Archive for category arts programs
Our 2012 Website is now live!
Posted by centauri in Arts Camps, Arts Education, arts programs, charity, International School on November 8, 2011
The Centauri Summer Arts Camp 2012 Website is now live!
Go to www.centauriartscamp.com and browse through the 43 exciting program choices on offer for the coming summer! Don’t forget, Registration Day for returning families is Saturday 19 November. New Families can reserve their space on Friday 25 November. Call us if you have any questions about Centauri 2012!
Reminder: Information Sessions this Saturday!
If you hope to find out more about our 2012 International Filmmaking tour to North Wales, join us at the Baby Point Clubhouse, 71 Baby Point Road, Toronto, at 1pm this Saturday. If you are a new family hoping to learn more about Centauri, then join us at the same location, at 3pm. Both Information Sessions will include photographs, slide shows, references, a presentation by the directors and a chance to have all your questions answered.
Centauri Festival of Word and Image is this Sunday!
Join us in Toronto on Sunday for a very exciting event, and a chance to celebrate the achievements of our campers! We will be showing several of the amazing short movies created between 2009-2011, and will feature readings by campers and staff. In addition, we’ll be offering a sneak peek at Sofia Bohdanowicz’ new short film, and Elephant Thoughts will present on what it is like to build a school in the developing world. Come support our fundraiser and experience a taste of Centauri in the Fall! 100% of ticket sales go to the purchase of school supplies for our students at the Centauri school in India. Tickets are still available for this event – go to: www.centauriartscamp.com/charities. If you’re a new family this is a great way to find our more about camp, and see what our campers get to do each summer! It’s a great cause… we hope to see you all there!
Building on the Success of Summer 2011 (and the past Seventeen Years!)
Posted by centauri in Arts Camps, Arts Education, arts programs, Centauri Arts Camp, Ontario Summer Camp, Testimonials on November 1, 2011
Building on the Success of Summer 2011 (and the past Seventeen Years!)
As we approach Registration Day for summer 2012, one of my jobs is to prepare an album of reference letters and thank you notes from parents and campers, so we can display this at Open Houses and camp exhibitions. Last summer, we received more of these notes than ever before.
It is certainly terrific motivation for us as we work through long hours in the office, to remember why we do what we do, and the positive effect it has on all our campers and camp families! I thought I would share with you all some of the wonderful comments we received from parents and campers at the end of summer 2011:
“My daughter arrived back last night, tired but radiant. Since then, she has done nothing but talk of the great time she had. She uses words like “warmth”, “support” “understanding” and most of all, FUN! Not a moment of boredom, regret or frustration. Tears only now for sorrow at leaving her beloved counsellors and friends.”
“His Centauri adventures prepared our son for his entry into high school this Fall. He saw how he would fit in, minus grade school stereotypes. His confidence is up, his politeness is up, his work ethic has improved and his creative side has been reignited. He was even able to practise his French with Canadian and international campers. The work your art campers produced was truly amazing.”
“Thank you for an incredible camp experience. I heard from my friend just how special Centauri is, and my son now echoes everything she said. He had a fantastic time, made great friends and can’t wait to return next year for a whole month.”
“It was a dream come true to find your camp…thank you for providing this wonderful and unique place for our children to learn and thrive.”
Julie
Centauri Arts Camp
www.centauriartscamp.com
Lovely Letters! Testimonials for Centauri Arts Camp 2011
Posted by centauri in Arts Education, arts programs, Centauri Arts Camp, Ontario Summer Camp, Testimonials, young filmmakers on September 16, 2011
Some lovely letters!
As always, this summer ended for us with a flood of thank you letters… notes from parents and campers filled with excited praise for the Centauri summer experience. We thought we would quote a few of them here. We’ve removed identifying phrases and names, out of respect for privacy:
“We would like to thank the entire Centauri team for an incredible two weeks. Our daughter was bursting with positivity in all her letters and calls home. She loved the program and made wonderful friends… her experience was an unequivocal success.”
“Oh my goodness, who was the child we picked up from camp? We sent a shy, reserved child to you and returned with a child who was bubbly and excited and hugging – yes, hugging – his cabin mates goodbye. He was so excited about what he learned, and the new found confidence in his abilities, that he talked all the way home about his adventures.”
