It's Not Brain Surgery... It's A Highly Recommended Summer Acting Camp #summercamps #Ad

Don't despair if you're not one of those uber organized parents who had summer all mapped out back in January.   There are still some major gems in the Chi-town summer camp crown that have space available.   We are thrilled to partner up with Brain Arts Camp for this sponsored post.  Got a budding 6-18 year old thespian (or actor for you less erudite types)?   Check out Brain Arts Camp at Gorilla Tango.

We've done super fun workshops with them via 826CHI and highly recommend their creative, child led approach to mounting an entire show from scratch each camp week.  Only one session is full as of this posting, but you might want to hutch-a-moley once we leak the word.   We'll be sending our own son to Brain Arts Camp and highly recommend it!   Thanks to Brain Surgeon Theater for cutting us a discount on tuition for publicity.   Barter system rocks.

A good friend of ours went to Brain Arts Camp two years ago and LOVED it.   We got to see her impressively awesome final show.    Last summer she tried more of a mainstream theatre camp with a mega award winning company and she found that Brain Arts was better!   This year she's back with the little guys.


Here's the scoop:

Brain Surgeon Theater's unique Experiential Theater Arts camp invites kids and teens ages 6-18 to bring their energy, imagination, and ideas to help us create an unusual and spectacular play for a very special performance on the last day of camp! 

New this year -- movie making camp & an acting intensive! Kids will spend mornings working alongside professional Chicago theater artists as they write, rehearse, and perform an original play from scratch; afternoons will focus on fun skill-building workshops including scenic and costume design, voice, movement, and dance.  No experience is necessary to participate.  Space is limited to 15 campers - contact us today to reserve your spot for the next session!

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Summer 2013

New location! Gorilla Tango Theater at 

1919 N Milwaukee. 

”Sail Away, Buttercup!” a Rock Musical

July 8 - 12, 2013

9 am - 3 pm at Gorilla Tango (1919 N Milwaukee)

Instructors: Gwen Tulin, Nic Ruley

Cost: $300 per camper or $500 for sibling pairs

Final Performances Friday, July 12 at 4 pm and 6 pm at Gorilla Tango (1919 N Milwaukee). Reception follows 6 pm performance.

“Focus In, Pan Out!” a Movie Making Camp

July 22 - 26, 2013

9 am - 3 pm at Gorilla Tango (1919 N Milwaukee)

Instructors: Gwen Tulin, Nic Ruley

Cost: $300 per camper or $500 for sibling pairs

Rough cut screening on Friday, July 26 at 4 pm at Gorilla Tango (1919 N Milwaukee). 

”Robots, Aliens, and My Summer Vacation” a Rock Musical  SOLD OUT!

August 12 - 16, 2013

9 am - 3 pm at Gorilla Tango (1919 N Milwaukee)

Instructors: Gwen Tulin, Nic Ruley

Cost: $300 per camper or $500 for sibling pairs

Final Performances Friday, August 16 at 4 pm and 6 pm at Gorilla Tango (1919 N Milwaukee). Reception follows 6 pm performance.

*NEW!* Acting Intensive - ages 10 & up

Scene study, monologue work, and audition prep for the serious young performer. 

August 19 - 24, 2013

9 am - 3 pm at Gorilla Tango (1919 N Milwaukee)

Instructors: Gwen Tulin, Nic Ruley

Cost: $300 per camper or $500 for sibling pairs

Final Showcase Friday, August 24 at 4 pm at Gorilla Tango (1919 N Milwaukee). Reception follows 6 pm performance.

Camp & Performance Location: 

Gorilla Tango Theater

1919 N Milwaukee Avenue

Chicago, IL 60642

For more information:

Email brainsurgeontheater@gmail.com or call 773-798-9915

Click here to register now! 

Limit 15 campers per session. 

READ ABOUT OUR PAST CAMP SHOWS!

READ OUR TEACHER BIOS!

READ OUR BRAIN ARTS MISSION STATEMENT!

Disclosure:  Thanks again to Brain Surgeon Theater for cutting us a discount on tuition for publicity.  

Summer Camp Registration Time-Northlight Performing Arts Camp #summercamps

Northlight Theatre announces

the Summer 2013

Northlight Performing Arts Camp

Hey parents, there's no rest for the resourceful.   It's that time of year again...time to suss out summer camps for your littles.   If you have a ham in the family, consider Northlight Performing Arts Camp, for your aspiring thespian in grades 3-10.

