Summer fun and learning for teens

If you live in North Central Florida, then you already know about our much beloved Hippodrome State Theatre in Gainesville and have probably been wowed by some top-notch talent. But did you know kids can get in on the action, too? The Hipp offers summer courses for seven- to seventeen-year-olds as well as a community-building program especially for teens:

Summer Spectacular
(ages 7 through 12)
and Class Act
(ages 13 through 17)
These four-week theatre arts camps explore the professional theatre process. Students learn acting and set, props, lighting, and costume design and creation! The camp's finale is a full scale production on the Hippodrome stage.
Dates & Times:
Session I - June 15-July 10, 2009; 9am-5pm
Session II - July 13-August 7, 2009; 9am-5pm
Total cost: $650 per session

By popular demand the Hippodrome is proud to announce that this summer they will be offering a camp for 5- and 6-year-old kids. There will be two sessions offered: June 15-26 and July 13-24. Each session will be a half-day camp running from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. The campers will take part in several classes and workshops a day that will culminate at the end of camp in a showcase for parents to come see.
Cost: $250

For more information please call Kara, Marcia, or Matt at 352-373-5968 or edudept2@thehipp.org.

Hippodrome Improvisational Teen Theatre (HITT) is

an award-winning Community Model Program that has helped over 52,000 young people build the skills they need to protect them from addiction, violence and mental health issues. HITT is a prevention and intervention program targeting 100% at-risk youth from diverse backgrounds and ethnic populations, primarily economically disadvantaged, underserved and minority youth. This unique arts-based, best-practice program combines theatre techniques, improvisational scene work, role playing, large and small group interactions, educational games, and communication exercises to examine issues critical to young people, such as alcohol and substance use, bullying, delinquency, teen pregnancy, self-esteem, and HIV/AIDS.

HITT is also a service learning program. Participants design peer education performances/workshops and take them “on tour” to schools and neighboring communities after completing seven weeks of theatre and prevention training. During each tour, participants assume the role of actor, playwright, director, tour manager, and most importantly, “teacher” as they share their knowledge to their peers and other members of their community. Exceptional participants are asked to present their performances and workshops at conferences regionally, statewide, and nationally. By assuming leadership roles, students build self-esteem, team building skills and strengthen their ability to make positive life choices. The program's overall goal is to provide participants with a sense that they can succeed and to furnish them with the skills and knowledge necessary to resist high-risk behaviors.

For more information about HITT programs, including bringing a peer education tour to your school, contact Tiffany Dunn at education@thehipp.org.

And for information on making performance a part of your school's literacy curriculum, check out one of Maupin House's newest titles, Performance Literacy through Storytelling by Nile Stanley and Brett Dillingham.