Towne Street Theatre Kids Camp

K-12 STEAM education

City of Los Angeles (select only if your project has a citywide benefit) Central LA South LA East LA

Expand existing project, program, or initiative (expanding and continuing ongoing, successful work)

The original formation of the TST Musical Theatre Kids Camp was created to address a lack of arts programming in largely Black areas. In a post-pandemic world, we recognize that children need the arts now more than ever. Students missed a lot of social development, which the arts support, giving them the tools to process their thoughts, feelings, and experiences in a healthy way. Reports show that art education strengthens problem-solving and critical-thinking skills. Theater offers a fun way for children to enhance their reading skills and academic achievement by bringing stories to life through performance, constructing a set, finding props and costumes, and learning how technology can be integrated into the production. Performing arts has a proven track record of helping kids and teens become better members of society. In the world of theatre they learn the value of time management and effective communication, honing skills that are essential both on and off the stage.

Our camp will employ professional theatre artists to teach kids ages 7-17 all the aspects of what it means to put on a theatre production, from building sets, to finding props, creating costumes, and learning lines and blocking. Our goal is to introduce these children to the creative field and give them the opportunity to explore the industry that drives the economy they live in.
All students will audition for a role as well as be assigned to one of the technical components depending on their interests. Throughout the camp we will bring in industry professionals to lead workshops about the different opportunities available in the entertainment field. For example, with our over 10 year partnership with Disney and ABC casting executives, we will be able to bring in a Youth Casting Director to work with the students.
In addition to onstage and backstage experiences, the students will also learn about the administrative side of theatre. The older students will assist with front of house and learn how to put together a program and marketing materials. With most schools utilizing programs like Canva and Google Workspace, we aim to show how the skills they are learning in school can be transferable to the workplace and future careers. With minority communities still underrepresented across most white collar careers, this will be a great opportunity for students to see possible career options.

Los Angeles is considered the creative capital of the world. Training LA youth to embrace all aspects of the performing arts through a summer camp is a fun way for kids to learn all the possibilities of what it means to be a creative professional. By teaching the children of LA creative and technical skills, TST will support building an educated, strong, and resilient workforce which will help the future creative economy and increase arts access and quality of life for many community members.
Since the original camp ended in 2014, we have seen a generational impact take place. Many of our former campers have gone on to pursue successful careers in all aspects of the creative industry all over the country. One of our goals has always been to create a legacy of the love and commitment we have for theatre within our company, especially with our young people.