EDUCATION
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A Chorus Line: Teen Edition
(Rising 9th-12th Graders and 19 year olds) In association with TUPAC Teaching Artists: Nyah Hart, Kaelynn Miller and Tarquinn White Dates: June 29th-July 17th Time: 9:00am-4:00pm Showcases: July 17th and 18th, times TBA Location: Lakewood Playhouse/TUPAC Ages: Rising 9th-12th Graders and 19 year olds Participant Fee: $600 A Chorus Line: Teen Edition is a full-length version of the Pulitzer Prize-winning musical, adapted for performance by high school students with family audiences. Every aspect of the show has been developed specifically - with the authors’ approval - to mount a production that offers an exciting and rewarding experience for students.
A Chorus Line is a stunning concept musical capturing the spirit and tension of a Broadway ensemble audition. Exploring the inner lives and poignant ambitions of professional Broadway performers, the show features one powerhouse number after another, including “What I Did For Love”, “One”, “I Can Do That”, “At the Ballet”, “The Music And The Mirror” and “I Hope I Get It”. A brilliantly complex fusion of song, dance and compellingly authentic drama, the show was instantly recognized as a classic. This three-week camp will focus on each stage of the production process from audition through to performance, culminating in a showcase of A Chorus Line: Teen Edition. Using this musical as the focus, participants will build and sharpen their singing, dancing and acting skills, and develop the tools and techniques to enhance their work in the journey from page to stage. Nyah Hart is a seasoned dancer, musician, and choreographer with over 16 years of experience. Raised in Washington state, she has had countless opportunities to perform and study in Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Canada, Chicago, and New York. From ballet and jazz to tap and hip hop, her talents have been utilized for local Seattle musicians' music videos and backup dancing for more well known artists. Nyah has also been recognized for her skills as a choreographer at various dance competitions. As a musician herself, she found ease and enjoyment most with tap dancing and loves to continue educating others of the historical significance it has had in her community. In her free time, Nyah voluntarily coaches a special needs cheer team in Olympia and enjoys helping out at Special Olympics events. Nyah is also an active competitor in the Miss America Opportunity. More recently, she has been given many opportunities at the Lakewood Playhouse as both an actress and a choreographer for their recent productions of For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide/When The Rainbow Is Enuf, Hadestown: Teen Edition, Seussical The Musical and Carrie. Kaelynn Miller is thrilled to be working as a teaching artist at Lakewood Playhouse this summer! Over the past four years she has choreographed, assistant directed and student directed a number of youth performances and camp shows. When she’s not doing that she’s probably onstage performing herself! Tarquinn White is a South African Performer who has a Post Graduate Degree in Education management and degree in Teaching Musical Theatre from Trinity London. He has performed in numerous musicals such as: (Angel) Rent, (Ensemble - Cover Riff Raff) The Rocky Horror Picture Show, (Guiseppe Zangarra) Assassins, (Riley) Parade, (Jaguwire) Bat Out Of Hell and Memphis (Germany) and an international Asian tour of Cats The Musical. Since moving to the USA in 2024, he has played Eddie in Sister Act, Robbie Hart in The Wedding Singer and Grady in The Color Purple. Tarquinn has an EP out titled “Tarquinn White - Love Letter” which can be found on all music streaming platforms. Tarquinn also has a crochet business on Instagram titled “Michail Designs” for clothing and “Michail Furry Babbie” for pets. Tarquinn loves to travel, swim, write songs, cook, bake and enjoy the outdoors. His motto in life is “Above all else, To thine own true self always be true”, only in knowing yourself can you be the gift humanity needs. |
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Ride The Cyclone: Teen Edition
(Rising 9th-12th Graders and 19 year olds) Teaching Artists: Davianna Griffin, Melissa Maañao and Brookelyne Peterson Dates: July 20th-August 7th Time: 9:00am-4:00pm Showcases: August 8th at 2:00pm and 7:00pm Location: Lakewood Playhouse Ages: Rising 9th-12th Graders and 19 year olds Participant Fee: $600 In this hilarious and outlandish story, the lives of six teenagers from a Canadian chamber choir are cut short in a freak accident aboard a roller coaster. When they awake in limbo, a mechanical fortune teller invites each to tell a story to win a prize like no other - the chance to return to life. Through a wondrously funny and touching series of songs, the teen contestants argue that they should be the ones to be saved.
