"A small space where big things happen."

Common Ground Theatre Performance Arts Camp

Common Ground Theatre Performance Arts Camp is a unique experience for aspiring young artists aged 5-13. During the course of the one-week session, children will participate in dance, music and theatre classes as well as rehearse and perform an original play developed specifically for our program. Full-day campers will explore the technical side of theatre including lights, props, costumes, and sets and participate in performing arts specialty classes. For a registration form, please e-mail Rachel Klem or call (919) 698-3870.

Common Ground Performance Art Camp also offers a mini-camp for 3 & 4-year-olds in association with Total Dance, Inc. THE DATES FOR THIS MINI-CAMP ARE AUGUST 18, 20 & 22. WE ARE STILL ACCEPTING REGISTRATION FOR THIS CAMP. For more information please e-mail Rachel Klem or call (919) 698-3870.

Sessions

PLEASE NOTE: OUR AUGUST SESSION IS FULL. However our mini-camp for 3 & 4 year olds is still enrolling.

CGT’s Performance Arts Camp is a six-day camp:
Session I: July 14-19: “The Wonderful Life of a Fly Who Couldn’t Fly”
This is a beautiful story of a fly who is born without wings. She takes a journey to discover her purpose in the world, and on the way meets all the bugs of the forest- from flies to ants to butterflies. In the end, we learn that anyone can make a difference in the world.

Session II: August 18-23 (FULL): “Goodnight, Animals”
Featuring music from Saint- Saens “Carnival of the Animals,” we follow the story of a zoo keeper who is too tired to notice that the animals are sneaking out of their cages.

A Typical Day at Camp

9:00- 9:15- Actor’s warm-up
9:15-10:30- Play Rehearsal
10:30-10:45- Snack
10:45-12:00- Music and Dance Rehearsal
12:00-1:00- Lunch and Games
1:00-3:00- Technical Theatre- set, costumes, lighting, props
or Specialty classes- Dance, Music or Theatre Games

Important Information

Performance dates:
Campers must be available for all performance dates and times:
Performance Dates:
Session I (July): Fri. July 18 at 5:30pm, Sat. Aug 19 at 11am and 1pm
Session II (Aug.): Fri. Aug. 22nd at 5:30pm, Sat. Aug. 23rd at 11am and 1pm

Fees:
Morning- 9am- 12pm: $150
Half Day- 9am- 1pm: $175
Full Day – 9am- 3pm: $250

Snacks and Lunches:
Common Ground will provide two snacks throughout the camp day. If your child has any food allergies, we ask that you provide snacks for your child. Common Ground does not provide lunches and each camper should bring a lunch every day.

Staff Bios

Rachel Klem is the director of CGT’s Performance Arts Camp. Ms. Klem has been teaching acting for 15 years to all ages. In the Triangle, Ms. Klem has developed programs and taught for John Robert Powers and Meredith College Theatre Department. In Chicago, Ms. Klem developed and implemented educational theatre programs for The City of Chicago and The Chicago Park District. She received a BA in Drama from San Francisco State University, and an MFA in Acting from The Theatre School at DePaul University in Chicago. Ms. Klem is the manager of Common Ground Theatre and a company member of both Ghost & Spice Productions and Transactors Improv. She teaches theatre at NC State.

Jennifer Hancock is the lead teacher of Music for CGT’s Performance Arts Camp. She earned her Bachelor’s of Music degree in 1993 from Capital University. Ms. Hancock established her Suzuki piano teaching studio in 1997, and has since completed coursework in Suzuki Piano pedagogy, books one through six. Ms. Hancock is recognized by the Music Teachers National Association as a Nationally Certified Teacher of Music. She also holds Level 2 certification from the Early Childhood Music & Movement Association, and is a licensed Musikgarten educator for children from age birth to 5 years. She maintains a teaching studio in her home near Mebane NC, and is director of the Triangle Music School in Durham, NC. Performances include: a master class with Russian pianist Andrei Diev, a live concert recording with the improvisatory group the MicroEast Collective, a harpsichord performance with the Durham Symphony String Ensemble, and a solo piano recital in June 2004. Ms. Hancock also occasionally joins the percussion section of the Philharmonia of Greensboro.

Cory Hunt is the lead teacher of Dance for CGT’s Performance Arts Camp. She is the Owner/Director of Total Dance Inc. in Durham. Ms. Hunt has been dancing for 21 years and teaching for 11 years. She studied dance at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte where she was a member of the nationally ranked dance team. She also danced with Carolina Style Jazz Company and many other organizations. As a teacher, Ms. Hunt has choreographed National Championship routines and her choreography has received many Platinum achievements at different dance competitions. She continues to increase her knowledge as a teacher and a dancer by attending conventions and studying with other professionals.

Michelle Byars is the teacher of Movement at CGT Summer Camp. She comes from the San Francisco Bay Area, where she studied theatre at A.C.T and San Francisco State University. She was both a director and the resident stage manager for Hillbarn Theatre in Foster City, CA. Ms. Byars is a founding member of Ghost & Spice Productions theatre company where she has directed several productions over the years. Ms Byars is a certified YogaKids Instructor, and has been teaching children, from preschoolers to teens, for several years. Ms Byars works with Emerge – A Child’s Place and ARC of Orange County, teaching children with special needs.

Lamont Reed (teacher assistant- July): is a native of Winston Salem. He received a BA in Theatre Performance from Shaw University in Raleigh. Since graduation he has been in numerous plays around the Triangle. Lamont has aspirations to attend grad school and become a theatre scholar. He is also very excited to be helping out with camp two years in a row.

Lormarev Jones (teacher assistant- July & August) earned her Arts degree in Theatre and Dance from Meredith College in Raleigh. She was a counselor for their performing arts camp every summer while a student there. Once a child herself, she enjoys playing with toys and pretending to be other people. She has participated in theatre onstage and offstage since the age of 8 and hopes to one day open her own theatre. She continues to be an active member of the theatre community, having worked with just about all of the major companies in the area, including Little Green Pig, Manbites Dog, Deep Dish, Ghost & Spice and Raleigh Ensemble Players.