2024 Summer Acting Workshops
What will they think of next? Enroll now and find out!
Creative Fun! Our 5-day workshops provide hands-on experience in a real theater. Under the guidance of theater professionals, each group creates, writes, produces, and performs their show on the last day.
Workshop Details
Summer Workshops held at the Ryan Arts Center | 420 Chartiers Avenue | McKees Rocks
Tuition Assistance Program always open for enrollment!
Sto-Rox Community Discount always available from our friends at Focus On Renewal!
Snacks are provided during the day, but students should provide their own lunch. We ask that any foods containing nut products stay at home due to allergies among our students. We do our best to provide simple, allergy-safe snacks and drinks. If your child has specific dietary needs, we recommend providing a snack from home.
We are very proud to provide an inclusive camp experience, and we do keep a small variety of sensory fidgets and activities on hand to use as needed. We welcome a student to also bring an item or two from home that they find makes focusing more comfortable – especially if our camp is a new environment. We do request no electronic like phones or IPads during the camp week to ensure an easier transition back into the group after a break is needed.
We welcome any questions regarding your child or teen as to which camp group may be better for them, if the grade level they are in does not always define their creative and/or social interests. We are happy to help you find the best workshop for them to be creative, be comfortable, and to have fun.
Questions? Call 412.243.6464 to talk to our staff or email education@geminitheater.org
Acting Workshops Available
“SOLD OUT” CAMP WEEKS
Star Spotlight Workshop (Grades 1st – 4th) July 8 – 12, 2024 / August 12 – 16, 2024
Rising Stars Workshop (Grades 5th – 8th) June 24 – 28, 2024 / July 29 – August 2, 2024
Magic Curtain Workshop
Starting Pre-K or Kindergarten in Fall (Ages 4 - 5)
Looking for the perfect way to channel your little one’s creative energy? In this action-packed program, our youngest actors rehearse and perform a play that they help to create from their own imaginations! This highly structured workshop, geared for young attention spans, includes a variety of exciting, fun-filled activities: costume, scenery and prop-making, theater games, music, and movement. While having a great time, your child will learn to listen, follow directions, remember, focus, accomplish objectives, take turns, work with others in a group situation, compromise, perform in front of an audience, and use the imagination.
This workshop is a HALF-DAY Workshop, Monday – Friday 9:00am – 12:00pm
Final Performance: Friday at 12:00pm
Looking for a FULL-DAY option? Add “Playdate On Stage” Aftercare – See option below
Camp Availability
- June 10 - 14 | Monday - Friday | 9am - 12pm
- July 15 - 19 | Monday - Friday | 9am - 12pm
- August 5 - 9 | Monday - Friday | 9am - 12pm
Pricing
- $275 | Regular Price
- $275 | Regular Price
- $250 | Early Bird Discount (Ends May 31st)
- $225 | Holiday Discount (Ends December 31st)
This workshop is currently sold out!
Star Spotlight Workshop
Starting 1st - 4th Grade in Fall
Does your son or daughter like to pretend? This moderately structured program will unlock your child’s creativity and take him/her on a week-long adventure into the imagination! Young actors choose their own characters and put them all together into an original story, which they rehearse and perform on the last day of the workshop. While having fun and making new friends, your child will help compose a story, understand conflict & resolution, develop a character, collaborate with peers, and perform in front of an audience!
This workshop is an ALL-DAY Workshop, Monday – Friday 9:00am – 4:00pm
Final Performance: Friday at 3:30pm
Camp Availability
- SOLD OUT | June 17 - 21 | Monday - Friday | 9am - 4pm
- SOLD OUT | July 8 - 12 | Monday - Friday | 9am - 4pm
- SOLD OUT | August 12 - 16 | Monday - Friday | 9am - 4pm
Pricing
- $500 | Regular Price
- $500 | Regular Price
- $450 | Early Bird Discount (Ends May 31st)
- $400 | Holiday Discount (Ends December 31st)
This workshop is currently sold out!
Rising Stars Workshop
Starting 5th – 8th Grade in Fall
This exciting program allows students an opportunity to have more hands-on writing of their scripts and small-group scene work to edit and enhance their writing. They will also gain an understanding of the collaborative nature of a theater production. Moderately structured, this workshop allows the aspiring writer/actor/director creative freedom to develop an original production emphasizing script writing, character development, advanced theater games and improvisation under the supervision of our teaching artists.