Told with moving insights into adolescence as well as dark comedic style benefiting the outrageousness of its premise and with content adjusted especially for younger performers, Ride The Cyclone: Teen Edition is a memorable and original musical. What makes a life well-lived? Who deserves to have a second chance? Which are the memories that we will treasure? All these questions and more are answered in Jacob Richmond and Brooke Maxwell’s stunning work. This three-week camp will focus on each stage of the production process from audition through to performance, culminating in a showcase of Ride The Cyclone: Teen Edition. Using this musical as the focus, participants will build and sharpen their singing, dancing and acting skills, and develop the tools and techniques to enhance their work in the journey from page to stage. Davianna Griffin (she/her) is a choreographer, performer, and educator whose work focuses on 21st-century Black womanhood and embodied storytelling through Africanist aesthetics. Her choreography draws on autoethnographic and ancestral memory practices, exploring identity, resistance, and liberation. Davianna has presented work nationally and internationally, including in Brazil and El Salvador, and has collaborated with organizations such as the Wexner Center for the Arts, Hybrid Arts Lab, and Virginia Arts Festival Rhythm Project. Her work has been featured in the Baltimore Black Choreographers Festival, Neon Festival, and Emerging Black Choreographers Incubator. She has taught and created choreography at institutions including Old Dominion University, East Carolina University, and Slippery Rock University. A co-founder of Thick Like Me (TLM), an organization championing body liberation and holistic health, particularly for thick Black women in dance and beyond. Davianna earned her MFA in Dance from The Ohio State University and continues to create movement that challenges monolithic narratives and amplifies Black voices. Melissa Maañao has been working with theaters and schools since 2006. She has music directed and accompanied for Village Theatre KIDStage, Creative Theatre Experience, Tacoma Musical Playhouse CampTMP, The Evergreen School, Mount Rainier High School, and Centralia College. Melissa has taught all grades from K-12 and worked with various class sizes of 10 to 100! She owned a robust private voice studio while living in Seattle, helping students prepare for performances at The 5th Ave Theatre, Seattle Opera, Village Theater and for college auditions. Along with music directing, Melissa has performed at Village Theatre, Harlequin Productions, Bainbridge Performing Arts, Seattle Musical Theatre, Tacoma Musical Playhouse, Café Nordo, Florida Studio Theatre, Norwegian Cruise Lines, Majestic Lines and Azamara Cruises. Melissa currently teaches middle school choir in Lacey and continues to perform in the area. Much love to Robert & Camden! Brookelyne Peterson is a local actor, choreographer, and educator. She has a Bachelor of Science in Theatre from Utah Tech University, where she graduated with honors and several awards for her work, including Theatre for Young Audiences and Stage Combat, where she learned how to lead a classroom of students and received her combat training. She’s been participating in the Tacoma/Lakewood theatre scene for a couple years, participating in several productions at Lakewood Playhouse and Tacoma Little Theatre. She directed combat and movement for Count Dracula (Utah Tech University), Macbeth N.9 (Tumbleweed Theatre Co.), The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-Time (TLT), She Kills Monsters (UW-Tacoma), and Carrie The Musical (Lakewood Playhouse). She has taught Stage Combat for University of Washington-Tacoma, South Kitsap High School, and Lakewood Playhouse. More of her work can be seen at www.brookelynepeterson.com Ride The Cyclone: Teen Edition is currently sold out. If you would like to join the waitlist, please contact the Box Office. |
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Disney's Frozen Jr. (Rising 3rd-8th Graders)
Teaching Artists include: Nyah Hart and Courtnee Ramos Dates: August 10th-21st Time: 9:00am-4:00pm Showcases: August 22nd at 2:00pm and 7:00pm Location: Lakewood Playhouse Ages: Rising 3rd-8th Graders Participant Fee: $500 Frozen Jr. is based on the 2018 Broadway musical, and brings Elsa, Anna, and the magical land of Arendelle to life, onstage. The show features all of the memorable songs from the animated film, with music and lyrics by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, plus five new songs written for the Broadway production.
