The summer camps at Arts YOUniversity, a new performing and visual arts school in Hamilton, have started registering campers, and it certainly looks like the product lives up to the buzz. Already the largest performing arts school in central New Jersey, Arts YOUniversity has doubled its space, which adds a large lobby where parents watch their favorite young performers on four flat screen TVs as they dance in one of three 1,250- square-foot dance studios with floating floors, as they sing or play music in one of two music rooms, as they act in the permanent 200-seat theater or as they draw, paint, or sculpt in the sunny visual arts studio. The students at the school seemed especially drawn to the theater, stars in their eyes as they talked about performing in Arts YOU’s summer camp performances.
The Musical Theater Camps for 7-12 year olds offer a different show each week, where all the voice, dance, acting, and craft classes for the week are geared toward that show with a performance in the theater at the end of the week. This summer, audiences will enjoy SHREK (July 5-9), Bye Bye Birdie (July 12-16), Pocahontas (July 19-23), You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown (July 26-30), Mama Mia (August 2-6), Peter Pan (August 9-13), and Wicked (August 16-20). Students may attend one to seven weeks of camp.
For older artists (ages 11 to 17), Arts YOUniversity offers a one-of-a-kind Script to Screen Movie Camp. From July 12-18, students get hands-on experience in all aspects of film-making by conceptualizing, writing, casting, rehearsing, lighting, shooting, editing and acting in their own short film. The film will be screened for all at the end of the camp and given to each student on DVD. For 11- to 17-year-old dancers, a Company Intensive Dance Camp (August 23-27) give students a chance to study multiple styles of dance from industry professionals, perform what they’ve learned at the end of the week, and also take a trip to NYC to not only see a Broadway show, but work with one of the cast members beforehand.
Not forgetting their smallest performers, Broadway Babies (July 19-23 and July 26-July 30) gives children ages 3-6 a fun-filled week discovering the many aspects of the performing arts with classes in dancing, acting, and singing. Students’ days are filled with storybook acting, music and creative movement classes, rehearsals, crafts, games, playtime, and snacks. Their weekly production will be performed for friends and family on Friday afternoon at 2:30 p.m.
“There are three basic components that makes Arts YOUniversity a success,” says co-artistic director, Susanne Trani-McClure. “Faculty, Facility, and a well rounded curriculum.” This performing arts school in Hamilton definitely has all three. “Our experienced teachers are able to teach both technique and artistry while maintaining a fun and positive environment!” she adds.
Arts YOUniversity, 4 Tennis Court, Hamilton (next to Iceland). 609-586-3008. www.ArtsYOUniversity.com