This workshop is an ALL-DAY Workshop, Monday – Friday 9:00am – 4:00pm
Final Performance: Friday at 3:30pm
Camp Availability
- SOLD OUT | June 24 - 28 | Monday - Friday | 9am - 4pm
- SOLD OUT | July 29 - August 2 | Monday - Friday | 9am - 4pm
Pricing
- $500 | Regular Price
- $500 | Regular Price
- $450 | Early Bird Discount (Ends May 31st)
- $400 | Holiday Discount (Ends December 31st)
"Exodus" Workshop
Starting 8th – 12th Grade in Fall
“Exodus” is the final “act” in most Greek Drama. This workshop is truly the “final act” of where students grow through our theater program. Your teen will not just help write a show, but they will learn the art of creating a full one-act production as a collaborative team. During this special two-week workshop, students will participate in advanced creative writing activities to develop and strengthen their playwrighting skills. With the guidance of our teachers, they will spend their first week participating in various creative writing activities, researching their ideas to ensure they are understanding the topics they may want to present, as well as engaging in improvisation games and formats. Their focus will be creating a cohesive script and learning how to make realistic characters and situations, even when a plot may be absurd or abstract.
The second week of this workshop will encompass rehearsing the final script, learning how to make edits and fixes when the script does not always come to life on stage, and making difficult decisions in terms of cutting scenes, re-developing the plot, and deciding if there are characters that need to have further development. Students will work on costumes, props, and technical needs, ensuring that their performance meets the goals set during the writing process. It is also discussed that writing for an audience to understand and enjoy the play is a more important goal than simply making a show that makes sense. While we encourage all students play in active role in the show development, we are always open to allowing someone who may be more interested in being a student stage manager or technical assistant for the final show.
This is an ALL-DAY Workshop, Monday – Friday 9:00am – 4:00pm
Final performance will be held the FINAL FRIDAY at 7:00pm (Dinner provided on last day!)
Camp Availability
- July 15 - 26 | Monday - Friday | 9am - 4pm
Pricing
- $875 | Regular Price
- $875 | Regular Price
- $800 | Early Bird Discount (Ends May 31st)
- $750 | Holiday Discount (Ends December 31st)
After Care & Extended Day Services
Aftercare | “Playdate On Stage” for Ages 4 - 6
We are offering our campers in the Magic Curtain Workshop the option to stay after camp for a special “Playdate On Stage” afternoon. This option is for families that need an all-day camp for their youngest actors. Kids who sign up for this special after care program will participate in daily themed activities that center on creativity, arts, and imagination.
- This add-on program is $185 and runs 12:00 – 4:00 Monday through Thursday ONLY.
- This is only offered as an add-on to the Magic Curtain Workshop and cannot be purchased separately as child care.
- June 10-14 or August 5-9 ONLY **Not available July 15-19**
Extended Day Services | Early Drop-Off / Late Pick-Up
This service allows a parent the convenience of a staff member being at the theater to help accommodate your normal work schedule. Normal morning drop-off is 8:45 – 9:00 am and normal afternoon pick-up is 4:00 p.m. For this service we offer: Earliest drop-off time of 8:00 am and latest pick-up time of 6:00 pm.
You must register at least two (2) weeks before your camp week if you need this service to ensure staff availability. Requesting this service, a week or less before your camp start date cannot be guaranteed.
Please note: Campers in the Age 4 – 6 Workshops who attend the morning only session do not have a late pick-up option. Late pick up is for All-Day campers only. Thank you for your understanding.
FEES:
- $15/day (Morning OR Afternoon Service)
- $25/day (Morning AND Afternoon Service – All-Day Campers Only)
Payment is due when service is requested and confirmed. Please notify the Gemini Theater as soon as possible of changes to your service so staff schedule can be adjusted accordingly. **Late pick-up is no longer offered on Friday after camp shows.**
Campers are encouraged to bring books, games, or other activities they enjoy helping make their extra time with us fun. Because the theater has projection capabilities, we may show a movie once or twice during week, after the camp day is complete.
POLICIES:
- Scheduling an early drop off and failing to arrive, (without notice), will result in possible cancellation of service.
- No discounts are permitted for this service.
- The Sto-Rox Library kindly lets us take our aftercare campers into the Youth Library to look at books and use their available activities (Legos, Blocks, etc). If a camper displays behavior that results in broken or missing items or being asked to leave that area due to noise or disrespect (both to Gemini Staff and Library Staff), aftercare may be cancelled for the rest of week, depending on circumstances.
- A snack will be provided to all campers who stay late. If your child or teen wants to provide additional snacks for their late stay, that is permitted.
- Camp rules apply before and after camp. If a camper is not following rules, we will speak with parents or guardian to help reinforce the behavior. Continued problems may result in cancellation of this service for remainder of the camp week.
Scholarship and Tuition Assistance Fund
The Scholarship and Tuition Assistance Fund is made possible by generous support from
- McSwigan Family Foundation of The Pittsburgh Foundation
- Paige’s Promise
- Kenny’s Club
- Christopher Lynch Memorial Fund
We do our best to give every child an opportunity to participate in our assistance program.
Applications for Tuition Assistance for Acting Classes and Summer Workshops are processed online during the registration process. To apply, register your child for the class you are interested in attending and select “Applying for Tuition Assistance” and complete the form. Please note that incomplete applications will delay your request.
