Summer – Stage 2: Junior Broadway Camp

Grades 5-8

Shrek the Musical Jr.

Our 2024 production was Finding Nemo Jr.

Stage 2: Junior Broadway Camp is a four-week, full-day camp experience in which students spend time rehearsing and performing a musical with our staff to perform at the end of the camp period.  Camp day activities and games are a part of every day to help make sure that campers are having a full, fun summer camp experience

Junior Broadway’s focus is helping students learn and grow as performers while building a full Broadway Junior musical that is performed on the Theatre Ancaster main stage in Peller Hall. This program allows students the opportunity to enjoy showing off what they have learned with their friends in a larger performance.  Our professional staff works to create costumes, set, props, and lighting to help our students get the full Broadway experience!

Registration for Junior Broadway will be by application.  Applications are evaluated for experience and space by our program staff.  We want to ensure that students have a good experience that is not overwhelming for them.  Unfortunately, space is limited and not every applicant can be admitted.

Additionally, to allow as many students as possible to participate in our programs, we will not accept campers into both the Performance and Junior Broadway Camp.

Fee:
$1,400 for four-week session

(plus handling fee)

Dates and Times:

June 30 – July 27
Monday – Friday from 9:00 am – 3:30 pm (including holidays)

Performances:
July 25, 26 at 7:00 pm
July 26, 27 at 2:00 pm

Location:
Ancaster Memorial Arts Centre
357 Wilson St. E, Ancaster
and
Old Firehall Arts Centre
334 Wilson St E, Ancaster

Performances held in Peller Hall at the Ancaster Memorial Arts Centre

Additional Information:

 

Applications

Applications will open on Sunday, January 12 at 8 am, and acceptances will be chosen by January 19 so that students unable to join this new program will still have an opportunity to join our Stage 2: Performance Camp as usual when registration opens for our other summer camp programming.

Casting

Casting for roles will take place by audition before camp begins. (Likely in April/May.)  Students and families will be informed of roles in the show by email shortly after auditions.  This allows us to begin working on the show immediately as camp begins.

Costuming

Families will not be asked to provide or pay for students’ costumes.  However, we might ask families to provide some items such as a base layer to be worn under the costume or help with difficult-to-fit items such as shoes.

Cancellations and Refunds

Because of the high cost of using Peller Hall for our performances and our desire to pay our staff fair wages, we are unable to offer refunds for cancellations after casting.  Students joining Stage 2: Junior Broadway Camp are making a commitment to the entire process.

Before casting, we are able to offer a full refund for cancellations, though all cancellations are subject to a non-refundable $25 admin fee.

Performances

Performances of the show will be open to the public and tickets will be sold via the Ancaster Memorial Arts Centre Box Office, beginning in June.  As performances are the culmination of the camp process, all performances are mandatory for campers to participate in.

Before & After Care

  • We offer extended care before and after the regular camp hours.
  • Morning care: 7:30 am – 9:00 am, $12 per day
  • Afternoon care: 3:30 pm – 5:30 pm, $18 per day
  • Both morning care and afternoon care: $30 per day
  • Cancellation and full refunds are allowed up to and including the Friday before each week begins. For example, if you registered for child care the week of Monday, July 15 – a full refund of your fee will be offered until Friday, July 12.
  • To ensure proper staff-to-child ratios, refunds will not be offered for days your child does not attend the before and after care program once the session has begun.
Samantha Heath

Sam Heath

Director

Sam Heath (she/her) is a graduate of The University of Guelph Bachelor of Arts Honours Theatre Studies program and is ecstatic to share her education and theatre experience with the next generation of performers. She has worked within Theatre Ancaster’s youth programming for over five years after being in many productions herself. Sam continues to pursue theatrical arts in all aspects. Sam’s goal within this program is to ensure that every person has a moment to shine onstage and to grow both as a performer and a human being. She believes theatre is a place where we can all belong and explore who we are through creativity and develop friendships that can last a lifetime.

FAQ

What is your staff to camper ratio?

Our program typically has 40 children enrolled with a staff to child ratio of no greater than 1:7. Children spend part of their day divided into smaller groups depending on the activity they are engaged in.

What training and qualifications do your staff hold?

Our staff is made up of qualified and experienced educators, both in formal education settings and in the arts industry. Our staff have extensive training not only in their field of expertise but on child development, safety, and effective teaching. All staff members hold their Level C First Aid/CPR training certificates and have a Vulnerable Sector Records Check.

Do campers spend time outdoors?

Weather permitting, our campers will spend at least one of their nutrition breaks outdoors.  One of the days at Camp will also be our Wild Water Day, an outdoor water games and water fight day.

Where and when do campers eat lunch? Is lunch included?

Our summer programs follow a two-nutrition break schedule, similar to HWDSB schools. This means that children are provided with two long breaks to eat each day. We try to ensure that at least one of those breaks is spent outdoors. Lunch is not provided, and campers need to bring a packed lunch that is nut free.

Is participation in the final performance mandatory?

Yes, attendance at the final performance is mandatory. Our entire program is structured around the creation of the final show and children will get the most out of their experience with full participation.

How long are the final performances?

Stage 2: Junior Broadway Camp final performances last a little over one and a quarter hours. Doors open for audience seating a half hour before the performance begins.