FIU Theatre to launch interactive summer camp for kids

Tapkannia Keoun/Staff Writer

The FIU Theatre department will be launching a new, interactive summer camp to develop children’s social skills and give them the opportunity to explore their creativity within theatre, said Judy Litt, the theatre events manager.

The camp will be held from Monday, June 12 to Friday, June 16, in the Deuxieme Maison Room 150 at the Modesto Maidique campus and, according to Litt, will give children ages 6-12 the opportunity to improve their reading and writing skills, learn how to work in groups, and also give them the opportunity to become comfortable in a theatre environment.

“A typical day for campers will begin with a physical and vocal warm up, followed by improvisation, theatre games, and acting exercises,” said Melissa Almaguer, the program coordinator for the Business and Leadership Institute at the School of Education.

Almaguer and Litt had previously worked together at the Miami Theater Center, where they created educational programs such as performance workshops.

But, they both agree that it was their passion for children and theatre that led to their decision to collaborate together to create the camp.

Besides having campers participate in acting exercises, the second half of the day would be dedicated to storytelling, according to Almaguer, and having the campers create their own play to perform at the end of the week for family and friends.

A music director, according to Litt, will also be visiting the camp to assist the campers in writing and rehearsing their play before their debut day.

Students that are recommended by the department’s professors will also have the opportunity to work in the camp.

Eddie Llovio, a junior majoring in fine arts, will be the technical director of the camp.

“I make sure everything runs smoothly and that all rules are followed to ensure safety and that all technical equipment is operated properly,” said Llovio.

If the camp is successful, Litt and Almaguer hope to extend it next year into a longer summer program and potentially turn it into an outreach program for children and adults.

The camp will run daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and while there are no specific requirements to join, there is one rule—all participants must have closed-toed shoes. Participants must also bring their own lunch, but all other camp materials such as snacks and water will be provided.

The fee is $150 for the week and there will be a day-to-day aftercare from 4-6 p.m. for an additional $40.

Almaguer said, “I hope it becomes a project the community embraces and leaves a positive impact.”

 

Image retrieved from Flickr.

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