Payment Policy
Payment Plans
- “Payment Plan” tuition must be paid in full one week prior to camp start date. Payments can be made starting after registration is confirmed in any amount, at any time. This policy applies to registrations after January 1.
- “Payment Plans” chosen during initial Holiday Discounts must complete payment of tuition by JANUARY 31. If full payment is not received, the balance will increase to next tuition tier.
- All “Payment Plan” registrations must pay a non-refundable deposit on initial registration.
- If no payment is made, aside from the non-refundable deposit, and we are unable to successfully contact you, we will assume you no longer wish to be enrolled. Your camp registration will be cancelled.
- Late payments may incur a fee of up to 15% of the total remaining balance.
- You may contact us at educaton@geminitheater.org at any time to set up an extension payment date if it is needed. We are happy to help. Late fees will not apply to approved requests.
Gemini Theater reserves the right to change these policies based on individual circumstances. In the event Gemini Theater cancels a workshop week, students will be offered a new date to attend or a refund/credit for their workshop week.
Tuition Assistance Plans
- “Tuition Assistance” payments must be paid in full one week prior to camp start date. Payments can be made starting after registration is confirmed in any amount, at any time.
- All “Tuition Assistance” registrations must pay a non-refundable deposit on initial registration.
- If you are awarded tuition assistance and do not accept your award AND we are unable to successfully contact you, we assume you no longer wish to be enrolled. Your camp registration will be cancelled, and award funds will go to another family on the list.
- Late payments may incur a fee of up to 15% of the total remaining balance.
- You may contact us at educaton@geminitheater.org at any time to set up an extension payment date if it is needed. We are happy to help. Late fees will not apply to approved requests.
Gemini Theater reserves the right to change these policies based on individual circumstances. In the event Gemini Theater cancels a workshop week, students will be offered a new date to attend or a refund/credit for their workshop week.
Cancellation Policy
In the event you choose to cancel and withdraw your child from a Gemini Summer Workshop, please note:
- Cancellation before June 10: 100% refund after $50 fee
- Cancellation between June 11 and one week prior to camp start date: 75% refund after $50 fee
- Cancellation 6 days or less before camp start date: 50% refund after $50 fee
- “No-Show” or cancellation during camp week: No Refund
Gemini Theater reserves the right to change these policies based on individual circumstances. In the event Gemini Theater cancels a workshop week, students will be offered a new date to attend or a refund/credit for their workshop week. $50 fee is equal to initial deposit even if “Paid in full.”
In the event you choose to cancel and withdraw your child from a Gemini Summer Workshop, the following fees apply:
- $25 service fee up to 2 weeks prior to scheduled start date
- $50 service fee 7 – 14 days prior to scheduled start date
- $75 service fee 6 days or less prior to scheduled start date
A student withdrawn after attending one or more days of workshop will not be issued a refund. Gemini Theater reserves the right to change these policies based on individual circumstance. Gemini Theater may cancel a workshop week at any time. In the event Gemini Theater cancels a workshop week, students will be offered a new date to attend or a refund/credit for their workshop week. Special circumstances where a refund may not be issued include loss of workshop day due to severe weather conditions causing Gemini Theater to shut down and close temporarily.
COVID-19 UPDATE: We understand the health and safety of your family is important to you. We recognize that your summer plans may need to change due to the risk of exposure to your child or another family member, who have compromised immune systems or other health issues. If you need to cancel you summer workshop, we will not issue cancellation fees for sessions cancelled up to two weeks in advance. All other cancellations (13 days or less) will incur a $25 fee to help offset costs for contracted teachers and materials purchased for workshop week. We appreciate the opportunity to credit your tuition for another class or workshop session in the summer of 2021, but we will offer refunds if requested. If you would like a portion of your tuition donated to Gemini Theater, we welcome the gift and thank you for your generosity.
COVID Requirements
Gemini Theater is requiring that all guests, students, patrons, and other visitors wear a mask when attending any show, class or event. Proof of vaccination is not required AT THIS TIME, since many of our visitors are children below the recommended age to receive it. With continuing changes regarding COVID and it’s variants, we will make updates to our policy as necessary.
We understand that not every one is ready to return to see live theater. We are maintaining assigned seating with social distancing seating blocked around every group. The theater will be cleaned before and after all classes and events as well as between show times on the weekends. We ask that you stay home of any of your family members are ill and visit us when everyone is healthy. Tickets are always exchangeable due to illness in the family.
At this time, our staff, teachers, actors, and technicians are fully vaccinated, per our hiring contracts. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the Gemini Theater COVID Policy, you may email Jill Jeffrey at jjeffrey@geminitheater.org.
Stay safe. Stay healthy. Stay magical.”
Thanks!!!
Jill Jeffrey, Executive Director
Gemini Theater Company
www.geminitheater.org
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© 2021 Gemini Theater Company
Gemini Theater Company is located in the Ryan Arts & Culture Center
420 Chartiers Avenue | McKees Rocks, PA 15136 | 412-243-6464