Archive for category arts programs
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING ABOUT CENTAURI ARTS CAMP…
Posted by centauri in Arts Camps, Centauri Summer Arts Camp., arts programs, overnight camp on April 5, 2010
All the quotations below are taken from notes received in the last few months. We’re removed names and identifying features to ensure privacy.
FROM PARENTS…
“Thank you so much for providing such a wonderful camp. My kids can’t stop talking about you: the other campers, the counsellors, the kitchen staff, in other words everyone and everything at Centauri. Thank you for taking such good care of them. I think you guy are doing such a wonderful thing, having this camp for creative kids. It is such an accepting and warm place, which is not found everywhere. I can tell you guys love what you do and it shows in the program you run.”
“My husband and I wanted to compliment and thank you as directors of this fabulous arts camp! Our daughter attended this summer and it was her first time away from home at an overnight camp. We wanted to let you know how very impressed we were with the camp overall and specifically how pleased we were with the dance program she participated in. The demonstration for the parents was marvellous – how creative and imaginative these young people are and how enthusiastic are their counsellors!”
“My child’s camp experience was a major turning point – from an awkward grade 9 kid who felt under confident and excluded, to a happy and gregarious 15 year old… we were assured this was the experience of many of your campers at this crucial, challenging age. We cannot tell you how absolutely thrilled we are. You, the counsellors and administrators should be very proud to run the camp that you do. You are positively touching many young lives. It takes a village to raise a child, and Centauri is part of our village.”
FROM GROWN UP CAMPERS…
“Without this camp I would not be who I am today and for that I am eternally grateful. Also I’ve met so many fantastic people through Centauri that it’s hard to think of where I’d be without them. Centauri also helped me develop all the artistic habits I love. If it weren’t for camp I wouldn’t be a filmmaker and I wouldn’t be going to Sheridan next year. If it weren’t for camp I wouldn’t be as skilled in acting and improvisation. If I didn’t go to camp I wouldn’t know how to fight with swords! (All right, that last one might not be quite so crucial to my future but…it was still super awesome!)”
“I just recieved your newsletter and I have to say that I am so excited to hear from you guys and see what the camp is up to these days. Centauri was honestly one of my best experiences I think I’ve ever had. I had such a fun time there, and I made so many friends. It truly was a place where I felt 100% myself. Both you and Craig played such an integral role in making my camp experience an amazing one. So, before I tell you what I’m up to, I just want to say a big THANK YOU.”
“Centauri changed my life, I would never be who I am today without it. I never, ever would have thought I would be able to do anything like the Inspiration Challenge as an LIT, or take a dance class for the first time in ten years, or sing a solo, or write a poem and share it with the entire camp, but I did all of these things at Centauri. When faced with fears and challenges in my life now, I can think back to how loved and accepted I felt at camp. Going to Centauri was truly
one of the best things that ever happened in my life, it showed me that there are people in the world who are kind and accepting, no matter what.”
We love receiving feedback about camp! Feel free to email us at info@centauriartscamp.com
These testimonials are printed in our March Newsletter, along with lots of other great camp news.
Go to www.centauriartscamp.com/blog/?p=125
Arts Camp News Jan 2009
Posted by centauri in Centauri Summer Arts Camp., Creative Writing, Music Camp, Ontario Summer Camp, Writing Camp, arts programs on January 20, 2009
Camper News Jan 2009
With only 160 days left till camp, we’ve busy here in the camp office! Summer may seem like a long way away, but we’re already hard at work… finalising staffing, planning the outline of programs, reaching out to new campers, and attending camp fairs!
Here’s some exciting staff updates for you all!
Jeanette Hedley is returning for to teach in summer 2009 … for her fifteenth summer! Jeanette has been a camper, counsellor, mentor-counsellor, Leadership Director, Activities Director and Program Director at Centauri over the years… camp wouldn’t be the same without her. She’s a super-talented teacher, but she wasn’t able to confirm in time for her name to appear on programs back in November.
We’re now delighted to announce that Jeanette will be teaching Dance Remix in Session Two, Musical Theatre Dance in Session 3 and Musical Theatre Triple Threat in session 4. We’re delighted to have her back with us! Jeanette’s programs do still have limited availability, so if you are interested in working with her, please call the camp office.
Our new Hip Hop/Jazz teacher is… Hilary Krull!
Hilary was a counsellor with us for several years, and Head of Brant. Now working professionally as a dancer and musical theatre performer, Hilary returns to teach Hip Hop and Jazz! If you would like to work with Hilary, we do still have a few spaces left on her program. As always, the vast majority of program directors and counsellors with us this coming summer will be returners.
