Broadway and Film Artists Lined Up for Camp at Emory and Henry
DRAMA CLUB CAMP 2010
For immediate release
Mark Salyer, 323.868.1352
“The arts can transform a young person’s life,” says Mark Salyer, one of the founders of ARTreach, the LA based production company presenting DRAMA CLUB CAMP 2010, a week long performing arts camp at Emory and
July 11 – 16, students ages 10 – 18 will work with professional teaching artists, including Broadway actress/director/choreographer Kay Cole (original Maggie in A Chorus Line) Tony Abatemarco (director of B’way’s Lucifer’s Child with Julie Harris) Henson puppeteer Allan Trautman, original member of LA’s Groundlings improv troupe, Patrick Bristow (Ellen Show, Suite Life of Zach and Cody, Austin Powers) and more.
“It’s about connecting professional artists with young people,” says Salyer. “These folks who make their living in the theatre and film have jumped at the chance to share their work with young people. It’s very exciting!“
Last summer a group of six LA based artists traveled to Wise, Virginia to work with over 40 students at Appalachian Children’s Theatre. The program was sponsored in part by the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts and featured classes in Shakespeare, Musical Theatre, Voice, Dance and Stage Combat.
“Last year taught us a lot,” says Melissa Wharton, Salyer’s co-founder of ARTreach. “We learned that there are wonderful artists who want to share their experience and that there are very eager kids around this country who want to expand their talents, working with pros.”
The DRAMA CLUB CAMP is part of a program geared specifically to young people in the arts.
“There is such an interest in the arts from young people right now. It would be an amazing time to be expanding art in schools. Yet, most districts are facing cuts. We are concerned that a whole generation will grow up without having the arts in their lives,” says Salyer.
DRAMA CLUB programs will include an interactive blog, residential camps, theatre trips, large theatre conventions, as well as productions.
“The camp this summer is really a great place to launch the DRAMA CLUB component of ARTreach,” says Wharton. “By next summer, we will have several camps in different spots across the country and be up and running with our theatre competitions for young artists.”
The cost of the camp is $1100.00 and includes class fees, activity fees, food and lodging. A number of full and partial scholarships are being made available through several local non-profits and businesses in Southwest Virginia and
For more information about the camp at Emory and Henry, visit the DRAMA CLUB blog, www.dramaclub.biz or call 323.868.1352 to request an application.