Northlight Theatre, under the direction of Artistic Director BJ Jones and Executive Director Timothy J. Evans, is offering its acclaimed Summer 2013 theatre camps for grades 3–10. Northlight's Performing Arts Camp combines professional theatre training with timeless summer camp traditions and a public end-of-session showcase performed on the professional stage.

Northlight's education programming is built on the belief that self-expression, creative thought and confidence are the keys to well-being. Northlight believes the arts teach these skills by encouraging reflective thought, discipline and collaboration.

Northlight’s philosophy is to recognize each child as an individual. Their teaching professionals are committed to sharing their love of theatre in a safe, age-appropriate setting and to helping students build a lifelong appreciation for theatre and the arts.

Northlight Performing Arts Camp has sessions for Junior Campers (Grades 3-6) and Senior Campers (Grades 7-10).

Camp highlights include:
• Field trips and performances from top Chicago theatres each session
• Workshops with guest artists from other area theatres, including Steppenwolf, Goodman, Chicago Shakespeare, Redmoon, Lookingglass and Northlight
• Core classes shape the skills of Junior Campers and advance the skills of Senior Campers in acting, improvisation, singing, movement and backstage technique.  The electives introduce Junior Campers to mask work, playwriting and musical theatre.  Among the electives for Senior Campers are advanced improvisation, Shakespeare and stage make-up.
• Weekly (Junior Camp) or bi-weekly (Senior Camp) Friday afternoon trips to the Skokie Water Park.

Session 1 runs June 17 – July 12, 2013 (no Camp July 4, Camp show July 11); Session 2 runs July 16 – August 9, 2013 (no Camp July 15, Camp show August 8).

Drop off times for the camp are between 9:00-9:30am; pick up times are between 3:00-3:30pm.

Northlight has added a new, one-week session, Adventures in Playmaking for grades 2-6.  The session runs August 12–August 16, 2013.

Northlight Performing Arts Camp will take place at Northlight Theatre housed in the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts located at 9501 Skokie Blvd. Classes and rehearsals take place on the Northlight stage, work rooms, and Rice rehearsal room.  Keeping with Northlight's tradition, students will rehearse, perform and explore on our professional Northlight Theatre stage. During tech week, the fourth week of each session, students spend half the day in technical rehearsals on the Northlight stage, adding lights, sound and costumes to the showcases. The other half of the day is spent in Northlight's Rice Rehearsal Room to play theatre games, brush-up staging and prepare for Thursday night's showcase for friends and family.

Fees:

One session: $895 before March 15; $925 after March 15
Two sessions or siblings: $1,770 before March 15; $1,830 after March 15

One week Adventures in Playmaking session: $250

Scholarships:

All Northlight Performing Arts Camp need-based scholarships are first come, first serve.  Scholarship applications will be available at northlight.org/camp mid-January.  

Contact Amanda Jane Dunne at adunne@northlight.org or 847.324.1608 for registration.  For more information visit Northlight’s website at www.northlight.org/camp.

EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION for Summer 2013 is NOW AVAILABLE for all returning Camp families for $885/Session – register online or contact Performing Arts Camp Director Amanda Jane Dunne by email or calling 847.324.1608.  Regular registration begins January 15.

Northlight Theatre aspires to promote change of perspective and encourage compassion by exploring the depth of our humanity across a bold spectrum of theatrical experiences, reflecting our community to the world and the world to our community.

Now in its 38^th season, the organization has mounted nearly 200 productions, including over 40 world premieres.  Northlight has earned 151 Joseph Jefferson Award nominations and 28 Awards.  As one of the area’s premier theatre companies, Northlight is a regional magnet for critical and professional acclaim, as well as talent of the highest quality.

Win Free Tickets--CircEsteem's Spring Circus Is Nearly Here #Giveaway

Enter at the bottom of this post for your chance to win 4 FREE tickets.

We love circus arts.   The colorful fun, high flying trapeze & silks & lyra people, belly busting--laugh inducing clowns, Chinese Pole climbers, acrobats, jugglers, gym wheel, and other mad skills make the circus one of our favorite types of shows.   My own kids, now 9 & 11, have been very involved with CircEsteem for two years and have advanced to their pre-team, learned to juggle, and taken classes in aerial arts (Spanish web, lyra, silks, trapeze), Chinese Pole, and basic "Saturday circus buffet"--a smorgasbord of skills.     

