Theater camp has new classes, director

(THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. - May 24, 2011) The Summer Theatre Camp presented by the Kingsmen Shakespeare Company and California Lutheran University returns for its 26th year with new classes and a new director.

This year, students who have completed "Beginning Shakespeare" can take "Advanced Shakespeare" I or II sessions. Each two-week workshop covers Shakespeare scenes and stage combat at a progressively more advanced level and culminates in the presentation of scene work on the Kingsmen Shakespeare Festival stage. "Advanced Shakespeare I" also includes acting techniques and "Advanced Shakespeare II" includes period dance.

In "Beginning Shakespeare," children will learn basic acting technique and its application to the Bard's work, leading up to presenting scenes on the stage. Students in "Acting Techniques" will study voice, movement, approaching a script, improvisation and stage combat, and will present scene work before an audience. "Musical Theatre" will cover vocal technique and auditioning and culminate with a performance of selections from a well-known musical.

Michael McCambridge of Sherman Oaks brings 40 years of experience in education and drama to his new role as camp director. McCambridge chairs the teacher education program at California Lutheran University and teaches a creative drama course for the university's theatre arts department. He has directed drama programs in kindergarten through 12th grade schools, founded two theater companies and guided community and professional theater organizations.

"Musical Theatre" teacher Barbara Wegher-Thompson, who teaches and choreographs at CLU and has been involved with the Young Artists Ensemble, is one of the camp's original teachers. The teaching faculty also includes actors from the Kingsmen Shakespeare Company, the professional theatre company of CLU that presents the Kingsmen Shakespeare Festival each summer.

Workshops will be held Monday through Friday on the following dates:

"Beginning Shakespeare" (ages 8 to 12) - June 20 though July 1; July 11 through 22, 8 a.m. to noon
"Acting Techniques" (ages 12 to 16) - June 20 through July 1, 1 to 5 p.m.
"Advanced Shakespeare I" (ages 8 to 16) - July 11 through 22, 1 to 5 p.m.
"Musical Theatre" (ages 12 to 16) - July 25 through Aug. 5, 8 a.m. to noon
"Advanced Shakespeare II (ages 8 to 16) - July 25 through Aug. 5, 1 to 5 p.m.

Individual sessions cost $285. Two sessions cost $525 and three sessions $750. Classes will be held in the CLU Theatre Arts Building.

Registration is available online at http://kingsmenshakespeare.org. For more information, call (805) 493-3455 or email campshakespeare@kingsmenshakespeare.org.