By MADDY VITALE
The Greater Ocean City Theatre Company has a full lineup of classes and camps to help young talents and adults hone and broaden their skills.
This spring and summer there will be something for everyone, with classes and camps specializing in everything from Broadway hits to improv.
“Our 2023 educational lineup features opportunities to inspire people of all ages and abilities to experience the power of theatre and dance education,” Founding Artistic Director Michael Hartman said Sunday.
He continued, “The kids, youth, and adults who participate in one of our camps or classes build confidence, and self-esteem, perfect public speaking skills, grow theatrical abilities, and expand knowledge, all while having fun.”
The classes and camps are geared toward different age groups. There are classes and camps geared toward specific age groups.
For instance, there is the Storytime Theatre, in which students from kindergarten to second grade showcase their skills using their favorite storybook characters.
There is also an Improv Acting Troupe where students in grades seventh to 12th learn improv techniques.
Then there is an adult acting class for people 16 years old and up. The camps give kids plenty of choices from theatre camps that feature hits from Broadway to ones that focus on different cultures.
In addition, there is the Stars program, which specializes in honing acting and theatre skills of those with disabilities. The three-week course is for teens age 13 through adult age with some type of disability.
“OCTC has made a commitment to make theatre accessible for all,” Hartman emphasized. “We are very excited to expand our programming to individuals with physical, cognitive, and developmental disabilities through our Stars program.”
While the theatre is a popular attraction for students who want to become actors or performers, or for those who just have a passion for singing, dancing and the stage, the nonprofit theatre company, in its 16th year, has struggled since the COVID-19 pandemic.
In January, OCTC announced on the nonprofit’s Facebook page that the theatre company was lacking participation and ticket sales and there were difficult decisions that had to be made, which resulted in cuts to some of the programming.
“Our 16th season will look different because we have decided to disband or end some longstanding elements of OCTC,” Hartman said last month.
Despite some difficulty, the beloved local theatre company is able to continue to provide a long list of classes and camps to those, young and old alike, who want to learn or hone their talents.
Here is a list of the lineup of classes and camps:
STORYTIME THEATRE
Students in kindergarten through second grade will bring all their favorite storybook characters to life. Classes meet Saturday mornings from 9 a.m. to 10 am. at the OCTC Studios on West Avenue. Classes begin on March 11 and end on April 29.
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL ACTING CLASS
Open to students in third through fifth grades. This class will teach the basics of acting for the stage, and you will learn to hone and craft your acting skills. Classes begin Saturday March 11 and end on Saturday, April 29. All classes are from 10:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. at the OCTC Studios.
BROADWAY DANCE AND SCULPT
Open to everyone 16 years and older, this 50-minute, open-level class provides a full body warmup and back-to-back cardio bursts of Broadway-inspired dances. Classes are Sunday mornings at 9:30 a.m. starting on March 19 and ending on April 2.
MUSICAL THEATRE AUDITION PREP
This class is for eighth grade through college levels and is intended for students with an intermediate to advanced understanding of musical theater. Classes meet 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at OCTC studios on March 19, March 26, and April 2.
OCTC ‘STARS’ PROGRAM
This three-week course is intended for teens age 13 through adult who have physical, cognitive, or developmental disabilities. Classes are held at OCTC studios, from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. on March 19, March 26, and April 2.
IMPROV ACTING TROUPE
This improv class teaches classic improv techniques in the style of ‘Whose Line Is It Anyway?’ This class is open to students in seventh through 12th grades. Classes are held on Mondays from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the OCTC Studios. Classes start April 3 and end on May 15.
ADULT ACTING CLASS
This class is open to anyone 16 years old and older. Learn monologues, and perform both comedic and dramatic scenes. Classes begin Monday, April 3 and end on May 15. Classes meet at OCTC Studios on Mondays from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
MUSICAL THEATRE SONG & DANCE
OCTC is offering two sessions of this class, one for students in second to fourth grades and one for students from fifth to eighth grades. Students will experience the thrill of singing, dancing, and performing. Classes are Tuesday nights starting on April 4 and ending on May 16.
MUSICAL THEATRE DANCE FOR ADULTS
This class is open to teens and adults. Each class, you will learn the choreography of a Broadway song. Classes are from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday evenings starting on April 5 and concluding on May 17.
The 2023 Summer Theatre Camp Schedule is as follows:
SUMMER KICKOFF MINI-CAMP – IT’S A SMALL WORLD
In this mini-camp, campers in kindergarten through third grades as of fall 2023 will explore theatre techniques and will bring the cultures of Hawaii (Moana), Columbia (Encanto), and Arabian Desert (Aladdin) to life through singing, dancing, acting, crafts, and more.
THEATRE CAMP 1: JUKEBOX TIME MACHINE
Keeping with the tradition of offering a fantastic theatre experience for youth, Ocean City Theatre Company’s annual collaboration with the Ocean City Recreation Department returns. Camp is open to third through eighth grade students as of fall 2023. To sign up go to www.ocnj.us (Click on Recreation Programs). For more information, call 609-525-9304.
THEATRE CAMP 2: A MIXED-UP FAIRYTALE
This camp is for all the young actors and actresses who like to perform but don’t want to do musical theatre!
Camp is open to third through eighth grade students as of fall 2023. This two-week camp runs 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. July 17–21, July 24–28, with a performance on the last day at the Hughes Performing Arts Center.
THEATRE CAMP 3: BROADWAY BEAT
Celebrate musical theater with hits such as “Hairspray,” “The Music Man,” “The King and I,” and “Grease.”
Camp is open to students in second through eighth grade as of fall 2023. This two-week camp runs 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. July 31-August 4, August 7-11, with a performance at the end of camp on August 5 at the Hughes Performing Arts Center.
Final Mini-Camp: THEATRE EXPLORER CAMP
In this mini-camp, actors/actresses will be introduced to dramatic play and basic theatre techniques. Camp is open to kindergarten through third grade students as of fall 2023. This one-week camp runs August 14-18, with a performance at the end of camp on August 18 at the Hughes Performing Arts Center.
ACTING FOR THE CAMERA
Participants will learn technical skills related to acting for the camera and explore various elements of on-screen performances for TV, film, voiceovers, and commercials.
Camp is open to fifth through 12rd grade students as of fall 2023. This one-week camp runs August 14-18.
THE WIZARD OF OZ MUNCHKIN CAMP
Kids in second through fifth grades will have the opportunity to work alongside professional actors and the Ocean City POPS Orchestra in a fully staged production of The Wizard of Oz. Rehearsals begin on July 13 with performances on August 1-11
THE 2023 SUMMER JUNIOR COMPANY
The company offers Mean Girls High School Edition for the High School Junior Company and Legally Blonde Jr for Middle School. The OCTC Junior Company is an audition-based program. Register for an appointment at https://oceancitytheatrecompany.com/.
MEAN GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL EDITION
Mean Girls High School edition is open to students in ninth through 12th grade as of September 2023. Performances will be held at the Ocean City Music Pier on July 21st and 22nd at 7:30 p.m.
LEGALLY BLONDE JR.
The show is based on the award-winning Broadway musical and the smash hit motion picture, Legally Blonde The Musical JR.
Legally Blonde Jr. is open to students in fifth through eighth grade as of September 2023. Performances will be held at the Ocean City Music Pier on August 25th and 26th at 7:30 p.m.
To learn more about any 2023 spring classes, summer camps, or Junior Company opportunities and for other information about the Ocean City Theatre Company, visit https://oceancitytheatrecompany.com/ or call 609-398-11118.
