Research has demonstrated that the skills involved in acting and the theatrical arts help close the achievement gap, improve academic skills, and advances students’ motivation to learn. Students who study the arts also learn important life skills, including collaboration, imaginative thinking, decision-making, organization, visualization, empathy and tolerance.
- Story Theater Company provides several workshops each summer tailored to different age ranges.
- STC’s summer programs are a wonderful opportunity for students to develop skills in the theater arts while building self-confidence in a safe and fun environment.
- Classes are developed by professional educators and led by a staff of top Performing Arts students and recent graduates from Iowa State University.
- Classes can fill very quickly. Class size is limited to keep the classes enjoyable for your child and maintain a proper teacher/student ratio. Classes are filled on a first paid basis.
- Grades are based on the grade the student will enter in Fall of 2020.
2020 SUMMER WORKSHOP INFORMATION
Registration begins on March 1, 2020.
Here’s a peek at the fabulous summer workshops we will be offering. Select your favorites, mark your calendar, and get ready to register on March 1!
Early-bird discount through April 30: $15 off 5-day workshops and $10 off 4-day workshops.
Session A: Drama Exploration
Entering grades 1–3 | June 15–19, 9 am–noon
$110 reg/$95 early registration (through April 30)
This half-day workshop is a perfect introduction for young theater artists. With a focus on creative exploration, we’ll discover a few basic acting ideas through games and activities. We’ll also get to do crafts, play with music and movement, and imagine all sorts of things together in the spirit of Daniel Moreton’s funny and endearing tale, Marti and the Mango.
This camp includes a brief sharing time for family at 11:30 am on Friday.
Session B: Introduction to Theater
Entering grades 2–4 | June 22–26, 9 am–4 pm
$195 reg/$180 early registration (through April 30)
Tacky the Penguin and his five closest friends are just living their normal penguin lives in the snow, when one day they meet a group of dangerous penguin hunters! How can they convince the hunters to leave them alone? Based on the beloved book Tacky the Penguin by Helen Lester, this workshop will explore basic acting and staging techniques with plenty of hilarity thrown in.
This camp includes a sharing time for family and friends at 3:30 pm on Friday.
NOTE: This workshop also includes a backstage tour and free matinee performance of STC’s production of Frozen JR.
Session C1: Spot On! Improv Comedy
Entering grades 7–10 | June 29–July 2, 9 am–noon
$95 reg/$85 early registration (through April 30)
Ready to practice thinking on your feet? This four-day (morning) intensive is a great way to build your skills and confidence in the most impromptu form of theater! We’ll dig into the principles of improv and play with scenes, games, and character choices to create storylines on the spot. No scripts here!
(Students who enroll in both sessions C1 and C2 will have the option to bring a lunch and remain at the theater during the hour between workshops. Adult supervision will be provided.)
Session C2: Backstage Magic
Entering grades 7–12 | June 29–July 2, 1 pm–4 pm
$95 reg/$85 early registration (through April 30)
This is your chance to discover the secrets of theatrical design. Step behind the curtain and get your hands on the details of elements like costumes, props, lights, set, and sound. In this four-day (afternoon) workshop, you’ll get to experience everything from design theory and process to actually running a tech board. (It really is kind of magic!)
(Students who enroll in both sessions C1 and C2 will have the option to bring a lunch and remain at the theater during the hour between workshops. Adult supervision will be provided.)
Session D: Acting I – The Boy Who Cried Wolf
Entering grades 4–6 | July 6–10, 9 am–4 pm
$195 reg/$180 early registration (through April 30)
Roy is just watching his sheep one day, when Pearl shows up with a mischievous plan.…involving lots of sheep, some fake wolves, some real wolves, and all of Roy’s family! Join us for this creative retelling of the classic story, and build your performance skills along the way. We’ll learn about themes like plot, character, and staging as we work together and have some fun.
This camp includes a sharing time for family and friends at 3:30 pm on Friday.
Session E: Outside The Box – A Devised Theater Experience
Entering grades 8–12 | July 13–17, Mon–Thu: 9 am–4 pm; Fri: 9 am–5:30 pm
$195 reg/$180 early registration (through April 30)
Our popular devised theater workshop is back in an all-new, redesigned format! With inspiration from music, literature, and visual art, we’ll spend this week devising a wide variety of unique theatrical performances. Get ready to act, move, improvise, and create in a highly collaborative ensemble setting. Featuring lots of room for every kind of theater artist, this one-of-a-kind experience is one you don’t want to miss.
This camp includes a participant pizza party followed by a showcase for family and friends at 5:30 on Friday.
Session F: Musical Theater I – The Aristocats KIDS
Entering grades 5–7 | July 20–24, Mon–Thu: 9 am–4 pm; Fri: 9 am–6 pm; Sat performance at 2 pm
$195 reg /$180 early registration (through April 30)
Adapted from Disney’s beloved feline classic, The Aristocats KIDS is chock-full of your favorite jazzy characters and songs. This week will provide a fast-paced, fun education in musical theater (singing, dancing, and acting) while we work to stage this 30-minute musical.
This camp includes a pizza party after class on Friday, followed by a performance at 5:30 pm AND a second performance on Saturday at 2:00 pm.
Session G: Musical Theater II
Entering grades 8–12 | July 27–31, Mon–Thu: 9 am–4 pm; Fri: 9 am–5:30 pm
$195 reg/$180 early registration (through April 30)
What does it look like to “act” a song or “sing” a scene? This is STC’s classic musical theatre workshop with an emphasis on music and text interpretation, healthy use of voice, selection of material, and audition techniques. Each student participates in ensemble pieces as well as solo material, and we’ll finish the week with a cabaret performance.
This camp includes a participant pizza party followed by a showcase for family and friends at 5:30 on Friday.
Session H: Acting II – Check It Out
Entering grades 5–8 | August 3–7, Mon–Thu: 9 am–4 pm; Fri: 9 am–5:30 pm
$195 reg/$180 early registration (through April 30)
“Check It Out” is a collection of scenes exploring the twists and turns of life as a middle schooler. Designed for every experience level, this workshop will dive into topics like acting techniques, script analysis and character development. Featuring a variety of themes and ideas, “Check It Out” presents a perfect way to grow your theatrical skills in several different directions.
This camp includes a participant pizza party followed by a showcase for family and friends at 5:30 on Friday.
Session I: Story Creation Experience
Entering grades 5–8 | August 10–13, 9 am–noon
$95 reg/$85 early registration (through April 30)
In this four-day (morning) workshop, we will explore topics like improv, plot building, and character work to create stories from scratch. We’ll write down ideas, act things out, and perform a series of original short works at the end of Thursday’s workshop time. This session is a unique combination experience we think you’ll want to join!
Story Theater Company must receive payment before your child will be considered registered for the class. You may pay online or send a check. Please make checks payable to Story Theater Company and send to Story Theater Company Summer Workshops, P.O. Box 436, Ames, IA 50010. If paying by check, payment must be received within two weeks or the registration will be canceled.
Story Theater Company reserves the right to cancel classes due to insufficient registration.
Please review the Workshop Handbook and Registration FAQ before you register your child for any classes.
The staff of Story Theater Company have high standards for the behavior of any participant. Disruptive behavior may result in a participant’s dismissal from the program at the sole discretion of the instructors with no refund of registration fees.
Workshops will be held at Story Theater Company, 615 South Dayton Avenue, Suite 133, Ames, IA 50010.
You can contact us for more information at manager@storytheatercompany.org.