Twin Cities Theater Camp is a unique summer theater institute where children learn from professionals in all areas of the theater arts and perform in a full length musical production. TCTC offers children a fun, stimulating experience where they can be themselves, express themselves, and make new friends.

Our program lasts for five weeks each summer during which students will rehearse and take classes from Twin Cities arts professionals. The program culminates in three performances of a full-length musical often incorporating student-created content.

Twin Cities Theater Camp is designed for children ages 7-14 years of age. This age range facilitates a unique mentoring opportunity between older, more experienced children, and younger children who are new to theater and the TCTC experience. It is a value of the staff at Twin Cities Theater Camp that theater education be available to all, and scholarship funds are available to students who cannot afford the program tuition.

Scroll down to read testimonials, meet the staff, view pictures of our productions and learn more about the day-to-day of TCTC!

"I like camp because it feels great!"

- Lili

"Camp is about meeting old friends and making new ones"

- Aiden

“That moment when I feel so happy and welcome here”

— Katherine

"Camp is about being part of an awesome community"

-Annika

“Performing as a community and as a family”

— Ethan

“Making new traditions”

— Eloise

“You can become someone else”

— Lexi

What to Expect

8:00 - Morning Welcome - Students are greeted and given an overview of the day before breaking into groups for the morning

8:10 - Movement and Dance - Students will learn physical movement and dance techniques including choreography for the show

8:45 - Acting Class - Acting class may involve anything from improvisation games to dialects

9:20 - Music Class - Children are taught about vocal technique, musicianship and gain confidence-boosting performance skills

9:55 - Break - All kids are given a break in the mornings to socialize and burn off some energy outside

10:30 - Art Class - Students work on a summer-long art project with our artist-in-residence. This project will be displayed for the audience before and after performances at the end of camp.

11:00- Lunch - Students head back outside (weather permitting!) for lunch and social time

12:00- Afternoon Rehearsal (Part 1) - Students break into groups to work specifically on preparation for the show.

1:45 - Afternoon Rehearsal (Part 2) - After a quick break, students move into a different rehearsal. If they worked on music before, they may move onto learning the choreography for a specific musical number.

2:45 - Massed Rehearsal - Students all return to the theater to "put the pieces together". The students and staff all work together to compose large group numbers.

Staff

John Catron - Director, ActingJohn Catron is an accomplished actor, artist and musician active in the Twin Cities. An actor with a wide range, John is a company member with the Pillsbury House Theater and has stage credits at Park Square Theatre, The Illusion Theater, Theatre Mu, The Guthrie and many more. In addition to his coaching, John directs shows and designs and builds sets for TCTC. — **John Catron - Director, Acting**
John Catron is an accomplished actor, artist and musician active in the Twin Cities. An actor with a wide range, John is a company member with the Pillsbury House Theater and has stage credits at Park Square Theatre, The Illusion Theater, Theatre Mu, The Guthrie and many more. In addition to his coaching, John directs shows and designs and builds sets for TCTC.

Ellen Fenster - Artistic DirectorEllen Fenster is a professional theater director and teacher in Minneapolis. Ellen has worked with many Twin Cities theaters including Illusion Theater, Pillsbury House Theater, Gremlin Theater, The Guthrie, Park Squ… — **Ellen Fenster - Artistic Director**
Ellen Fenster is a professional theater director and teacher in Minneapolis. Ellen has worked with many Twin Cities theaters including Illusion Theater, Pillsbury House Theater, Gremlin Theater, The Guthrie, Park Square Theater, and South High School

Tim Kraack - Music DirectorTim is a musician and teacher from St. Paul. He teaches piano, songwriting and voice privately and at St. Joseph's School of Music and is the Assistant Middle School Choral Director at St. Paul Academy. In addition to concertizing around the Twin Cities, Tim writes and performs music in a variety of genres. — **Tim Kraack - Music Director**
Tim is a musician and teacher from St. Paul. He teaches piano, songwriting and voice privately and at St. Joseph's School of Music and is the Director of Choirs at Saint Paul Academy. In addition to concertizing around the Twin Cities, Tim writes and performs music in a variety of genres. In 2022, TCTC premiered Tim’s original musical *The Logic Pit*.

**Eric Sharp** - **Assistant Director, Dialect Coach, Acting Coach**
As a professional actor Eric has been seen onstage at Theater Mu, Guthrie Theater, Alliance Theatre, Ten Thousand Things, Theatre de la Jeune Lune, and many others. He has performed regionally and internationally in Minneapolis, New York, Atlanta, Toronto, Edinburgh, and once co-produced and performed a play in a full-size swimming pool. Eric has worked with TCTC students for many summers and we’re always delighted to have him back!

Lisa Arnold - Art InstructorLisa is a visual artist who lives in Minneapolis but works all over Minnesota. Specializing in mosaic, Lisa has works hanging across the state thanks to grants including the Minnesota State Arts Board and projects in Minnesota libraries. Each year, Lisa engages the TCTC students in a visual art project that relates to themes of the summer's show. — **Lisa Arnold - Art Instructor**
Lisa is a visual artist who lives in Minneapolis but works all over Minnesota. Specializing in mosaic, Lisa has works hanging across the state thanks to grants including the Minnesota State Arts Board and projects in Minnesota libraries. Each year, Lisa engages the TCTC students in a visual art project that relates to themes of the summer's show.

**LaTia Childers - Dance Instructor and Choreographer**
LaTia completed a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Dance from the University of Minnesota where she also studied American Sign Language. She began dancing at the age of three, and continued to express herself through movement throughout her education. In college, LaTia was a member of the Minnesota Dance Ensemble, amongst a myriad of artistic collaborations. She is an experienced dancer in a number of genres; LaTia feels that movement is an alternative means of conceptualizing the world, and her goal is to make those means accessible.

Visiting Instructors

**Eliza Rasheed** - **Assistant Director, Acting Coach**
Eliza Rasheed is a global and passionate theatre-practitioner dedicated to growing authentic and meaningful connections around the world. Eliza is the middle school theater teacher at Global Arts Plus in St. Paul and was a finalist for 2023 Teacher of the Year. She is also a freelance performer and director in the Twin Cities.