Story Theater Company is excited to offer in-person summer workshops while doing everything within our power to maintain a COVID-safe environment for all participants.
This is going to require a partnership between Story Theater Company (including staff, board, and facilities) and all participants (including the people they come in contact with). Covid mitigation protocols will be implemented.
At this time, the general mitigation protocols include:
- mask-wearing if not vaccinated
- social distancing to the greatest extent possible
- hand sanitization
- an enforced illness policy
- frequent sanitization of facility
If community COVID conditions change, Story Theater Company may choose to alter some of its COVID guidelines.
A more detailed description of STC’s current COVID-19 Policy for summer workshops can be found here.
Summer Workshops Details
Research has demonstrated that the skills involved in acting and the theatrical arts help close the achievement gap, improve academic skills, and advance 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.
- Grades are based on the grade the student will enter in Fall 2021.
- 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. Payment via PayPal (credit/debit/PP) must be completed at the time of registration to reserve your spot.
- Partial need-based scholarships are available for summer workshops. Please contact manager@storytheatercompany.org for more details and to request a scholarship form.
Here are the fabulous summer workshops we are offering for Summer 2021.
Session A: Drama Exploration
Entering grades 1-3 | June 14–18; Mon–Fri: 9 am–noon
Workshop Fee: $110
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 workshop includes a brief sharing time for parents at 11:30 am on Friday. (Masks and social distancing required.)
Session B: Introduction to Theater
Entering grades 3-5 | June 21–25; Mon–Fri: 9 am–4 pm
Workshop Fee: $220
Tacky the Penguin and his five closest friends are 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 workshop includes a sharing time for parents 3:30 pm on Friday. (Masks and social distancing required.)
Session C: Acting I–The Boy Who Cried Wolf
Entering grades 4-6 | June 28–July 2; Mon–Fri: 9 am–4 pm
Workshop Fee: $220
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 workshop includes a sharing time for parents 3:30 pm on Friday. (Masks and social distancing required.)
Session D1: Spot On! Improv Comedy
Entering grades 7-10 | July 6—9; Mon–Thu: 9am–noon
Workshop Fee: $95
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 D1 and D2 will have the option to bring a lunch and remain at the theater during the hour between workshops. Adult supervision will be provided.)
Session D2: Backstage Magic
Entering grades 7-12 | July 6—9; Tue–Fri: 1 pm–4 pm
Workshop Fee: $95
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 D1 and D2 will have the option to bring a lunch and remain at the theater during the hour between workshops. Adult supervision will be provided.)
Session E: Outside The Box–A Devised Theater Experience
Entering grades 8-12 | July 12–16; Mon–Thu: 9 am–4 pm, Fri: 9 am–5:30 pm
Workshop Fee: $220
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. With lots of room for every kind of theater artist, this is a one-of-a-kind experience.
This workshop includes a participant pizza party followed by a showcase for parents at 5:30 on Friday. (Masks and social distancing required at showcase.)
Session F: Acting II–Check It Out
Entering grades 6-8 | July 19–23; Mon–Thu: 9 am–4 pm, Fri: 9 am–5:30 pm
Workshop Fee: $220
“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 workshop includes a participant pizza party followed by a showcase for parents at 5:30 on Friday. (Masks and social distancing required at showcase.)
This workshop is currrently sold out. Please consider another workshop of the appropriate grade level.
Session G: Musical Theatre
Entering grades 8-12 | July 26–30; Mon–Thu: 9 am–4 pm, Fri: 9 am–5:30 pm
Workshop Fee: $220
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 workshop includes a participant pizza party followed by a showcase for parents at 5:30 on Friday. (Masks and social distancing required at showcase.)
Session H-1: Story Creation Experience-Morning Session
Entering grades 4-7 | August 2–6; Mon–Fri: 9 am–noon
Workshop Fee: $110
In this half-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 Friday’s workshop time. This workshop is a unique combination experience!
This workshop is identical to Session H-2: Story Creation Experience-Afternoon Session.
Please register for only one.
Session H-2: Story Creation Experience-Afternoon Session
Entering grades 4-7 | August 2–6; Mon–Fri: 9 am–noon
Workshop Fee: $110
In this half-day, afternoon 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 Friday’s workshop time. This workshop is a unique combination experience!
This workshop is identical to Session H-1: Story Creation Experience-Morning Session.
Please register for only one.
- Story Theater Company reserves the right to cancel classes due to insufficient registration.
- 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.
- Please review the Registration FAQ 2021 and STC’s Summer Workshop 2021 COVID-19 Policy before you register your child for any classes.
- Workshops will be held at Story Theater Company, 615 South Dayton Avenue, Suite 133, Ames, IA 50010.
- Questions? Contact us for more information at manager@storytheatercompany.org.