Welcome to our DIY summer theatre camp!

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As you know, the COVID19 pandemic has stymied us all.  Many have taken on the challenge to re-invent ‘normal’. Our home in the Reif Center has been shuttered, leaving us to think outside of our own box. Being the artists that we are,the Grand Rapids Players is excited to announce their alternative to our summer theatre camp. We’re inviting families to join us in our DIY program that features your home as the performance venue! I will be your virtual theatre coach and providing scripts, suggestions and ideas for costumes, props, casting, backdrops, directing, etc. 

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The program runs June1-Aug. 30. There will be 3 scripts available each month. Plan on approximately 2 weeks to organize things including10 rehearsals before your final dress rehearsal and then an opening night performance.  Our ultimate goal is to collect a recorded performance from everyone.  GRP will create a DVD and air them on GRP media outlets, and ICTV.

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There are a variety of creative ways to produce your play.  The most popular one is to assign characters and dress in costume.  Consider, also, creating a stage for a sock puppet or a stick puppet show where you create your characters on cardstock and mount them on a paint stick, dowel or ruler.  Or perhaps you could use a sheet screen and a bright light and create shadow puppets.  You could also do a reader’s theatre where everyone sits together and reads right from the script with minimal props and costume accessories. And, who knows?  You might even have an idea of your own.  Feel free!

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Once you get your script, I’ll be checking in on you to see how I can help.  You are welcome to connect with me, as well.  I’m here to coach, problem-solve, trouble-shoot and offer suggestions.

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Everyone in the family is welcome to be in the production.  Tweak it to work for your family. Add more lines. Add more characters.  Include some singing or dancing!  Change the genre from fairy tale to science fiction! Remember, “all the world’s a stage!” 

It is extremely important that you remember that this program is COVID19 compliant and is only for family-members that reside in your home.  It is not an invitation for others outside of your home to join in. (COVID-compliant care-giver facilities are welcome to participate.)  Please sign the agreement form, attached, to verify that you understand.  Also, please sign the waiver that will give us and ICTV to air the production for public viewing. And, last, but not least, please let me know which script you want to start with.  I’ll send it to you in pdf and you can print off copies for you and your cast.  I am so excited for you to get started.

(Download the Welcome Cover Letter here.)