The Naples Players (TNP) is pleased to announce the expansion of their KidzAct summer camp sessions. After a 300% increase in students since 2018, the arts education organization is now offering morning and all-new afternoon classes, providing a new opportunity for young people in the community to learn their craft, test their skills, and experience more exposure to theatre.

CEO/Artistic Director Bryce Alexander says, “We have been evaluating our program and the best ways to serve our parents and students. The addition of afternoon classes will allow for a full day of activities, fun, and safety for everyone.”

This expansion goes hand-in-hand with the $20 million renovation currently underway at their 5th Ave S location. When their 5th Ave S venue reopens in April 2024, a new educational theater, the Glass Theater, will house all future youth productions and classes. The theater is seeking to put its community first by offering new performance and class opportunities to support its youth.

Alexander comments, “In the last 5 years, our summer program has gone from about 300 students to over 1,000 so we are constantly shifting and evaluating so we can continue to provide fun, individualized, and high-quality arts education to each of our families.”

For 4 to 6-year-olds, one-week sessions will run June 5 – 9, June 19 – 23, July 10 – 14, and July 24 – 28 from 9 am – 12 pm. Their week-long camps for potty-trained and Kindergarten-aged students allow their youngest group of aspiring performers to learn the basics of acting and singing for the stage all summer long. Originally $250 a session, students who join TNP for the whole summer will receive a discount of $25 per session.

Grades 1 and 2 have one-week sessions June 5 – 9, June 19 – 23, July 10 – 14, and July 24 – 28 from 9 am – 12 pm and/or 1 pm – 4 pm. Using the music and themes from popular storybook and Disney classics, this imaginative class uses fundamental theatre terminology to teach students about creating an ensemble, working together to tell a story, and developing self-awareness as a budding performer. Individual sessions can be purchased for $300 each, or save $50 per class by joining TNP all summer long.

For grades 3 – 5, two-week sessions will run June 5 – 17, June 19 – 30, July 10 – 21, and July 24 – August 4 from 9 am – 12 pm and/or 1 pm – 4 pm. In these classes, students will expand their knowledge of the fundamentals of theatre by adding scene work, choreography, and vocal technique into the training using music from popular TV-made and fairytale-based musicals. This class introduces actors to working with a director, basic technical elements, and other aspects of theatre that will have them ready to take center stage. Originally $400 a session, students who join TNP for the whole summer will receive a discount of $50 per session.

Grades 6-8 have two-week sessions June 5 – 17, June 19 – 30, July 10 – 21, and July 24 – August 4 from 9 am – 12 pm and/or 1 pm – 4 pm. Students in this camp will work at an increased level of intensity, learning devised choreography and scripts using popular music from Broadway favorite Hairspray to develop vocal training. These 2-week camps will introduce students to what it takes to achieve your dream role and artistically put on a showcase from start to finish. Individual sessions can be purchased for $450 each, or save $75 per class by joining TNP all summer long.

All skill levels are welcome to participate in any of The Naples Players’ KidzAct summer camps. Thanks to The Brooks and Joan Fortune Family Foundation, The Naples Players offers needs-based scholarships; contact Maya Kleinsorge for more information (239-434-7340 ext. 136, or [email protected]). Go to NaplesPlayers.org to secure your spot today!