A story of true love and acceptance between sisters, Frozen Jr. expands upon the emotional relationship and journey between Princesses Anna and Elsa. When faced with danger, the two discover their hidden potential and the powerful bond of sisterhood. With a cast of beloved characters and loaded with magic, adventure, and plenty of humor, Frozen Jr. is sure to thaw even the coldest heart! In this two-week experience, participants will use this enchanting modern Disney classic to develop their skills in singing, acting and dancing. Nyah Hart is a seasoned dancer, musician, and choreographer with over 16 years of experience. Raised in Washington state, she has had countless opportunities to perform and study in Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Canada, Chicago, and New York. From ballet and jazz to tap and hip hop, her talents have been utilized for local Seattle musicians' music videos and backup dancing for more well known artists. Nyah has also been recognized for her skills as a choreographer at various dance competitions. As a musician herself, she found ease and enjoyment most with tap dancing and loves to continue educating others of the historical significance it has had in her community. In her free time, Nyah voluntarily coaches a special needs cheer team in Olympia and enjoys helping out at Special Olympics events. Nyah is also an active competitor in the Miss America Opportunity. More recently, she has been given many opportunities at the Lakewood Playhouse as both an actress and a choreographer for their recent productions of For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide/When The Rainbow Is Enuf, Hadestown: Teen Edition, Seussical The Musical and Carrie. Courtnee Ramos shines in every role she takes on as a performer, director, teacher, and choreographer. After achieving a BFA in Theatre, Music, and Psychology from Utah Tech University, she has eagerly taken every opportunity possible to help young performers discover the power of bringing their unique energy and perspective into each rehearsal and performance. She creates a space built on kindness, inclusivity, and diversity, where every student feels seen and encouraged to take creative risks. Courtnee has taught and directed youth programs with Creative Theatre Experience, Lakewood Playhouse, Encore Performing Arts, Tacoma Urban Performing Arts Center, and Studio East. Known for her vibrant and upbeat energy, Courtnee strives to create art that connects to audiences of all ages and backgrounds and grants hope for positive change in our piece of the world! Frozen Jr. is currently sold out. If you would like to join the waitlist, please contact the Box Office. |
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Disney's Finding Nemo Kids (Rising 1st-6th Graders)
Teaching Artists include: Kaelynn Miller and LaNita Hudson Walters Dates: August 24th-28th Time: 9:00am-4:00pm Showcases: August 28th at 4:00pm Location: Lakewood Playhouse Ages: Rising 1st-6th Graders Participant Fee: $300 Disney’s Finding Nemo Kids is a 30-minute musical adaptation of the beloved 2003 Pixar movie Finding Nemo, with new music by award-winning songwriting team Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez. Marlin, an anxious and over-protective clownfish, lives in the Great Barrier Reef with his kid Nemo, who longs to explore the world beyond their anemone home. But when Nemo is captured and taken to Sydney, Marlin faces his fears and sets off on an epic adventure across the ocean. With the help of lovable characters such as optimistic Dory, laid-back sea turtle Crush, and the supportive Tank Gang, Marlin and Nemo both overcome challenges on their journey to find each other and themselves.
Featuring memorable songs such as “Just Keep Swimming”, “Fish Are Friends Not Food”, and “Go With The Flow”, Finding Nemo Kids brings a vibrant underwater world to life on stage in a story full of family, friendship, and adventure. This five-day camp will utilize this fun family musical to give a taste of the theatrical process. From audition to performance in just one week, the young actors will have a chance to develop their skills while learning through collaboration and experiencing every aspect of the production process. Kaelynn Miller is thrilled to be working as a teaching artist at Lakewood Playhouse this summer! Over the past four years she has choreographed, assistant directed and student directed a number of youth performances and camp shows. When she’s not doing that she’s probably onstage performing herself! LaNita Hudson Walters is a South Sound teaching artist, performer, and director who has worked with young actors for more than three decades. She is delighted to join Lakewood Playhouse this summer. LaNita brings a warm approach to theatre education, helping students build confidence, creativity, and strong ensemble skills while discovering the joy of storytelling onstage. |
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The Secret Garden: Spring Version (Grades 8-12)
Teaching Artists: TBA Dates: November 17th-December 30th (Tuesdays & Thursdays from November 17th to December 10th, excluding Thanksgiving, then December 14th-18th, 21st-23rd, 28th, 29th) Time: 4:00-6:00pm (Nov 17th-Dec 10th), 9:00am-4:00pm (Dec 14th-29th) Showcases: December 30th at 4:00pm and 7:00pm Location: Lakewood Playhouse Ages: Grades 8-12 Participant Fee: $300 The Secret Garden is an enchanting classic of children's literature, reimagined in brilliant musical style by composer Lucy Simon and Marsha Norman, the Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright of 'Night Mother.
Orphaned in India, 11-year-old Mary Lennox returns to Yorkshire to live with her embittered, reclusive uncle Archibald and his disabled son Colin. The estate's many wonders include a magic garden which beckons the children with haunting melodies and the "Dreamers", spirits from Mary's past who guide her through her new life, dramatizing The Secret Garden's compelling tale of forgiveness and renewal. This education project will focus on each stage of the production process from audition through to performance, culminating in a showcase performance of The Secret Garden: Spring Version, a beautiful and spirited 70-minute adaptation of this beloved musical. Participants will build and sharpen their singing, dancing and acting skills, and develop the tools and techniques to enhance their work in the journey from page to stage. |
At Lakewood Playhouse we believe finances should not be a barrier to participation. Please contact us for scholarship and assistance options, or submit a scholarship application form by clicking the button below.
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