We highly recommend checkin' out their summer camp, and classes.   They also run great birthday parties!

CircEsteem has 6 performances of their big, annual spring show starting May 11th (Sagezilla's birthday).    Click here for all the details and to reserve your tickets in advance!

Advanced tickets are $15 for adults and $8 for kids and can be purchased online. Special reserved front row seats are $35. Limited reserved parking is available for $20.

Join us for a Benefit Reception on Friday May 11th at 6:00 pm.  Proceeds from the benefit will help underwrite CircEsteem's Scholarship Fund.

For more info visit www.CircEsteem.org   
Click here to purchase tickets.  


Check out CircEsteem on ChiIL Mama's YouTube Channel here for 8 original videos, including live show footage and our interview with CircEsteem's Executive Director, Maribeth Joy, below.






Enter here for your chance to win a free family 4 pack of tixs to your choice of shows!

 *Wait for Rafflecopter to load up right here (if you've gone through RSS feed or are scrolling down the blog and don't see it, click on the actual page title and it should pop right up).   Entries are free n easy.   Winning rocks!   

Lil Buds Theatre Camp #Cool Camps for Chi IL Kids

Here's the haps from our friends over at Lil Buds.   They're an award winning theatre troupe with sweet summer camps and classes for kids ages 3-18.   Du-Jay and Sagezilla took after school classes with them for the past two years and loved it.

Greetings!
Happy Spring, families and friends!  We here at Li'l Buds are starting rehearsals for our Spring production of Peter Pan and preparing for our upcoming Theatre Summer Camp 2012!  Some sessions are almost completely full, so please make sure your register your child soon to guarantee them a spot in our fun-filled, creative programming!  We always encourage returning campers and older students to try out for our elite Summer Ensemble, and this year we are doing TWO camp sessions!  A 2-week PLAY (Robin Goodfellow) and a 3-week MUSICAL (Grease).  There is a required audition for this camp happening this Saturday, April 21st from 2-4pm here at our Studio- so email us for a time slot!  

And join on us Saturdays for some great workshops!  11-12pm is our Creative Dramatics class for 3-6 yr olds and 12:30-2pm is our Theatre Games class for 7-12yr olds.  Have even younger Li'l Buds?  Join us for our family Storytime every Tuesday at 10am!  Hope to see you all soon!

Theatre Summer Camp

Announcing our 2012 Theatre Summer Camp season!
Seussical, Charlotte’s Web, Robin Goodfellow and Grease!
*THESE CAMPS TAKE PLACE AT THE GREENHOUSE THEATRE CENTER AT 2257 N. LINCOLN AVE*

Theatre is a collaborative art.
With that in mind, the mission of the Li’l Buds Theatre Summer Camp is to instill the importance of collaboration and imagination.  We strive to build team work, self confidence, and a sense of accomplishment in each child. Through music, movement, playwriting and performance, we intend to help your child blossom into an enlightened theatre artist.  We offer a variety of different programs for all ages and skill levels from 3 years old to teen programming.  Check out the tabs on the left for information on the session your are interested or click below!

Li’l Buds (one week session ages 7-12)
Baby Buds (one week session ages 3-6)
Li’l Buds Summer Stock MUSICAL - Seussical! (two week session ages 7-12)
Li’l Buds Summer Stock PLAY – Charlotte’s Web (two week session ages 7-12)
Li’l Buds Summer Ensemble PLAY – Robin Goodfellow (entry by audition only, two week session ages 10-18)
Li’l Buds Summer Ensemble MUSICAL – Grease (entry by audition only, three week session ages 10-18)

Li’l Buds EDGEWATER

August 6th - August 10th 2012

9:00am -2:00pm

Monday - Friday

7-12 year olds

$200 per session

 

Throughout the camp week, we will focus on different aspects of theatre including movement, vocal production, playwriting, scene study, improvisation, theatre education/terminology, as well as set, prop and costume design/construction.  In classes, children will learn and master these skills, and will develop their own play to be performed at the end of camp each week. The plays they create will strive to reflect different aspects of life, relevant to themselves and their peers.  Each week, on the very first day of camp, the students will select a theme that they will use to help inspire their play.  Some of the themes will include:  friendship, family, fears/dreams and personal stories, as well as stories inspired by art/artists, literature, sound/noises, environment, and movement/physicality.  Then, each game or activity we work on that week will be geared towards the student selected theme, culminating with scripting, rehearsing and performing their original works.

