Summer Rock Musical Theater Camp 2009

Created and run by Director Matt Okin and Production Stage Manager Mandy Decker, the Summer Rock Musical Theater camp 2009 is now open for enrollment, with a registration deadline of March 31st. Visit blackboxarts.com for a downloadable registration form or call 201- 567-6664. Designed for kids and teens at all skill levels, ages 9 to 19, the camp will be held entirely at The Jewish Center, 70 Sterling Place just West of Teaneck Road and near Route 4. Dates and times are 4 weeks, from June 24th - July 22nd; Mondays to Thursdays from 9:30 am – 4:00 pm and Fridays from 9:30 am – 2:00 pm. Performance dates are July 20th and 21st at 8:00 pm.

In this total immersion musical theater camp, participants live rock theater history hands-on every day with daily expert instruction in acting, voice and dance. Musical and scene selections are chosen to provide each camper with the best opportunity to grow and shine, and each part is a thread which becomes interwoven into one fantastic event finale at the end of 4 weeks of training and rehearsals. Kids and teens collaborate with acclaimed New York theater and music professionals as a te am to shape the overall script, which the cast begins improvising and improving on our very first day together. There is also plenty of chance for participants to get a satisfying taste of behind-the-scenes activity – in stage management, writing, set, light, and sound design. During the final week of camp we ramp up into a full pre-production schedule to tighten up the collaborative musical theater experience we will present. Our production will review rock history from the 1960's through today, and it will brilliantly show off the unique talents and skills of each camper and highlight the special, creative input each of them has brought to our summer's work.

The cost for JCoT Members is $1,450.00, and $1,650.00 for non-members. Lunch (dairy) and performance DVD are included. Open to kids and teens from all backgrounds, all progr amming and schedule is appropriate for religiously observant f amilies. There are limited scholarship funds and work-study opportunities available: please call to discuss at anytime at 201-567-6664.

Director Matt Okin taught for five seasons in the Performing Arts Department at the Kaplen JCC on the Palisades, and he currently teaches musical theater, acting, improv, and songwriting at the Bergen County High School of Jewish Studies, for The Apollo Theater's In-School Seminars throughout NYC, at The Moriah School in Englewood, and elsewhere. Production Stage Manager Mandy Decker has taught, directed, and stage managed young people at the Henry Street Settlement, the Children's Theatre, and the american F amily Theatre in NYC. Both Matt and Mandy teach collaborative theater workshops for varying ages and skills sets at their own Black Box Studios, now open throughout the year at The Jewish Center of Teaneck. They are also among those responsible for renown NYC-based theatrical productions including the new rock musical Soul Searching and the current All-Kids Rock Musical Workshop.

To find out more and to register for Summer Rock Musical Theater camp 2009, please contact Matt Okin immediately, as enrollment is limited. Call 201-567-6664 or email. Further details and forms at blackboxarts.com.