The Rose Theater Announces DRAMA AT THE ROSE and BROADWAY AT THE ROSE Summer Classes

Each year children eagerly anticipate the freedom from school the summer months offer. Parents, on the other hand, are looking for fun activities that keep their kids engaged. For a creative outlet, both parents and kids agree that The Rose Theater's summer classes and camps are a terrific way to spend the summer.

"Classes, camps and production experiences are the perfect antidote to parents' worries about the lesson of the school year atrophying over the summer," said Matt Gutschick, Artistic Director of The Rose Theater. "In fact, more and more data tells us that theater is an incredible way to increase a child's ability to use his or her imagination and develop the social skills needed to succeed in life."

The Rose's two education programs, DRAMA AT THE ROSE and BROADWAY AT THE ROSE, offer summer classes for all skill levels and interests. The DRAMA program helps promote creativity and provides a supportive environment for young performers to explore acting, directing, improvisation, playwriting, directing, stagecraft, filmmaking and puppetry. Weeklong drama adventures explore and create performances based on Curious George, Wreck-It Ralph, Animal Tales from Around the World and Pinkalicious with classes geared toward children ages 4 to 8. Children ages 8 to 14 will find The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, So Random: Improv Fun, and iCarly.com: Create Your Own Webisodes among their options. Morning and afternoon drama clubs are also available for children ages 6 to 15. Classes are offered at The Rose Theater, Rose West Studio and Skutt Catholic High School.

BROADWAY AT THE ROSE gives young singers and dancers a chance to polish their skills and shine. This program specializes in musical theater and offers voice camps for ages 8 to 18, musical theater camp and dance camps featuring ballet, jazz and tap. Intermediate and advanced dancers can take part in week-long intensive workshops with Lisa Carter. After receiving her Royal Academy of Dance Teaching Certificate from the University of Cape Town, Carter has taught master classes in the United States, Hong Kong, South Africa, Europe and New Zealand. She is the founder of Kinder Danz which encourages creative dance for children ages 18 months to 6 years.

The 19th annual Josh Brockington Overnight Theater Camp allows young performers to combine their love of theater with the great outdoors. Children entering grades 4 through 7 are invited to be part of the overnight camp from July 15 - 19. Those entering 8 through 12 attend July 29 - August 2. Held at Platte River State Park, the four nights and five days are filled with not just theater games and acting workshops, but swimming and nature hikes. Located between Omaha and Lincoln, campers stay in cabins in the state park. Family and friends are invited to attend a BBQ on Thursday night that concludes with a sharing of the games and skits created over the week.

To provide a creative outlet for children with Sensory Processing or Autism Spectrum Disorder, The Rose offers a special Create Your Own Musical class for ages 8 to 13 from August 5 - 9. The class is offered in partnership with the Autism Society of Nebraska. Rose educators will help the students work on acting and improvisation skills for a special performance for parents and friends. A special application form for this class is available by contacting Deprecia at (402) 502-4617 or at depreciaw@rosetheater.org.