Over 80% of program directors and counsellors return each year. In fact, this summer, we may only have 2 brand new program directors joining the team! For a full list of returning program directors, and the programs they are teaching, you can access the ‘biographies’ page on the website. There’s lots of information on them all, too – including the creative projects they are currently working on.
Most Counsellors Returning for Summer 2009! Yes – it’s true! The odds are that if you were at Centauri last summer, you’ll recognise the vast majority of counsellors! Andrea, Thea, Liz, Katie, Calypso, Kate, Becca, Charlee, Maria, Emily, Carol, Matt, Jeremy, Justin, Nick, Nikesh, James… all of them are returning for the summer! In addition, we have 6 assistant counsellors on staff, 5 of whom were campers last year. We’ll be hiring only 3 brand new counsellors for the summer.
Staff: What are they doing Right Now?
Jeanette has just returned from her travels in South Africa. Mladen is teaching in acting studios across Toronto. Julie is heading down to Mexico, to teach Drama in a Mayan village! Carol is going to Bangkok, to work as a volunteer in a children’s charity. Matt is studying Film in Montreal. Sofia is working on a project to teach film to a community in Northern Canada. Yonah is writing a screenplay. Laura is settling into a new job with a publishing company in Vancouver. Liz is in her first year at Harvard. Just some thoughts to remind you how busy our whole community is with their own creative, artistic and academic projects during the year.
Fringe Festivals 2009!
Last summer, we replaced the day trips in sessions 3 and 4 with Fringe Festivals, and the move was so popular that we’re doing the same again this year! We’re planning another Music Fringe, as well as a Film & Photography Fringe Festival.
Camp Activities
So what special events are being planned for this summer? You can expect a Wizard of Oz Festival, a Peter Pen Festival, a Celebration of Pokemon, a Newfoundland Kitchen Party, an Indian Banquet, a British Banquet, a Shakespeare Fest and – in Session 4 – a special 2-day Medieval Village Fayre to celebrate the end of the summer.
Staff Winter Gathering
During the holidays, 25 of the camp staff gathering together for an annual night of games and craziness! As always, one objective was to raise money for charity… by having fun! We made up Winter jingles, competed in crazy Winter-themed quizzes and even did jigsaws… blindfolded! At the end of the evening, we had raised $80 for the Humane Society, $70 for the World Wildlife Fund, $90 for Oxfam and $90 for Medicin Sans Frontieres. Thanks to everyone who participated.
Fifteen Years Old – Some Exciting News!
Centauri Summer Camp turns 15 years old this year! We’re celebrating in a unique and exciting way… by bringing together staff, new and old, to join in an exciting performance event, to raise money to build a school in the developing world! In May, we will be holding a FIFTEEN HOUR PERFORMANCE MARATHON in Toronto. Dozens of amazing Centauri staff will gather together to perform continuously for 15 hours, in order to raise funds. Centauri has inspired thousands of campers over the past 15 years – and now we want to reach out with the confidence of a well-established arts organisation, to build a school in a village where children currently have no access to education. We’re going to be inviting campers, parents, alumni and anyone associated with Centauri to participate in this exciting event. You can join us as a volunteer or front-of-house staff, be our audience members and – of course – help us by sponsoring a staff member. Our goal is to raise $15-$20,000 to build our school. Centauri will then raise money annually to pay for text books and a teacher’s salary. Our hope is that in future years staff and campers will be able to visit Centauri’s school if they wish to, and work as volunteers. We’ll be sending out more information in the near future, but if you are interested in participating actively, please let us know. We are also eager to hear from members of our camp community who may own a food store, cafe or restaurant in the Toronto region, and may be willing to sponsor a meal for staff during this event. Please contact us with any offers of help! We invite all of you to participate in what will be one of the most exciting and far-reaching events Centauri has EVER organised!
2008 Web Site is Live!
Posted by centauri in Centauri Summer Arts Camp., arts programs on November 7, 2007
The new web site is now live, with all the 2008 programs listed!
Registration for Returning Campers opens on Saturday 10th November – just 9 days from now!
And now… New Programs for Summer 2008! We’re unbelievably excited by new summer’s program line-up. Most of your favourite Program Directors are returning, and that’s why we’re able to offer such a terrific set of programs! With 40 to choose from, spanning all art forms, there’s something for everyone. Here’s an overview of programs for 2008:
Session One
Stage Combat: A Midsummer Fight’s Dream! – Hunter Gates – ages 14-18
A Midsummer Night’s Dream: love, deception, bickering, brawling and battling it out… terrific material for the actor-combatant! Discover the art of stage combat, then put your skills into action in our version of this spectacular play.
