For 26 summers, children have enjoyed Summer Stage, a magical experience where participants use their imaginations to present shows, create films, or build sets. Since its first year, the program has grown from 65 campers to nearly 500. Summer Stage has become one of the longest-running visual and performing arts camps in South Jersey. What's the secret of its success?
“Over the years, we’ve kept evolving our programs, always trying to be the best at what we do. We emphasize arts enrichment, but most importantly, we focus on fun!” said Ed Fiscella, Mainstage’s producing artistic director and founder.
This year the fun embraces even more ages, programs and locations with the introduction of Broadway Babies (entering k-1st grade) and Collaboration Station, along with a series of week-long themed dance camps like Princess Tea Party Camp and Funky Feet Camp.
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Broadway Babies and Collaboration Station are offered in the Mainstage Studios at Academy Hall, 27 N Black Horse Pike, Blackwood and the Mainstage School of Dance, S1, S2 Cherry Tree Center 475 Hurffville Cross Keys Road, Sewell, NJ. The dance camps are offered at Mainstage School of Dance.
“My girls can’t wait to return to Summer Stage. I really like how their minds are continually learning, even though for them, it's just fun,” said Anne Finnegan of Stratford.
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Programs also include Children's Theatre for students entering 6-12 grades; the behind-the-scenes Technical Theatre and Video Film Production, for those entering 8-12 grades, offered on the Blackwood Campus of Camden County College along with Broadway Dance 2014.
Apprentice, for 4th and 5th graders, along with Kids Stuff, for children entering 2nd grades, will be offered in two new locations: Mainstage Studios in Washington Township and Blackwood.
Most Summer Stage programs provide performance opportunities. In Children's Theatre, each participant will have the chance to perform in one of the three shows, plus the final musical revue. This year, the season includes:Wonderland, Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, Beauty and the Beast, and Broadway for Kids.
“Mainstage was my life while growing up. I started in the Apprentice Program, moved up and eventually worked as an assistant director,” said Billy Hart, who recently performed as a Disney Cruise Line performer. “It’s great to come back and witness its growth.”
Program fees range from $220 for a Kids Stuff session to $550 for the seven-week Children's Theatre session. Summer Stage also offers Stage Key, an affordable before and after-camp program to assist working parents. Visit www.mainstage.org for schedules, fees and early bird discounts, or call: 855-936-2467 ext 6:.
In addition, Mainstage Center for the Arts will host a Summer Stage Open House & Performance Preview, Tuesday, April 29, 6:30 p.m., Dennis Flyer Theatre, Lincoln Hall, Camden County College, Blackwood.
Mainstage Center for the Arts, the parent program for Summer Stage, is a 501 © (3) non-profit organization committed to providing a creative, vibrant, and nurturing environment for youth and adults.This program is made possible in part by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts and by funds from the National Endowment for the Arts.