to join their student in their home space in the last 20 minutes of class (families can also view the class recording after class to get a better view!). We will discuss how show time will be run, what to expect, and how to handle nerves! Before we end camp for the day, students will be reminded to have their sets and props ready to go at the start of camp tomorrow and come in the costume they would like to wear for the final performance. We will then each share a word or sound to describe how we felt about the day. 

Day 5 (Show Time!):

We will begin the final day with warm ups for the body and the voice (our instrument for the play!) as well as some games to wake up our creative minds. We will then take a few moments to get set for another dress rehearsal and run the play. We will review notes after the run, make sure everyone is feeling confident about the show, and then go into an early break. During this time students can review their lines, go to the bathroom, get a drink of water, or just take some time away from the script to socialize with their now friends! After the break, we will do some additional exercises to get our energy show-ready, and then talk about what we're excited about for the show. At the 20 minute-to-end-of-class mark, we will take a moment to go grab our families to be our audience. And then it's SHOW TIME! After the performance (and our bows!) we will each share one final word or sound to describe how we felt about our final performance.

*Please note that any scenes/plays performed are written by the instructor or collaboratively with the students. These scenes/plays are NOT published works written by anyone other than the individuals involved in the class.