Performing Arts Camp
July 7-11, 2025 for Grades 1-8 (as of the 2025-2026 School Year)
Enjoy a week of fun with Youtheatre! During this week-long day camp, you will work with professional local teaching artists to learn about the performing arts while staging a production of the musical Bounce! for our community to enjoy. In addition, you will participate in age-appropriate performing arts workshops such as creative dramatics, acting, movement, music, improvisation and theatre games led by local teaching artists.
About Bounce! A New Musical:
Bounce! is a high-energy, contemporary new musical about Reggie, a 10-year-old with endless energy who just can’t stay out of trouble at school. Through hilarious interactions with his/her classmates—like Low, who’s tired of the “smart kid” label, and Hoops, who is obsessed with lunch—Reggie learns that his/her energy can be a strength, not a weakness.
Camp Specifics:
- The Camp is open to rising 1-8 graders (The grade you will be going into for the 2025-2026 School Year).
- Grades 1 & 2: 15 spots
- Grades 3-8: 45 spots
- Camp is 9 am to 3 pm Monday – Thursday.
- Camp is from 1:00 p.m. to end of performance on Friday.
- End of Camp Performance will be at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, July 11. All General Admission Seats are $10. Tickets will go on sale Monday, July 7.
- Everyone participating in the camp MUST be available for ALL camp activities and performances.
- Auditions will be held on Monday (no preparation required) with rehearsals and workshops throughout the week. All costumes and make-up are provided.
- Each camper is expected to bring their own nutritious lunch Monday through Thursday. Please be aware that in order to serve as many students as possible, we have implemented a NO NUT rule, and we cannot refrigerate or heat lunches.
- A pizza party will be provided on Friday for all students.
- Cost is $200 per camper for the week.
- A limited number of full and partial scholarships are available based on financial need.
- MCPA reserves the right to cancel any camp; refunds are made for cancellation.
- There will be no refunds given after June 1, 2025. Cancellations before the refund deadline will be honored with a full refund, minus a $25 administration fee.
Performing Arts Camp Teaching Artists
Jonda Harroun
Dani Hummel-Sass
Julie Lane
Clint Miller
Kristina Rowe
Lindsay Taylor
Youtheatre Academy
July 14-18, 2025 for Grades 6-12 (as of the 2025-2026 School Year)
Are you ready to step up your game and become a true triple threat? Are you willing to give it your all and raise your acting, singing, and dancing skills to the next level?
Join us this year for Youtheatre Academy, where campers will act, sing and dance their way through some of Broadway’s most iconic songs and show-stopping numbers!
 Youtheatre Academy is a program designed as a high energy filled intensive, one-week day camp that will focus on improving the young actor’s theatre skills. Working with a staff of talented professional and local teaching artists, young actors will participate in small and large group settings to improve their craft, increase performance confidence, and present an end of Academy showcase featuring repertoire from Broadway musicals.
Camp Specifics:
- The Camp is open to rising 6-12 graders
- Camp will be 9 a.m-4 p.m. Monday-Thursday
- Camp is from 1:00 p.m. to end of performance on Friday.
- End of Camp Performance will be at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, July 18. All General Admission Seats are $10. Tickets will go on sale on Monday, July 14.
- Everyone participating in the camp MUST be available for ALL camp activities and performance.
- A pizza party will be provided on Friday for all students.
- A limited number of scholarships are available based upon financial need.
- Cost is $200 per camper for the week.
- Tuitions are non-transferable.
- MCPA reserves the right to cancel any camp; refunds are made for cancellation.
- There will be no refunds given after June 1, 2025. Cancellations before the refund deadline will be honored with a full refund, minus a $25 administration fee.
Youtheatre Academy Teaching Artists
Ashley Cambers
Jonda Harroun
Dani Hummel- Sass
Clint Miller
Kristina Rowe
Abigail Starcher
Camp & Academy FAQs
What is a typical day at camp?
Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Friday, 1:00 p.m.- End of Showcase Performance
Students arrive at camp between 8:45 and 9 a.m. (12:45-1:00 p.m. on Friday) and sign in with the counselors before joining their group. After morning meeting and warm-ups, campers and their counselors go to class sessions taught by our theatre education professionals.
We have two snack breaks throughout the day and a lunch break. Snacks and lunch are not provided. The camp day concludes at 4:00 p.m.
Just a reminder that your child MUST be able to attend ALL of the workshops, rehearsals, and performances for the week. No exceptions (except in the case of a medical or family emergency).
What are the pick-up and drop-off procedures?
