Noozhawk’s ParentNooz Camp Guide is officially here and designed to simplify your summer planning for your child!
To empower parents with the necessary resources to make informed decisions regarding summer camps in Santa Barbara, we’ve engaged in insightful interviews with representatives from various local programs for this year’s comprehensive Summer Camp Guide.
In this interview, Noozhawk spoke with Brian McDonald, Artistic Associate and Director of Education at Ensemble Theatre Company to learn more about the summer programs they are offering this year.
Question: What is the name of your camp or program, and what is its primary focus?
Answer: The Young Actors Conservatory by Santa Barbara’s sole professional theatre (ETC) Ensemble Theatre Company provides a summer theater education platform tailored for individuals aged 5-22, aiming to immerse them in a professional theatrical setting under the guidance of seasoned theatre instructors.
Within this supportive ambiance, participants engage with a diverse curriculum tailored to their age group, emphasizing theater performance and technique. Each program is meticulously crafted to cater to students’ requirements, fostering creativity, self-assurance, social growth, teamwork, critical thinking, and empathy through age-appropriate and stimulating lessons.
Q: How long have you been running the program? Do you have any professional accreditations or certifications?
A: The Young Actors Conservatory program at ETC has been steadily growing since its inception in 2018. Our program director, Brian McDonald, is not only a seasoned professional in the industry but also a dedicated advocate for arts education and community involvement. With over 30 youth productions under his belt and a strong professional background, Brian’s career highlights include national tours of iconic shows like Miss Saigon and Forever Plaid.
Brian’s impressive career has taken him to acclaimed venues such as The Ahmanson Theatre, Pasadena Playhouse, Rubicon Theatre Company, Denver Center for the Performing Arts, Theatre Virginia, The Lyric Stage, and more. His commitment to arts education and community engagement has been recognized with prestigious accolades, including the Ventura Mayors’ Award for Emerging Artist and the esteemed LA Weekly’s Best Supporting Actor Award.
Brian’s recent portrayal in the one-man show, Buyer and Cellar, earned him an Independent Award, showcasing his talent and versatility on stage. Beyond his theatrical achievements, Brian has been honored with a Phi Delta Kappa Community Partnership Award and an Honorary Service Award from the California State PTA in consecutive years for his exceptional work in raising funds for arts education within the community.
As a graduate of the Boston Conservatory and a proud member of respected organizations like Actors Equity Association, The Screen Actors Guild, and The Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers, Brian McDonald continues to leave a lasting impact through his dedication to the arts, education, and the enrichment of the community.
Q: What specific goals or objectives will participants be working towards during their time at the camp?
A: Here is a breakdown of the objectives for each of our Young Actors Conservatory performance programs:
THEATRE CAMP for Ages 5-8 specific goals and objectives include:
Introduction to Theater: Introducing children to the magic of storytelling and performance, allowing them to explore their creativity and self-expression in a supportive environment.
Imaginative Play: Engaging in imaginative play and creative exploration activities that ignite the imagination and foster a love for the performing arts.
Social and Emotional Growth: Encouraging social-emotional growth through teamwork, collaboration, and interaction with peers, helping young performers develop important social skills.
Performance Skills: Learning the basics of acting, singing, and dancing, giving children a taste of various aspects of theatrical performance and helping them develop their skills.
Showcase Opportunity: Culminating the week with a special presentation where children can showcase their new skills to family and friends, boosting their confidence and creating lasting memories on stage.
Overall, THEATRE CAMP aims to provide young children with a fun and interactive theatrical experience that sparks their creativity, encourages collaboration, and lays the foundation for a love of the stage.
CAMP BROADWAY for ages 9-13 key goals and objectives include:
Artistic Growth: Engaging in a diverse curriculum tailored to their age group focusing on theater performance and technique, allowing participants to expand their skills and boost their artistic expression.
Personal Development: Fostering creativity, self-assurance, and self-confidence through age-appropriate and stimulating lessons, encouraging growth and development in a nurturing space.
Social Skills: Promoting social growth through ensemble activities, character work, and improvisation, teaching students how to work cooperatively in a group setting and build relationships.
Critical Thinking and Empathy: Encouraging critical thinking skills through elements of story, scene structure and analysis, character development, and relationship communication, fostering empathy and understanding.
Professional Setting Experience: Providing an experience of learning in a professional setting under the guidance of seasoned theater professionals, students will learn professional theater etiquette and time management skills.
Performance Preparation: Balancing performance and technique, the camp prepares students for a final public performance at The New Vic in Santa Barbara, allowing them to showcase their talents to family and friends.
Overall, CAMP BROADWAY aims to offer a challenging yet playful acting and musical theatre program that caters to students with varying levels of experience and helps them grow as performers and individuals.
THE ACTING INTENSIVE for ages 14-22 goals and objectives include:
Quality Training: Providing aspiring actors with a comprehensive training experience similar to what is typically found at the collegiate level, ensuring a deep dive into acting principles and performance techniques.
Physical and Vocal Expression: Beginning each day with a focus on physical and vocal expression, students will enhance their skills in these areas, setting the stage for creative exploration and development.
Scene Work and Monologues: Immerse students in selected scenes and monologues, guiding them through acting principles, scene analysis, character development, and performance techniques to enhance their dramatic abilities.
Performance Showcase: Culminating in a showcase where students present their hard work and growth to an audience of family and friends, giving them the opportunity to demonstrate their progress and skills.
Career Development: Designed for students with a true passion for advancing their acting abilities and aspiring to pursue a career in theater, the intensive provides a platform for serious performers to elevate their skills and deepen their craft.
Overall, The Acting Intensive program focuses on providing a rigorous and immersive experience for students who are dedicated to advancing their acting skills and who aim to pursue a career in the world of theater.