“Words cannot express what you guys have created… what you have done for kids, my daughter and the world… you have the world’s greatest staff.”
“I thought I would write a quick note to tell you how very much our son enjoyed your camp. His siblings are involved in sports and he is not interested, so sometimes he feels he doesn’t fit in. At Centauri, he met so many like-minded people. It was wonderful to see what he feels passionate about and what he is good at.”
“I really enjoyed the performances, and my daughter enjoyed Centauri even more! She is already saying, “it’s the best!” and “I am going back next year!”
“Thank you so much for letting me come to camp again. Your camp has changed my life and you have given me self worth and a sense of belonging.”
You may all be aware that two of our film Program Directors – Yonah Lewis and Calvin Thomas – have directed a full length feature film “Amy George” that is currently playing at the Toronto International Film Festival to excellent reviews. In a recent interview with the Canadian Jewish News, Yonah stated that it was during his first summer at Centauri that he caught the film-making bug. “Centauri created an environment that really fostered my creativity.”
Julie
Centauri Arts Camp
www.centauriartscamp.com
Art Camp, Art Workshops, Art Classes: Why Every Young Artist Needs Them!
Posted by centauri in Arts Education, arts programs, Centauri Summer Arts Camp. on February 9, 2011
Art Camp, Art Workshops, Art Classes: Why Every Young Artist Needs Them!
My nephew is a sporty kid. He loves every kind of field sports. If he lived in Canada, he’d probably play hockey five times a week. His circle of friends is huge and the camaraderie they share is obvious. He’s comfortable, socially. Confident. At ease in the world.
My niece loves art. One look at her work and you can see how talented she is. It’s her passion. When she paints, she sings. Her world shines. She knows who she is, and where she wants to be.
If these kids sound content, that’s because they are. Nothing makes a person as content, whatever their age, as doing the thing they love. Celebrating their talents. Growing in their uniqueness as a person. But there is one difference between the two of them. My nephew only has to pick up a soccer ball and he is surrounded in friends. My niece picks up a paint brush and – well, painting is solitary by nature.
That’s where art classes, workshops and camp comes in. Sure, it’s about the ‘arts education’ – growing better at what you love to do. But art workshops serve a far more important function. They bring together like-minded youth, giving them the opportunity to connect in what is otherwise a solitary activity. Art classes offer the same camaraderie as a soccer or hockey game. They are every bit important for kids with arts interests. But we can tend to forget this, because while hockey requires a team, it is always possible to do art alone.
‘I never knew there was so many people like me,’ a camper in one of our fine art camps told me, looking round the art studio with a smile. It was her first art camp. Her first art class, even. In that – and most – art workshops, there was none of the shouting and laughter that you might hear from a hockey team – just quiet conversations, music in the background, and a lot of focus on painting. But you could sense the support. That each artist, while working alone, was aware of everyone else. Sharing an experience every bit as social as a soccer game.
A good art teacher makes use of the fact that art classes bring together individuals who usually follow their passion alone. Our art camp incorporates group murals, paintings and sculptures into most fine art programs. Our art workshops include fun group warm-ups to stimulate laughter and discussion, as well as critiquing sessions for older campers, to take advantage of the presence of other artists. Art campers discuss their work with one another, collaborate and share resources. They learn to articulate their vision, by responding to the interest of fellow artists. And they discover that although they may often paint alone, loving art is by no means unique to them.
Kids who love soccer will come together with little adult intervention, to kick a ball around and do what they love to do. Children who love art may never come together with others who share their interest, because they may never see the need before they try it. This is where we, the adults in their lives, play a vital part. Art camp, art workshops, art classes: by encouraging all of these we teach our young artist that they are part of a community, even when they work alone, and we help them to articulate their interests, sharing socially in an activity that is all too often undertaken alone.
Julie
Centauri Summer Arts Camp
www.centauriartscamp.com
Centauri Summer Arts Camp… Affiliations!
