Fill your child’s February break with creativity, growth, play and the opportunity to explore the endless possibilities of their imaginations with Portland Ovations Offstage and Portland Recreation’s first Theater Camp. Through the five-day camp, led by esteemed Chicago theater company Compass Creative Dramatics, children grades 3 – 7 will enjoy games, activities and rehearsals designed to highlight their inner performer. The week will culminate with a performance of “Jumping Jacks and the Beanstalk” an imaginative retelling of life beyond the traditional tale of “Jack and the Beanstalk”.
“What could be better and more fun for kids during cold February vacation in Maine than theater camp?! Participating students will get to stretch their creativity muscles in this exciting first partnership between Ovations and Portland Parks and Recreation, bringing the arts and recreational activities together under one roof.”
- Linda Nelson, Portland Ovations Deputy Director
“Portland Recreation is very excited to partner with Portland Ovations for the first time ever and welcome Compass Creative to offer an exciting and new Theater Camp for the Greater Portland Community! From behind the scenes to the front of the stage, this camp will be the total theater experience.”
– Peter Gerard, Division Leader for Portland Recreation
Portland Ovations and the Portland Rec department understand the importance of providing children access to creative and performing arts throughout their lives.
Research from UCLA’s Graduate School of Education has shown that students exposed to the arts are more likely to be involved in community service, and less likely to drop out of school. With reductions in school arts budgets, now more than ever, creative opportunities outside of school hours are essential, which is why the two organizations have teamed up to produce their first theater camp together.
“I was fortunate to have access to performing arts as a young child, in and outside of school. The experiences taught me self-esteem, self-expression, teamwork and just how important the motto ‘the show must go on’ is in everyday life. I think every child should have access to these opportunities and am happy to know that Portland Ovations and the city are working together to make that possible.”
– Liz Pettengill, Portland’s Best Dance Performer (Portland Phoenix 2013, 2016)
The camp will run February 18 – 22, 2019, from 8:30am – 3:30pm, at Portland’s East End Community School with a final performance for campers’ family and friends on Friday, February 22nd at 6pm. Cost is $175, which includes the full week of camp with Compass Creative Dramatics and two tickets to the Friday performance. For more details and to register your child for to be a part of this exciting, inaugural creative opportunity, please visit http://bit.ly/portlandtheatercamp.
