RAMSDELL THEATRE CAMP

We’re thrilled to announce the inaugural Ramsdell Summer Theatre Camp, set to premiere in Summer 2021 on June 14th-26th, with a showcase performance for family and friends on Saturday, June 26th.

Students ages 12-17 are encouraged to join us as we dive into pre-professional training for the theatre. Led by an Artistic Team from New York City and Los Angeles, aspiring performers and theatremakers learn how to utilize the techniques of acting, singing, and dancing, and apply their skills to the context of a fully produced showcase.

Young theatremakers will also have the opportunity to embrace their interest and skills in theatre tech and design, getting hands-on experience with running lights, sound, introduction to costume/set design, and a chance to experience life backstage and behind the curtain in the beautiful, historic facilities of the Ramsdell Theatre.

Come join us, Monday-Friday, 9 am-12:30 pm, June 14th-26th at the Ramsdell Theatre in Manistee, MI!

The registration deadline is May 28th, with a limited capacity of 35 students, so leap – don’t walk – to sign up.

See you onstage!

ERIN THOMPSON (Program Director/Director-Choreographer) is the Founder and Producing Artistic Director of The Upper Peninsula Summer Theatre Institute, as well as an award-winning Director, Choreographer, Equity Performer, and Educator. She is a passionate advocate for providing accessible, pre-professional theatre education to the next generation of theatremakers. She is based in New York City. 

Erin received a B.F.A. in Musical Theater from The Boston Conservatory of Music. She spent the next 15 years performing professionally in commercial musical theater at nationally renowned regional theaters all over the country. Amidst her experience in over 40 Equity shows, she served as Dance Captain and Assistant/Associate (Director/Choreographer) on several of the shows, which would groom her for her latter career as a Director/Choreographer. She draws on her many years of experience onstage to bring empathy to her leadership in the rehearsal room. 

Erin moved to New York in 2011 and has since taught and worked with (and for) many of the wonderful humans of Broadway. She has mentored under Randy Skinner, Lonny Price, Jim Corti, Josh Rhodes, and Wendy Hall. She is a proud member of Actors Equity Association, Associate Member of SDC, and was awarded mentorship with the Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation 2018-19 Observership class. 

Erin serves as dance faculty at Steps on Broadway, and is a current MFA candidate in Performing Arts Management at Brooklyn College in New York. 

ABBEY SIEGWORTH (Associate Director) is so excited to join the team at Ramsdell Summer Theatre Camp Originally from the Chicago area, she is currently based in Los Angeles.  Abbey has worked with Titan Theatre Company and Three Day Hangover (NYC); Clarence Brown Theatre; Nebraska Repertory Theatre; American Players Theatre; Dallas Theater Center as a member of the Brierley Resident Acting Company; Montana Shakespeare in the Parks; and several theaters in Milwaukee and Chicago.

Favorite recent roles include: the title role in Electra, Abigail (Abigail/1702), and Jennifer (The Doctor’s Dilemma). Abbey spent summer 2019 at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival with the play Boswell; and stars in the independent film Stolen Season, currently available on Amazon and iTunes. She is a proud member of the Actors Equity Association. BFA University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana; MFA Southern Methodist University.  www.abbeysiegworth.com

9am – 9:25am CIRCLE UP

9:25am – 9:50am PHYSICAL WARM-UP

9:50am – 10:00am BREAK

10am – 12:30pm Class and Rehearsal

Parents and students will receive a detailed weekly syllabus in advance of the first day of camp.

COVID-19 guidelines are essential to everyone’s safety. All students and parents must agree to adhere to these rules, or they will be asked to forfeit their spot in camp. Tuition will not be refunded as a result of non-compliance.

These are the general rules:

• Parents must have their child take a PCR COVID-19 test 3-5 days prior to June 14 and show a negative result
• Parents should limit their child’s social interaction leading up to the camp
• Masks on prior to entering the building
• Masks will stay on during the 9am – 12:30pm daily schedule
• Masks must cover nose and mouth. If the mask the student is wearing is not adequate, one will be provided for them.
• Hand sanitation is required upon entering the building and before students leave at the end of the camp day.
• Hand washing will be encourage while at the Ramsdell
• Students will not be allowed to share water bottles or drinks. Snacks and water breaks will be held outdoors.
• 12+ year-olds are encouraged to get the vaccine at least 2 weeks before camp begins to protect themselves and others.
• We will introduce as much fresh air into the schedule as the weather allows
• We will maintain a 3ft distance

The RRCA strongly recommends parents who wish to have their kids participate in the camp limit social activity leading up to the camp and plan to take a COVID test after the conclusion of the camp.