Summer Theatre Arts Camp

The annual arts program ran June 14 to 25, 2010. Camp wrapped-up with a demonstration for family and friends on Friday, June 25.

Campers worked on creative dramatics, learning performer based improvisation and communications skills. Exercises were designed to help campers learn to move on stage while concentrating and making it look effortless. Finally, campers gather valuable voice and music tips, learn stage diction, and study breathing techniques along with phrasing and proper voice projection.

Jim and Susie Miller lead the faculty of exciting local talent and accomplished veterans. Jim Miller retired 8 years ago as Choral Director at Lincoln High School. Both have taught music to students from kindergarten through senior adults. They are currently teaching piano and voice in their home. In addition, Susie directs the Capitol Civic Centre Children’s Choir and Jim most-recently directed the Capitol Civic Centre Off-Broadway production of “The Wisconsin Story, the Musical”.

Erin Nycz lead the acting and creative dramatics exercises. She is a 2006 graduate of the University of Wisconsin, Madison, where she majored in English and theatre with a specialization in acting. Since graduating, she has been working with talent and modeling agencies around the state, appearing in magazines and commercials. Nycz's program covered the basics of many aspects of theatre, while striving to build students' imaginations by giving them the tools they need to understand how to build a character.

Crystal Curkeet was the dance instructor for the Summer Theatre Arts Camp. She has more than 15 years of dance experience, specializing in tap, jazz, and ballet. Curkeet has provided classroom assistance to Jean Wolfmeyer’s School of Dance and the school’s annual recital. She danced in the Masquer’s Off-Broadway production of The King and I and Lakeshore Big Band Concert. Students were introduced to the basics with a focus on jazz. Curkeet spiced-it-up a bit with hip-hop and contemporary dance.