Katie Czajkowski (13) of Glendale in Tracy Turnblad mode during a recent Hairspray summer camp at Childsplay
Valley teen Katie Czajkowski knows a lot about going to theater camp. She just completed her third summer of theater camps with Childsplay in Tempe and her first summer of theater camp at Phoenix Theatre, where she favors one week camps with a musical theater theme.
Think “Into the Woods,” “You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown,” “Grease,” “Guys and Dolls” and more.
I saw Czajkowski perform recently and was struck by not only her acting, but her vocals as well — though she’s only recently started acting and vocal training with a Valley studio called Voices.
Czajkowski tells me she hopes to perform for a living one day, and I haven’t any doubt she’s got what it takes. Knowing that registration is already open for several fall theater camps, I decided to ask her for tips on choosing a theater camp.
Phoenix Theatre summer camp performers (Photo by Sara Chambers)
Seems her mom Deb (who shared the first photo above) does a lot of the initial research, but that they make decisions together about which camps to choose. Katie’s a big fan of musical theater so she often chooses camps related to her favorite shows. Hence her “Tracy Turnblad” performance during a summer “Hairspray” camp at Childsplay.
Phoenix Theatre summer campers (Photo by Sara Chambers)
Consider practical elements, like scheduling, suggests Czajkowski — but also consider the background and attitude of teachers doing the camps. Not everyone loves working with kids, she says, and the best teachers are those who are working theater professionals.
Czajkowski shared that her summer camp teachers were professional, organized and knowledgable and that they were able to teach a great deal of material in a short period of time while staying upbeat. The best teachers make things fun and interesting, she says.
Sometimes word of mouth or trial-and-error is helpful in figuring out which theater programs offer that perfect mix of passion and professionalism. But many theater companies note teacher credentials online so you can assess their experience with theater and with youth.
Phoenix Theater summer campers on stage (Photo by Sara Chambers)
It’s nice to work with different teachers, says Czajkowski, because every director is different. She’s learning her way around Valley theater by studying with theater professionals and enjoying live theater performance.
Czajkowski says she enjoys venues like ASU Gammage, Arizona Broadway Theatre and Broadway Palm Theatre — where she’s been seeing shows with her mom since the age of five. Her favorite musicals include “Phantom of the Opera,” “Wicked,” and “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.”
As I’m preparing for my own daughter Lizabeth to move to NYC for college theater studies, it’s great to know that other mothers and daughters are enjoying Broadway works together here in the Valley.
Rehearsal for a Childsplay Academy performance (Photo courtesy of Childsplay)
Theater camps have been good to Lizabeth through the years — fostering creativity, problem-solving, teamwork and much more. Not everyone who attends theater camp chooses to train or work in the theater, but everyone experiences a way of being in the world that stays with them for a lifetime.
— Lynn
Note: Many theater camps fill quickly, so now is the time to research fall options at local performing arts venues, acting/music/dance studios and theater companies. You’ll find additional resources in the September “performing arts” issue of Raising Arizona Kids magazine.
Coming up: More teens share their theater experiences, Fun finds in Flagstaff, From acting to anatomy?
Stage Mom Musings 