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Comprehensive Musical Theatre Camp for Teens Entering Grades 7-12
July 12-26, 2008

SummerStars is a two-week comprehensive residential and commuter program for gifted and talented teens. Taught by professional actors, directors, choreographers, and musicians, the program encompasses many aspects of theatrical production focusing on acting, singing, and dancing. This program concludes with a full musical production of Little Shop of Horrors, staged and performed entirely by participants for family, friends, and the public on the final Saturday. Mornings of the program find the students rotating among classes in acting styles, techniques, music, and movement. Afternoons are devoted to rehearsals, set building, costuming, and choreography. Amid all the daily activity, the students will find time to attend a professional production at one of the prestigious venues in the Fort-Worth /Dallas area. The Session opens and closes with a party. If you are looking for an intense theatre environment, consider CATS this summer! 

Pursue Your Dreams…

The Creative Arts Theatre & School, CATS, is the place to be if you dream of being on the stage. Even if you’ve never stepped on the stage before, never built a set, or designed lights and sound…CATS puts you on stage and behind the scenes…

The Organization

CATS was founded in 1977 as a nonprofit cultural arts institute. Its purpose is to provide high quality training in the performing arts for young people, and give them the chance to perform in productions suitable for family audiences. CATS runs year-round with classes after school and daytime classes during the summer.

SummerStars History

This special comprehensive theatre program for talented and gifted students began in 1980 with the cosponsorship of the Gifted Students Institute. Better known as the CATS SummerStars, this program encompasses all aspects of theatre production from the intricacies of set and lighting design, costuming and theatrical make-up, to the fundamentals of dramatic interpretation, musical theatre, and improvisation. Each year students work on a certain musical that is staged and performed entirely by students.

SummerStars Goals

CATS is proud to be associated with the Duke University Talent Identification Program through our 26th Comprehensive Theatre Workshop for the Gifted and Talented. The SummerStars program emphasizes confidence-building exercises, problems solving skills, and communication enhancement techniques, all designed to promote positive social and self-awareness, as well as appreciation for the arts. This intense and challenging workshop caters to the entire student, stimulating the imagination as well as the intellect.

Work with the professionals
During the two-week session students will work with instructors who are degreed and/or professional actors, directors, choreographers, musicians, technicians and educators. These instructors will work with students in acting styles and techniques, improvisation, vocal projection, singing, dance/stage movement and technical theatre.

A Day as a Summer Star
Morning hours of the first week are dedicated to classes in acting, music & dance, while afternoons are devoted to production, rehearsal, sets and props, costuming, and choreography. Each day you will have the opportunity to advance your acting skills, stage presence, poise, and gain a well rounded appreciation for the arts.

You Bring the Talent…

Auditions for this year production, Little Shop of Horrors, will be conducted on Sunday, July 13 from 1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. All students need to prepare a song for the audition and bring a cassette tape or CD with accompaniment. We suggest upbeat and/or Broadway show tune that will show your vocal range. But it is most important that you sing something comfortable for you. Dance combinations will also be given, so bring comfortable clothes and shoes that allow you to move.

We Give You Space…

The CATS facility offers a professional laboratory in which you may experiment. It includes a 400 seat theatre, three dance studios, acting studios, light & sound booth, costume shop, sound studio, dressing rooms, and kitchen.

Have Fun With Friends…

We give you the time for social interaction as well. The session opens and closes with a party. We will be attending a professional play or musical at a prestigious venue in the Fort Worth/ Dallas area.

Supervision

From 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. students will be in classes and rehearsals on the CATS premises and supervised by the CATS staff. After 5:30 p.m. and during free time on weekends, students will be in the care of their families and host families.

Selection Criteria

CATS encourages students with interests in all areas – from general intellectual ability and specific academic aptitude, to creative or productive thinking, visual and performing arts, and leadership ability. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, or ethnic origin.

Host Families

Enrollment preferences will be given to Arlington area applicants hosting two or more out-of-town students. Each host applicant will be required to provide the following for visiting students: transportation to and from CATS; breakfast, a sack lunch, and dinner; a potluck dish for the opening and closing parties; proper supervision.

Please refer to the forms enclosed for additional information. Feel free to call with any questions you might have. We look forward to an exciting summer workshop with your exceptional students!

Each application should include:

• General Application form with school testscores verifying the eligibility of new and returning students accompanied by a nonrefundable deposit (refunded only if student is not accepted or if the workshop is full);
• One page letter, submitted by students, telling why they wish to attend the SummerStars program;
• The teacher recommendation form.

Teacher Recommendation (PDF format) forms are available for download.
SUMMERSTARS Printable Registration Form. They may be duplicated as needed.

Enrollment preference will be given to Arlington area applicants hosting two or more out-of-town students.

Office Hours:
Monday - Friday
10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Summer Office Hours: Monday - Friday
9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
June 5 thru Aug. 18

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Phone: (817) 861-2287 :: Metro: (817) 265-8512 :: Fax:(817) 274-0793