Vocal Music: We’ve come a long way, Baby! – Melissa Shriner – ages 12-18
For those of you who LOVE to SING! Explore vocal music throughout the ages, from Classical music to current hits and everything in between!
Introduction to Japanese Theatre – Eleonore Prokop – ages 14-18
Step into the theatrical domain of Noh, Kabuki and Butoh – a world of tradition and rituals, colour and mood, mask and movement. An exciting challenge for the experienced actor.
Spontaneous Theatrical Combustions: Improv Play Creation – Celeste Dickson – ages 9-14
Improv is a skill no actor can do without. Through spontaneous creativity learn to develop characters, explore interactions, design plot and create a piece of theatre from scratch.
Fine Art: The Art of Illusion – Ninat Friedland – ages 11-15
If you love art, and want to move beyond painting and drawing into mask, puppet creation and sculpture, this is the program for you! One of our final projects will be to work on visuals for a production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
Photography: Join the YoPhos! – ages 12+Become a Centauri YoPho!
Learn the art and technical skill involved in creating great photographs and developing them yourself.
Creative Writing: Wild and Whirling Words – Laura Farina – ages 9-14
Explore different ways to get your writing flowing and new ways to put your unique voice on the page.
Creative Writing: Surrealism and Other Forms of Insanity! – Glenn Clifton – ages 14-18
Write yourself mad, drawing inspiration from some of the wildest kinds of poetry, prose, and drama of the 20th century.
Dancing like the Stars! – Jeanette Hedley – all ages
From the 80s style Jazz of Footloose, to the Go-Go moves of Austin Powers, look at dance styles both captured by and created for the movies.
Docs Versus Mocks: Film Production & Performance – Sofia Bohdanowicz – age 9-14
Explore the difference between reality and fantasy as we dive into the crazy world of documentaries and mockumentaries!
Session Two
Dance! Dance! Dance! – Laura Caswell – A/OBallet, jazz, hip hop, musical theatre styles, tap and more! Rediscover a love of dance!
Creative Writing – 13 Ways of Looking – ages 13-18
Under trees, with other writers around you, write a lot and get feedback as you discover more about your creative self.
Be Your Own Artist! – Robyn Gram – 12+
Paint, sculpt, print, draw: the creative adventures are endless! Explore visual art through collage, installation, abstract imagery, representational/realistic subject matter, impressionistic/surrealistic techniques and more!
Mystery Theatre Presents… ? – Daniel Poulin – 9-14
A world famous writer, Delores Godot, disappears mysteriously. Unlock the mystery of her disappearance, while piecing together the play she was writing, ready for performance! An acting experience AND a mystery, rolled into one!
Stage Combat – For Sparta! – Hunter Gates – ages 14-18
We’re taking a historic battle that has become a symbol of courage against overwhelming odds, and using it as source material for combat performance! Recreate this epic battle, as our own army of free peoples defend their native soil.
Digital Photography: Starting off Digital – Aaron Alviano – ages 9-14
Uncover the basics of photo editing and, with your own photographs as the starting point, learn how to alter images, make movie posters, illustrate myths and fairy tales, design logos and create fictitious scenarios.
Rebellious, Revolutionary and Riotous Film-making! – Sofia Bohdanowicz – ages 14-18
Explore various film movements, and key filmmakers in the realm of experimental film. Create short films celebrating revolutionary movements and filmmakers for a final film festival.
Acting with Sound and Fury! – Eleonore Prokop – ages 14-18
Delve into the dark world of sorcery and revenge, jealousy and vaulting ambition as you explore with us the rich landscape of Shakespeare’s Macbeth.
Acting: the Three I’s! – ages 9-14
Imagination, Inspiration, Interaction! An all-round taste of theatre, and the skills that make up a great actor.
Musical Theatre Triple Threat – Jeanette Hedley – ages 14-18
Focus on your vocal technique, choral singing skills, character creation, dance skills and stage presence. Take risks, work hard and have fun as we chase the goal of becoming a true triple threat!
Session 3
Digital Photography: A Digital Creation – Aaron Alviano – ages 14-18Enhance your existing digital knowledge, and apply them to visual projects such as stop motion animation, pictorial narratives, posters and advertisements.