Family invited performances – Friday, August 10th at 1pm.

THIS CAMP TAKES PLACE AT THE RIVENDELL THEATRE LOCATED AT 5779 N. RIDGE IN EDGEWATER

Free Storytime
Tuesdays 10-10:30am
Spend quality time with your child while being entertained by a great book!  Here at Li'l Buds Studio Space 1210 W. Bryn Mawr Chicago, IL 60660  Who's reading & teaching? -  Jeff Predmore and Maggie Portman.
 
Saturday Classes
NO CLASSES February 4th
A great time for children to have a blast expressing themselves creatively, using their imagination, and learning to work with others. Sign up now to spend your Saturday with us!
 
Creative Dramatics 11:00am - 12:00pm
(3-6 years old)
A basic introduction to the dramatic arts, concentrating on imagination and collaborative work. We will be using children's literature as a basis for dramatic creations.
Fee: $10/class
 
Theatre Games 12:30pm - 2:00pm
(7-12 years old)
Through acting games and exercises, students will hone basic acting and theatre skills such as vocal production and character creation, and will master the art of creative collaboration.
Fee: $15/class

Slots are FILLING UP FAST for our various Theatre Summer Camp Sessions. Make sure you register soon to guarantee a spot for your child in our fun-filled programming!

We offer a variety of programming for children of all ages and experience levels! 

Summer Ensemble AUDITIONS!
Saturday, April 21st 2pm- 4pm here at our Studio - 1210 W Bryn Mawr
For ROBIN GOODFELLOW and GREASE

Returning campers and older students are encouraged to audition for our elite Summer Ensemble.  We will be doing 2 different sessions this year, a play and a musical.  Students need to prepare a short memorized monologue for the PLAY session, and both a monologue and a song (to be sung acapella) for the MUSICAL session.  We also take students who are interested on working on CREW - set, costumes, props etc.  For that, we will just have a short interview with them.  Email us today to sign up for an audition/interview slot.

CLICK HERE for information and how to register!

Facets Film Camp #Cool Camps for Chi IL Kids

Facets Kids Film Camp Teaches About Movies
from Behind the Scenes

Facets Kids Film Camp, presented by Facets Children’s Programs, is a summer program that introduces kids ages 7-14 to the techniques, language, and process of filmmaking. Professional filmmakers and respected critics provide expert instruction in what it takes to understand, create, and review a film. For over 10 years, Facets Kids Film Camp has given children who love movies a chance to understand filmmaking from behind the scenes. Instruction covers topics such as camera angles, lighting, sound recording, acting, and screenwriting, while providing dozens of hands-on activities, including writing reviews and making a movie.
 
Friends and family are invited to a special graduation ceremony featuring the world premiere of the participants’ completed movies at the end of the program.

Facets Kids Film Camp is broken into three summer sessions. Session 1 includes two weeks of half-day sessions from June 18-29, with kids ages 11-14 meeting in the morning and kids ages 7-10 meeting in the afternoon. Session 2 is a week of full-day sessions for ages 11-14 from July 9-13. Session 3 is a week of full-day sessions for ages 7-10 from July 16-20. Lunch is included for both full-day sessions.

Graduates of Facets Kids Film Camp are eligible for participation in other prestigious film programs at Facets, including the Children’s Jury for the Chicago International Children’s Film Festival – where jurors view, critique, and award prizes for the 2012 Festival – and the Facets Film Ambassador program, which sends kids as delegates to international film festivals in Italy, Korea, India, and Canada.

Facets Kids Film Camp will be held at Facets Multi-Media, 1517 West Fullerton Avenue, Chicago, IL 60614. Registration fee ranges from $350 to $450 based on session. To register, call 773-281-9075 ext. 3011, or email kidsfest@facets.org

Founded in 1975, Facets Multi-Media is a Chicago-based non-profit media arts organization dedicated to making film accessible to all through cinema education, distribution, presentation, and preservation, with an emphasis on the best in classic, world, and independent cinema. Facets Children’s Programs presents the annual Chicago International Children’s Film Festival, which is the largest festival of children’s films in North America, along with various year-round film programs.

