While fall may be just around the corner, there is plenty of summer still to be enjoyed at the South Arkansas Arts Center! In the last few weeks of summer vacation, SAAC will host two day-camps for aspiring dancers and performers, both hosted by Arts Academy alumni. July 29 through August 2, Bekah Gunter Cartwright will host Musical Theatre Dance Camp, and Stephanie Lowrey and Cami Lowrey will return to SAAC August 5-8 for Ballet Camp.
Musical Theatre Dance Camp • Cartwright, now a senior at Williams Baptist College, is thrilled to be dancing on stage at SAAC again. “I began dancing at ten years old in the SAAC ballet program, and I continued with it until I graduated high school,” she said. “During those years, I learned how to choreograph and was given my first opportunity as a choreographer for children’s musicals at age thirteen. Since then, I have choreographed over ten musicals and productions within ten years as well as several ballets.”
In this year’s musical theatre dance camp, students will be immersed in the world of Oz as they tell the origin story of the Wicked Witch of the West through the songs of “Wicked.” By combining different styles of dance, students will learn both basic steps that could be expected of them at their next audition and combinations that will challenge and build their repertoire. In addition to learning technique, students will also have the opportunity to sharpen their acting skills as they portray different characters through dance.
Musical Theatre Dance Camp sessions will be held Monday-Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and Friday until a parent showcase at 6:00 p.m. Bring a lunch each day. Tuition is $120, and students can register online.
Ballet SR and JR Camp • Mother-daughter duo Stephanie Lowrey and Cami Lowrey were SAAC’s beloved ballet team for many years, and we are excited to welcome them back into the studio this summer. This year, they will mount a “Where the Wild Things Are” inspired ballet August 5-8.
Cami and Stephanie invite dancers new and old to jump into the theatrical side of ballet. “SAAC Ballet Camps offer the unique opportunity to take not only classical ballet classes to develop technique, but also perform in an original mini-ballet, to help dancers cultivate expression and artistry,” says Stephanie. “Dancers will be involved in all aspects of the production including costume design, set construction, and developing choreography.”
Former SAAC dancers and dancers from all studios are welcome at Ballet Camp for the summer show, but no prior experience is required. Monday through Wednesday, camp will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. for dancers entering 6th grade through young adult, and 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. for dancers entering 1st through 5th grade. Older dancers who can work independently may bring a lunch and work on set and costumes during the afternoon. On Thursday, all dancers will stay through the 6:00 p.m. showcase performance. Tuition is $120, and students can register online.