Musical Theatre Dance – Jeanette Hedley – all ages
In Musical Theatre, characters’ emotions are so big they can’t just talk about it – they have to sing and dance, too! Join us in exploring how dance is used to express emotions onstage and to further the storyline.
Bring your Acting to LIFE! – Jon Robbins – ages 9-14
Learn how actors use voice, movement, spontaneity and their imagination to breathe life into fictional beings. The final project will be a film, directed by Jon and starring all of you!
Theatre Skills: What the Dickens? – Eleonore Prokop – ages 11-15
For those of you who LOVE to act! Into the world of Charles Dickens we go, to explore the rich and the raucous, the prim and pathetic, caustic and cantankerous characters of nineteenth century England. The final project will be the creation of a Victorian street scene, complete with characters, action and intrigue.
Project X: Write, Direct, Act! – Jordi Hepburn – O
Write your own play, direct someone else’s and be an actor in a third! What better way to discover how theatre works than by taking on all three roles?
Project X: Set, Costume, Props! – Daniel Poulin – ages 11-15
Join a team of intrepid designers as they create sets, costumes and props for Centauri’s emerging playwrights. Campers will learn the basics of drawing designs, building set models, choosing costume pieces and constructing props.
Sword Styles – Hunter Gates – ages 14-18
Discover how different weapons were used in specific cultures and historic periods as you learn the correct way to wield a variety of swords in performance.
Film Styles – Yonah Lewis – ages 14-18
Discover the many possibilities of filmmaking… from both sides of the camera! Try your hand at directing, shooting and acting as you create mood and emotion through the manipulation of the film medium.
From Protest Poems to Soulful Sonnets: Writing that Matters! – ages 11-15
Using a variety of forms and styles, write about your loves, hates and obsessions, while reading the work of great writers for inspiration and trying exercises to get you thinking in new ways.
C.R.E.A.T.E. – Quest for the Emperor’s Treasure! – John-Michael Erlendson – ages 9-13
Become a Samurai-in-Training and work with us to uncover secrets of the distant past. Our goal? To prevent a war between feudal lords. Using all the art forms, immerse yourself in an imaginative, interactive role-playing adventure.
Session 4
Hip Hop & Jazz Dance! – all ages.
Learn the latest jazz techniques and hip-hop styles such as B-boying/ Break-dance, Poppin‘ & Lockin‘, as well as the newest choreography found in music videos.
Intermediate Clown: Behind the Red and the White Nose too! – Jordi Hepburn -O
If you’ve already added clown to your acting repertoire, then join us and take this skill to the next level! Continue developing your clown character, and also explore the world of Bouffon.
Music Mayhem! – ages 12+
Learn the basics of songwriting and collaborative creation techniques as you work on vocal, instrumental and group performance skills as part of a Centauri band! At the end of the session, bring down the house with your concert.
Directing for the Silver Screen – Yonah Lewis – ages 14-18
Discover what makes a great director, as we create a series of short films in the style of well-known directors, learning from both their mistakes and their genius.
Musical Theatre: Movie Magic on Broadway – Sarah Willett – ages 9-14
Using Disney productions as a vehicle for exploration, we will focus on a mix of FUNdamentals and skills of the “triple threat”, including dance, vocal techniques, choral singing, ensemble work, character creation and stage presence.
Theatre Outside of the Box! – Jeanette Hedley – ages 11-15
What sort of space is required for theatre magic to take place? Redefine the way you look at theatre, and create a show like you’ve never seen before.
Acting for Film – Jon Robbins – ages 14-18Learn to be spontaneous, focused and alive in performance by immersing yourself in scenes taken from existing screenplays. Discover how to work with a partner, develop characters effectively and unlock the secrets of a screenplay.
Theatre Skills: How Real are YOU? – ages 14-18
Should actors try to recreate life, or use their voice and bodies to create a magical world on stage? Explore with us a ton of exciting ideas about the purpose of acting. What is theatre for, and how real can a performance be?
The Art of Design – Sandra Baumander – ages 9-18
Explore Graphic Design by discovering typography, composition and colour. Take to the computer with your new skills and design everything from CD covers to our very own silk-screened shirts! The program will culminate in the creation of our own advertising campaign.
From Silent to Stand-Up: Comedy on Stage! – Hunter Gates – ages 9-14
Discover anyone can be funny as you learn what makes an audience roar with laughter. Comedy is an essential acting skill… so join us for this fun and funny program and laugh your way through the past 100 years!
Check out the new re-designed web site at www.centauri.on.ca