For further information call 773-281-9075 or visit www.facets.org/kids
 

Facets Multi-Media | 1517 W. Fullerton Ave. | Chicago, IL 60614 | Facets Multi-Media, founded in 1975, is a non-profit, 501(C)3 organization, and a leading national media arts organization.

CircEsteem's Summer Camp Early Bird Registration Ends TODAY!

 

Reminder:  CircEsteem's Summer Camp Early Bird Registration Ends TODAY! 
 
Two ways to receive the early bird registration discount:
Drop off your registration form and payment at CircEsteem at 4730 N. Sheridan Rd., Chicago before 8 PM today.

Mail in your registration form and payment today (must be postmarked March 1st).

Payment must be made in full. After Care fees and other add-ons are not eligible for
10% discount. 

Take advantage of other Summer Camp discounts...

 Sign up for 1 week or all 7!
$260 per week-Discounts and scholarships available!
Each week concludes with a show for friends and family.  

Multi-Week Discount: Sign up for 2 or more weeks of camp and take $10 off per week.

Refer-A-Friend: Register with a friend who is new to CircEsteem and you receive a FREE CircEsteem t-shirt for each child.     

About CircEsteem Inc.

CircEsteem is a non profit youth circus with a mission of uniting youth from diverse racial, cultural and economic backgrounds and building self-esteem and mutual respect through the practice of circus arts. 


*Reminder:   New CircEsteem spring class sessions start next week!  Check out ChiIL Mama's prior coverage for details.    Highly recommended!
    
CircEsteem Inc.
at Alternatives Inc.
4730 N. Sheridan Rd.
Chicago, Illinois 60640
312 731 HAHA

Need a Fresh Tree or Wreath for a Great Cause?

 Summer Campers at Circle Pines 2011

 
Circle Pines, is bringing their evergreens to Chicago!   Last year we bought a tree from a local hardware chain and despite water, and TLC, it dropped it's needles like a shedding Akita, and was practically naked by the big day!   Want to avoid the same fate with lot tree which are sometimes cuts months in advance and even spray painted green (yuck!) when they turn brown before sale day?   Then buy a super fresh cut tree and/or wreath from Circle Pines.
 
Circle Pines is a great camp in Delton Michigan, that we've been happily promoting for a year, and sent our son to for 2 weeks of summer camp.   They promote social justice and have a great woodsy space full of dedicated counselors and creative, conscientious kids.   Check out some of our photo filled, past coverage here.   Their tree/wreath sales go toward camp scholarships for kids who couldn't otherwise afford to go.

Here's the details:

Need a fresh cut holiday tree or wreath? Proceeds support the summer camp scholarship fund. Order one today and pick it up at the Holiday Party! We will also be delivering to Hyde Park on December 10th from 1:30 - 2:30 and December 18th. Call (269)623-5555 or email info@circlepinescenter.net for questions or to place an order. We have Fraser Fir, Douglas Fir and Blue Spruce trees (5-8 feet, $8/foot). The wreaths are made of Fraser Fir and you can get one plain ($20) or beautifully decorated ($40) with your choice of red or gold bow.

If you're picking up a tree or considering Circle Pines as your summer camp home away from home, you're welcome to come to the holiday party.   It's a camper family reunion, but also open to friends.   So come on down. 

Chicago Area Holiday Party: Saturday, Dec 10, 5-10pm
at the UE Hall, 37 S Ashland in Chicago


Save the dates (Circle Pines happenings)
 
New Year's Getaway: Dec 29 - Jan 2
Cabin Fever Getaway: Jan 27 - 29
Goat Milk Soap & Cheese Making: Feb 10 - 12
Maple Syrup Weekend #1: Mar 9 - 11
Maple Syrup Weekend #2: Mar 16 - 18

2012 Buttermilk Jamboree: June 8 - 10

2012 Summer Camp:
Session 1: July 1 - July 14 (2 weeks)
Session 2: July 15 - 21 (1 week)
Session 3: July 22 - August 4 (2 weeks)

Circle Pines Center
8650 Mullen Road
Delton,  Michigan  49046

(269) 623-5555
(269) 623-9054  (fax)

www.circlepinescenter.org