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Mahaffey education program adds theater summer camp
Every summer, on both sides of the bay, theater companies invite children to participate in theater camp. Community theaters, and even some of the professionals, have been “camping” for decades, giving young people the opportunity to immerse themselves in the thrill of creative collaboration and performance: The pot of gold at the end of the summer rainbow is always a fully-produced show.
After 29 seasons, the Mahaffey Theater’s Class Acts program is getting in on the act. Traditionally, Class Acts, in partnership with Pinellas County Schools, buses in thousands of schoolchildren to see professionally-produced stage shows that combine entertainment and education.
Class Acts at the Mahaffey Theater.
That very successful program continues – but now there’s something new. The Seussical Jr. Summer Camp is a two week camp – July 17-21 and 24-28. Students will receive training in acting, singing, dancing and set design activities, and participate in a production of Seussical Jr., onstage at the 2,000-seat Mahaffey.
Katrina Young is Education and Outreach Coordinator for the Bill Edwards Foundation for the Arts, the nonprofit that supports Mahaffey programming and oversees the Class Acts program. She’s been on the job since February.
“When I was first hired, Bill and I discussed how we really wanted to open up the Class Acts experience to also include hands-on activities,” Young said. “That’s something that I am extremely passionate about, and the Foundation is really on board with – to take it to the next level, we want to add these opportunities.
“All these other theaters around the area are doing it as well, so why can’t we?”
Katrina Young
Young is a veteran theater instructor with Sears Studio Performing Arts Academy, the Largo based, year-round children’s theater school operated by longtime educator Nancy Sears Topper.
Seussical Jr. is a 60-minute adaptation of the musical Seussical, by Tony winners Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty. It is a musical distillation of the best-known works of children’s author Dr. Seuss.
Open to anyone from 4th grade to high school, auditions will be held Saturday (July 8) at 7 p.m. in the Mahaffey Theater ballroom (there will be a greeter at the theater’s front door).
“Students need to come prepared, with a song from the show if they can – or any song!” Young explained. “And we’ll probably have them read from the script.” No prior experience is necessary.
On the summer camp website, Young has posted a link to a recording of the show’s soundtrack, as well as registration and other information.
After auditions, the camp is tuition-based; several scholarships are available, based on both financial need and talent. There is also an available grant, Young explained, through the St. Petersburg Arts Alliance.
The live production of Seussical Jr. will take place July 28 and 29. All camp participants will be cast in the show. “I’m certain it will be a success,” said Young. “I know we’re going to put on a great show.”
The 30th anniversary season of Class Acts will begin once the school year is in full swing. New this year: In addition to the professional touring shows, one Class Acts production will be locally-produced, with assistance from Sears Studio Performing Arts Academy.
And, according to Young, she’s adding eight individually themed “hands-on” days – special events – throughout the school year. “One day might be dance, the next might be music, books and literature or plays. Things like that.”
