Premiere Stages Announces Camps for Young Theatre Artists at Kean University

(UNION, NJ) -– Premiere Stages, the professional theatre in residence at Kean University, announces two fun and engaging theatre camp sessions, the perfect summer arts activity for creative students. After successfully expanding Camp Premiere to offer two camps this past summer, Premiere has tailored this year's camps to focus on performance. Premiere is proud to offer collaborative environments that allow campers to experiment with different acting and storytelling techniques and learn first-hand from industry professionals.

Session 1: "Let's Put on a Show" is a performance and story-telling camp for ages 11 – 14, and runs July 18th through July 29th, 2011. Students will learn the elements of acting and play development through innovative, active exercises and games that help them translate their creative ideas and impulses into fully conceptualized and mountable original performances for the stage. Working with professional actors, directors and playwrights in a fun, creative and collaborative environment campers will craft and star in their own showcase. This camp session culminates in a public performance of the campers' work developed over the two-week period, followed by a certificate presentation and reception for the participants. Camp runs Monday through Friday from 10am - 2pm.

Session 2, "Taking the Stage" is an Acting Camp for ages 15-18, and runs July 25th - August 5th, 2011. Students focus on the craft of acting including scene work, audition technique, monologue preparation, movement and voice/speech. Students all have the chance to work closely with professional actors and directors, as well as guest artists in fields such as stage combat, casting and improvisation. Campers perform monologues as well as scenes from original plays that have been developed through the Premiere Stages Play Festival. This camp session culminates in a public performance of the monologues and scenes, followed by a certificate presentation and reception for the participants.  Camp runs Monday through Friday from 10am - 2pm.

The cost for each session is $295. Scholarships are available, with preference given to Union County residents. For more information or to request an application, please contact Clare Drobot, Producing Associate at cdrobot@kean.edu or 908-737-4092. Interested students should submit a completed registration form, along with a short "camp expectations" statement and a $25 application fee to Premiere Stages at Kean University. The fee ensures inclusion in the camp and serves as the initial tuition payment. Space is limited and slots will be filled on a first come, first served basis.

More information and application forms are available online at www.kean.edu/premierestages.

In addition to Camp Premiere, the Paper Mill Playhouse Summer Musical Theater Conservatory classes and workshops will be held at Kean University in Union, New Jersey in cooperation with the Department of Theatre and its resident Equity theatre company, Premiere Stages.

Premiere Stages is made possible in part through funding from the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, The New Jersey State Council on the Arts, The Provident Bank Foundation, and through the generous support of patrons. Premiere Stages offers free or discounted tickets to patrons with disabilities. All Premiere Stages facilities are fully accessible spaces. Please call for a list of sign-interpreted, audio-described or open-captioned performances. Large print programs and assisted listening devices are available upon request.