Kids on Stage: a Theater Camp for LA Kids

3/7/14 - By Roberta B

If you're a Westside mom of a kid bitten by the acting bug, the name Kids on Stage is probably already familiar to you. Kids on Stage has been introducing young performers, from toddler to teen, to the joys of the performing arts since 1987. The company offers theater camps and acting classes, staging productions at local Westside performance spaces, including Santa Monica's Morgan Wixson Theater. But what makes this company stand out among LA's many and varied children's theater companies?

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One of the strengths of Kids On Stage is that the group is welcoming and supportive of kids at every level of acting ability; this is no star-focused, purse-draining Hollywood machine. Camps and classes at Kids on Stage encourage kids to spread their wings, try out different parts, and get their feet on a professional stage for the sheer joy of working on a show with friends. The group's motto is "Everyone has a voice," and programs taught by professional actors and theater educators are designed to help each child find his or hers.

Unlike many kids' acting classes and camps in Tinsel Town, Kids on Stage aims to be part of our children's overall education, introducing them to the arts, involving them in a creative process, even infusing productions with social conscience, and fostering a non-competitive atmosphere in which kids can build life skills that last beyond the performance they create at summer camp.

After school and weekend classes are available year-round, but when school lets out is when kids really get the chance to go in depth.

Spring break camp 2014 is offered in four separate one-week sessions between March 24-April 18, to accommodate pretty much every school calendar, public or private. Kids are separated into groups by age and can attend by the week ($385) or by the day (price upon request).

Come summer camp, the options really open up. Musicals being considered for the summer productions are Shrek, OklahomaAlice in Wonderland, Pirates of Penzance, and Fiddler on the Roof. Campers are encouraged to send in their votes for the musical of their choice by June 1. Younger kids can vote for either Charlotte's Web or Finding Nemo. In addition to these musical theater options, Kids on Stage also offers comedy camp, creative dramatics, and summer classes that meet only on Saturdays. Early Bird discounts are available for all camps when booking by March 30.

Whatever camp or class they select, young actors get to work with theater professionals to find their own voice through acting, singing, dancing, and collaborating on projects. Whether your child is a bit shy and trying acting for the first time, or an accomplished thespian looking for more chances to shine, Kids on Stage is a place for them to have some fun and take some time in the spotlight.

This post is sponsored by Kids on Stage.

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