Musical Theater Camp Teaching Ideas

Musical theater summer camps allow dramatic students to develop their acting chops and work with like-minded peers to create impressive theatrical works. By offering summer campers an assortment of activities relevant to the genre of musical theater, camp organizers can ensure that the summer program is not only entertaining, but also enriching. A plethora of planned programs help keep campers busy and on-task throughout the hot summer months.

  1. Mini Fairy Tale Skits

    • Allow your campers the opportunity to set their favorite fairy tales to music through the creation of mini fairy tale skits. Divide campers into mixed-gender groups of three or four. Provide each group with a copy of an anthology of fairy tales and allow them to peruse the book and select a fairy tale to bring to life.

      After all campers have selected their tales, instruct them to compose a short skit that embodies the ideas and themes of the tale. Ask the students to select a contemporary or classic song that in some way reflects the themes of the fairy tale, to integrate into their production. Allow the groups access to a collection of CDs or a digital music library while they select their featured song.

      Give all groups time to compose and rehearse their skits, then hold a show in which all groups put on their productions. Add a competitive element to this activity by asking groups or other audience members to vote for the best skit and award the winning creators with crowns to signify their glory.

    Modernized Musical

    • Encourage campers to consider the impact that setting has upon a piece by creating modernized musicals. Prior to beginning this activity, write down on index cards names of musicals with which your campers are likely familiar. Fold these cards and place them in a basket or hat.

      When time for the activity arrives, allow students to divide themselves into groups. Instruct each group to select one of these prepared cards. Ask each group to replace the original setting of their selected musical with a modern one. Instruct each group to select several scenes or musical numbers to act out using their new setting.

      After giving groups time to practice, showcase one group each night at dinner, adding excitement to the evening meal.

    Theme Review

    • Provide your campers an opportunity to exercise their dramatic skills free from constraint. As camp draws to a close, work with your campers to create a theme review. Select a theme with the assistance of your campers. Pick a broad theme, like love or change, that is open to multiple interpretations. Allow campers to form groups or work independently to create skits or musical numbers germane to this theme. Hold an end-of-the-year show in which campers put on their skits and musical numbers for other campers as well as their parents.

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