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Overnight Theatre Arts Camp!!

June 21 - 26, 2009

During last season’s overnight camp, Brian Lowdermilk and Kait Kerrigan, YPTW alumni and award-winning composers, taught a class on song writing. The students wrote a song about YPTW called “Take the Stage”. It has become a phrase that sums up YPTW. At YPTW Theatre Arts Camp everyone takes the stage in an atmosphere of nurturing support and sparkling creativity. The result is a surprise to all campers. Their growth as actors is exponential and they learn more in five days than they can imagine. Of course, it is helpful that the staff and guest lecturers include some outstanding performers, artists and educators. In the past three years, staff members have included Josh Young (National Tour, Marius in Les Miserables, Link in Hairspray at Walnut Street Theatre) and Brian Lowdermilk and Kait Kerrigan. Kerrigan and Lowdermilk’s adaptation of Henry & Mudge had an Off-Broadway run at the Lucille Lortel Theatre and is currently touring the country with TheatreworksUSA.

Guest Lecturers at YPTW camp have included Christina DeCicco (National Tour, Glinda in Wicked), Jodie Langel, Broadway Actress and author of Makin’ It on Broadway, and Tony Nominee Alison Fraser, originator of the role of Martha in A Secret Garden.

Students arrive at camp on a Sunday afternoon. An evening of activities designed to encourage a family atmosphere follow check-in. Classes begin on Monday with a morning filled with dance, acting and singing classes. Students choose from a list of electives in the afternoon. These classes might include the “Ten Minute Musical” playwriting class. It might be a Shakespeare class or even a juggling class. Evenings include special speakers, master classes, a swim night and an evening when students share their work with one another.

It can be a life changing experience at the most and a great week of fun at the very least. Check out our "Theatre Camps" section for more information!

Young People's Theate Workshop welcomes you to our little stage on the web. As we celebrate our 30th year of instruction in the dramatic arts, we thought it was time to bring ourselves into the the age of the internet!! Here you will find information on our course offerings, upcoming shows and theatre camps. You will also find photos, alumni news and links to some of our favorite theatrical websites.

"YPTW is an educational organization dedicated to the training of young people in the theatre arts. We encourage our students to become total theatre people: well-versed in every aspect of the art form.'

Each Saturday, over 200 students enjoy classes at Young People's Theatre Workshop! The numbers have grown in the past thirty years. However, the goals of YPTW remain very much the same.YPTW offers a wide variety of classes including Mastering Monologues, Shakespearean Scenes, Broadway Repertoire, Musical Comedy, Broadway Dance, Tap Dance, Stage Make-up and Hair Design and Introduction to Theatre. Another tradition that has continued throughout our long history is the annual spring musical production on main stage at the Players Club of Swarthmore. Every June audiences enjoy a full-scale production with over 80 -100 students, a live orchestra and magnificent sets and costumes.

YPTW classes are still held at The Players Club of Swarthmore but the Workshop's offerings now include an overnight camp at Eastern College in June, a summer day camp at PCS and a small musical workshop for students in grades 3-7 during the months of November and December.

YPTW@aol.com