Theater 360: Where Creativity Knows No Bounds!

Spotlight Performance Academy is delighted to once again pair with Freedom Hall to present Theater 360, a unique, immersive summer theater camp experience that seeks to help young artists grow their skills, build confidence, and make lasting memories. Students entering grades 3 through 8 are invited to explore different aspects of theater over the course of the popular one-week camp.

Improv will teach the art of thinking on their feet and mastering unscripted performance. There is no right or wrong in improv, only, “Yes, and?” In Stage Combat, students will learn how to present dramatic fight scenes in a believable but safe way. Scenic Design will teach how a bare stage can be transformed into a whole world with the mindful placement of set pieces and use of carefully considered backdrops. All characters have their own style, and students will have a chance to design, create and bring the costumes that embody these styles to life with Costume Design and Stage Makeup. Lighting Design will emphasize how light (and shadow!) can have a profound effect on how an audience perceives a story before the first line is uttered. Prop Building will allow students to get hands-on in crafting cool props that help tell a story in an exciting and meaningful way.

Research shows that being involved in theater can provide many benefits to students including improved social skills, an increase in confidence, nurturing self-expression, development of problem-solving skills, boosting independence, and more! Kate Wiersema, the artistic director of South of Chi Productions improv group and author of Playing to Learn: Using Improv in the K-8 Classroom is looking forward to a second year leading Theater 360. “This camp is a crash course in aspects of theater that most kids don’t get to experience first hand,” Wiersema explains. “We hope that Theater 360 will show kids all the ways theater can enrich their lives and that they will be inspired to continue exploring these passions at school, in their communities, and with Spotlight. I am excited to work with a very talented group of teachers who have years of experience. I know the kids are going to love it!”

Other instructors will include local creatives Nellsyn Hill, Doug Raffety, Marc Ryser, and Shelley Strasser.

Theater 360 will take place July 20 - 23, 2025 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. each day. Classes will meet at Freedom Hall (410 Lakewood Blvd Park Forest, IL).

Tuition is $325. Tuition assistance is available. Please contact Carrie Bonanotte at spotlightperformanceacademy@gmail.com to inquire about tuition assistance or about the opportunity to sponsor a student.

All students entering grades 3 through 8 are invited to register at https://www.spotlightperformanceacademy.org/classes

Don’t miss your chance to give your child the opportunity to experience the magic to be found in theater arts!