Every year, high school students from all over come to Playhouse Square for a week to participate in the Broadway Summer Camp. This week of intensive musical theater training teaches students what it takes to work professionally in the performing arts industry, while also making connections that can last a lifetime. To better understand how Broadway Summer Camp can directly impact a student’s life, three past campers recalled their experiences and shared why the camp was so memorable for them.
Ana Hair, a camper for the last four years and a current STARS usher, discussed how her experience transcended becoming a triple threat.
“There’s something about this magnificent camp, participants, and leaders that keeps me coming back. At first, I thought it was just about improving on the triple threat. However, I have come to learn that the camp, although is based on improving, is a family. It’s loving and encouraging towards everyone, no matter their differences or level of theater experience. This year at camp has been dedicated to figuring out what I want to do after college. I’ve learned that I love seeing very kid grow and fall in love with this camp just as much as I have. I’d love to one day be coordinator for something like this, and I could see myself working at Playhouse Square.”
Another camper, Eve Jursinski, discussed her appreciation for everything the Broadway Summer Camp has to offer to attendees.
“Attending Broadway Camp at Playhouse Square is an opportunity for young performers to unleash their inner artist and tell the world their story. It is a program for high school students that offers a diverse curriculum focusing on voice, dance, and acting. It includes master classes with Broadway cast members, as well as instructors and performers from the Cleveland area. This allows students to work and learn from talented individuals, while gaining an understanding of the audition process and being in a show. The instructors genuinely care about the well-being and success of everyone attending. The business of musical theater was a new class this year, which got those serious about a musical theater career prepared for the challenges to be faced in the real world. This camp brings out the best of you as a person and a performer. All of the hard work and rehearsals culminate in a production for the showcase at the end of the week. This allows everyone to show what they have learned and to have a chance to shine.”
Marcus Mendez-Gibson shared how this week long camp helped him find his confidence in performing.
“Broadway Summer Camp is a great learning experience for anyone who is new to theater and for people that have been involved prior. It is not just basic step touch moves or cheesy jazz hands, it is real technical Broadway skills from actual actors that have performed in more shows than they could count. The camp truly teaches you every skill that it takes to become a triple threat. Confidently singing in front of people is one skill that I have taken with me from camp. My fellow campers and teachers encouraged me to sing, leading to a newfound confidence with public performing. My experience at the last two years of the Broadway Camp has been extremely useful and a great way to spend a week of my summer. I encourage everyone to sign up for the Broadway Summer Camp if and I hope I get the chance to come back next year!”
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For more information about Playhouse Square's Broadway Summer Camp, click here.