THE MUSICAL THEATRE INTENSIVE for ages 14-22 goals and objectives include:
Vocal Techniques and Performance Skills: Engage in an in-depth exploration of vocal techniques and performance skills, helping students enhance their singing abilities and stage presence.
Artistic Growth and Creativity: Lay the groundwork for artistic growth and creativity through daily sessions that focus on developing musical theatre skills and expanding artistic expression.
Character Depth and Stage Presence: Delve into chosen songs to emphasize vocal mastery, character depth, and stage charisma, guiding students to portray characters effectively and engage the audience.
Showcase and Progress: Culminate the program with a grand showcase where students can demonstrate their progress and dedication to an audience of supporters, providing a platform to showcase their talents.
Career Development: Tailored for individuals passionate about honing their musical theatre talents and pursuing a career in the theatrical world, the intensive program serves as a launchpad for committed performers to enhance their skills and refine their artistry.
Overall, THE MUSICAL THEATRE INTENSIVE program is designed to provide aspiring musical theatre actors with a collegiate-level training experience, focusing on vocal techniques, performance skills, character development, and stage presence to help them grow as performers and prepare for a future in musical theatre.
Q: Can you describe the educational components integrated into your program?
A: The educational components integrated into the programs at The Young Actors Conservatory are designed to provide participants with a rich and immersive learning experience tailored to their age group and interests. Here’s how the educational components align with the program offerings:
Comprehensive Arts Education: Students receive a comprehensive arts education that balances performance and technique, catering to their individual requirements. This includes exposure to acting, singing, and dancing, with the opportunity to specialize in either musical theatre or dramatic performance.
Professional Theater Skills: Participants learn essential professional theater skills such as theater etiquette, time management, communication, and teamwork. This equips them with the tools needed to excel in a professional setting and produce quality work efficiently.
Artistic Study: Through exploration of story elements, scene structure and analysis, character development, gesture and movement, and relationship communication, students deepen their understanding of theatrical performance and storytelling, enhancing their artistic expression.
Individual Attention and Ensemble Activities: The programs offer a balance of individual attention and ensemble activities. Students engage in character work, improvisation, and collaborative exercises, fostering growth, creativity, self-confidence, and teamwork.
Performance Opportunities: Culminating in showcases where participants can present their hard work to an audience, the programs provide a platform for students to apply their skills and showcase their progress, boosting their confidence and enabling them to share their talents with others.
Overall, the educational components of these programs are designed to immerse participants in a professional theatrical setting, nurture their creativity and self-assurance, develop their social and critical thinking skills, and provide a platform for artistic growth and self-expression in a supportive and stimulating environment.
Q: What is the daily schedule like, including activities, meals, and rest periods?
A: Our programs run Monday through Friday from 10am – 3pm with final presentations on the final Saturday. The morning involves engaging students in playful warm-up exercises and improv games. Midday, there is a 30-minute lunch period. Afternoons, students focus on various exercises, scripts, or songs that we will be featured in their final showcase.
Through out the day, students are given 5-minute breaks every hour or 10-minute breaks every 90 minutes. Each program begins on the beautiful Riviera Ridge School campus and ends with 2-3 days on stage at The New Vic theatre.
Q: What is the typical age range of campers who attend your programs?
A: Our Young Actors Conservatory is comprised of 4 programs for ages 5-22. Theatre Camp for ages 5-8, Camp Broadway for ages 9-13 and The Acting Intensive and Musical Theatre Intensive for ages 14-22.
Q: Do you offer full day and 1/2 day options?
A: We do not offer 1/2 Day options. However, students in the 14-22 age group may choose to do one or both The Acting Intensive and The Musical Theatre Intensive. These programs run consecutively and those interested in participating in both intensives will save $100 off their combined tuition.
Q: What are your policies regarding staff background checks, training, and the child-to-staff ratio? How do you ensure the safety and well-being of campers?
A: Ensuring the safety and well-being of campers is our top priority at our theatre camps for kids aged 5-22. Here are our policies regarding staff background checks, training, and child-to-staff ratio:
Staff Background Checks: All staff members, including professional theatre teachers and supportive staff comprising aspiring college/high school students, undergo thorough background checks to ensure the safety of our campers.
Training: Our staff receives comprehensive training on child safety, emergency procedures, conflict resolution, and appropriate behavior management techniques. Professional theatre teachers also undergo additional training in their respective fields to provide high-quality instruction.
Child-to-Staff Ratio: We maintain appropriate child-to-staff ratios to ensure that each camper receives individual attention and supervision. Our ratios are set according to age groups to meet safety standards and provide a supportive environment for all campers.
By implementing these policies and practices, we strive to create a secure and nurturing environment where campers can learn, grow, and explore their passion for theatre in a safe and supportive setting.
Q: What is the cost of attending your camp, and do you offer any financial assistance or scholarships?
A: The tuition cost of the camps and intensive ranges from $400-$800 and we do offer financial assistance in the form of scholarships for families in need.
Q: Is there anything you would like to share about your program that was not already mentioned above?
A: A Note from ETC Artistic Associate and Director of Education, Brian McDonald
I love teaching theatre because it provides a platform for both creativity and personal growth. Theatre allows individuals to explore different perspectives, emotions, and experiences that can be transformative. The most valuable part of participating in theatre programs, in my opinion, is the opportunity for self-discovery and building confidence.
Through theatre, students learn the importance of teamwork, effective communication, and creative expression, all of which are essential skills both on and off the stage. It’s incredibly rewarding to witness the journey of growth and self-discovery that occurs within students as they immerse themselves in the world of theatre.
Click here to learn more about Ensemble Theatre Company!