All information will be emailed to families prior to camp starting. Anyone picking up a child from camp must be authorized to do so on the child’s paperwork. Students will not be permitted to leave camp with anyone who is not authorized in advance.
Parent/guardian MUST sign campers in and out each day, unless they are driving themselves to and from academy.
Are lunch or snacks provided?
We do not provide snacks or lunch to campers. Please be aware that in order to serve as many students as possible, we have implemented a NO NUT rule, and we cannot refrigerate or heat lunches.
We have two snack breaks throughout the day and a lunch break.
Who teaches camp?
Our teachers are theatre professionals with years of experience and a strong focus on education.
Does my child need acting experience to attend camp?
All children of any experience level are welcome at Performing Arts Camp. Our professional teachers adjust class material based on the students’ levels of experience.
Youtheatre Academy is a week-long, highly intensive camp for students who have a background in the performing arts. Prior experience in the performing arts is highly encouraged for this camp.
May parents/guardians watch the camp sessions?
We ask that parents/guardians do not stay during the camp day or enter classroom spaces while camp is in progress. Students are less inhibited and feel more confident when adults other than the teachers are not in the room.
Is there a performance at the end of camp?
Yes. Performing Arts Camp's performance will be a performance at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, July 11. General Admission Seats are all $10.
Youtheatre Academy's showcase will be at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, July 18. General Admission Seats are all $10.
Clothing
This is a movement-based camp, and all classes will require campers to be able to move around safely. Please ensure that your student wears clothing and close-toed shoes in which they can move easily and comfortably. Please make sure that if skirts or wide-legged shorts are worn, leggings or under-skirt shorts accompany them so that campers are covered during those activities. If a camper comes in a skirt or wide-legged shorts without leggings or under-skirt shorts, we will have to call and ask for a pair of leggings or under-skirt shorts to be brought to camp.
Clothing NOT permitted includes:
- Jeans
- Open-toed sandals
- Sagging pants
Footwear
All shoes must have a back on them and be closed-toed. We highly recommend tennis shoes, but other soft-soled shoes are okay as well. Dance shoes are not necessary for camp but welcome for those who have them and would like to wear them.
Footwear NOT permitted includes:
- Flip-flops, crocs or other loose sandals
- High heels
- Tap shoes
- Wheelies
If any of the above are worn to camp, we will have to call and ask for another pair of shoes to be brought to camp. The activities require secure footwear for safe participation.
Outside Toys and Technology
All electronics, toys and valuable items should be kept at home. MCPA is not responsible for any lost, broken or stolen items. Please make sure that your child’s name is clearly marked on everything they bring – lunch bag, water bottle, jackets, etc.
Behavior
We subscribe to a positive discipline model of behavior management at MCPA. If campers are participating in disruptive behavior, our instructors and counselors first use positive reinforcement and redirection to help them identify what is causing the behavior and then figure out strategies for making better choices.
In cases where the behavior continues, the following steps are taken. These are also shared with the campers on the first day of camp after going over the rules and expectations for camp:
- Warning
- Sit out from the activity
- Conversation with the camp’s teaching artists
- Speak with a member of the camp leadership team
- Call home/Conversations with parents or guardians
- Removal from camp
In cases where camp staff are concerned that the behavior of a camper is harmful to themselves, other campers, staff or their surroundings, steps may be bypassed to address the situation.
Registration FAQs
Who should I contact with additional questions?
Craig VanRenterghem, Education Director, education@mcpa.org
What do I do if a camp session is full when I register?
Please email Craig VanRenterghem at education@mcpa.org to be placed on the waiting list.
What is the refund policy?
There will be no refunds given after June 1, 2025. Cancellations before the refund deadline will be honored with a full refund, minus a $25 administration fee.
Do you offer scholarships?
Full- and partial-tuition scholarships are available to students who can demonstrate financial need. Scholarships are limited, and awards will be determined based on need. Please email Craig VanRenterghem, education@mcpa.org for more details.
What happens after I register?
You will receive an informational email one month before the start of camp with additional information. If you have any questions or you do not receive your order confirmation, please contact the Education Director education@mcpa.org
Is payment required with registration?
Yes. Payment must be received at the time of registration in order to hold a place for your child in the camp. Please call the Ticket Office at 419.423.2787 ext. 100 if you have any questions. The Ticket Office is open weekdays from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
How do I register?
Registration opens April 1! Registration will be available online or in person at the MCPA Ticket Office. The MCPA Ticket Office is available at 419.423.2787 ext. 100, weekdays from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. to answer questions. You may register for camp online and in person only.