Posted by centauri in Arts Camps, Arts Education, arts programs, Centauri Summer Arts Camp. on December 8, 2010
As a leading summer camp and arts training organisation, it’s vital for us to play a role in promoting both the arts and camp in Ontario. We do this many ways… Through the training we offer our staff and campers, the articles we write, the seminars we run and, not the least, the organisations we choose to belong to. Here’s a selection of those:
Ontario Camps Association (www.ontariocamps.ca) – this is the accediting body for summer camps in Ontario, and we’ve been members for the past 17 years. We’ve visited/inspected other camps, assisted with various committees and offered workshops at their various conferences over the years, in addition to attending those conferences ourselves.
International Camping Fellowship (www.campingfellowship.org) – as a summer camp, we’re part of an international education movement, reflected no where better than in the ICF.
Theatre Ontario (www.theatreontario.org) – a terrific organisation that represents the needs of theatre groups and artists across Ontario. Our membership is in its 17th year.
Council of Ontario Drama and Dance Educators (www.code.on.ca). CODE promotes drama and dance education in schools and communities throughout Ontario. Julie has been a workshop leader at their conferences for the past 2 years, offering training sessions for drama teachers. In addition, we exhibit at the conferences to ensure drama teachers are aware of us. Dozens of our campers are referred to us by their teachers each year.
In addition, our assistant camp director and head of all things medical, Cheryl Berknopf, is on the Board of Directors for the Association of Camp Nurses in America (www.acn.org)
Being a part of the on-going dialogue in camping and the arts is one way we stay connected to what young people need in a world where the only constant is change.
Julie Hartley
Director
Centauri Summer Arts Camp.
2011 Arts Camps Sneak Peek!
Posted by centauri in Acting Camp, Arts Camps, arts programs, Centauri Arts Camp, Centauri Summer Arts Camp., Film Camps, fine art camp, Theater Camp, Writing Camps on October 19, 2010
We’ve been hard at work with our program directors this past month, designing a truly fantastic line-up of programs for you for the coming summer! For a sneak look at some of those programs,read on…
For Writers…
Gillian’s returning in the third session for an omega program focussing on Poetry and Prose, and for alphas we’re offering a terrific program in the first session exploring how we can use our life experiences for fact and fiction! For the first time ever there will be a Journalism program in the second session and, for alphas, a focus on writing comics in the fourth session. Oh – and both alphas and omegas will have a shot at Play-writing & Performance this coming summer!
For Artists and Photographers…
Aaron’s back all summer, and his programs include mixed media explorations, digital photography and more! There will also be an exciting ‘art & design’ program in the first session. We’re offering Comic Book Creation again, and we’ve added an animation component to the program.
For Acting Campers…
So many options!!! Long Form Improv, Clown, an advanced Theatre Styles program with Mladen, Acting for Film (with Valerie again!), Directing programs, Acting for Screen & Stage, and more!
For Dancers, Singers and Musicians…
There will be TWO music programs this coming summer, one run by Violet and one by J-M! We have musical theatre programs for alphas and omegas… and the alpha program gives you a chance to create your own musical! Veronica is adding contemporary dance and a new program: Let’s Dance POP! Finally, we have TWO singing programs. The new one is called The Centauri Glee Club!
For Film Makers…
Sofia is offering a focus on Japanese cinema and Matt’s running a movie-maker’s trip around the world for alphas, and a Real World Guide to Film-Making for omegas. We also have a film program inspired by Dreams, and Film Styles is back again by popular demand!
For Stage Combat lovers…
Between Ian and Hunter, we have combat on camp all summer long! From Viking invasions to Celtic cattle raids, Piracy to Peter Pan there is something for everyone… alphas and omegas, broadsword and rapier, found weapons and combat basics.
If you’re aged 11, 12 or 13 next summer, you’ll also be pleased to hear we’re offering several programs in the 11-16 or 12-18 age range, so you will have more choice than ever before!
Don’t forget… The 2011 website will go live by midnight on Sunday 31 October!
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING ABOUT CENTAURI ARTS CAMP…
Posted by centauri in Arts Camps, arts programs, Centauri Summer Arts Camp., 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 arts programs, Centauri Summer Arts Camp., Creative Writing, Music Camp, Ontario Summer Camp, Writing Camp 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 arts programs, Centauri Summer Arts Camp. 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!
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