- Events
- THEATER IN A BOX
THEATER IN A BOX
Write, create, direct, and perform!
In this virtual camp for elementary school students, kids can do it all - write, create, direct, and perform a story on the small stage using our theater in a box!
We will start by talking about the important parts of a story, like conflict, plot, and setting, and get into how plays work by using dialogue and stage directions to provide a map to the work of the play. Next, we will make scripts and develop and create puppet characters using materials from the theater box mailed to your house. Participants will stage their play and record it on a phone or iPad to be debuted through an end-of-camp sharing.
HOW THE CLASS WILL BE STRUCTURED ONLINE
Sections are available for students in grades 1-2 and grades 3-4. We ask that a parent or other adult help your child log on each day and be readily available should your child need additional assistance with technology.
Students will also be asked to complete daily engagement activities that may require an additional 20-30 minutes to outside of group camp time, such as designing their theater sets and puppets, writing a script and staging their play!
Please register at least 6 business days before the start of your session so that camp materials may be mailed to you in time for the first meeting. If you are registering inside that window, please contact Sara Perez using the information at the bottom of this page.
Grades 1-2
Section A: June 15-19; 9 AM daily (Approximately 35-40 minutes in length)
Grades 3-4
Section A: June 22-26; 10 AM daily (Approximately 40-50 minutes in length)
Section B: June 29-July 3; 10 AM daily (Approximately 40-50 minutes in length)
*Additional sections may be added as demand warrants.
We will be using Zoom. To successfully participate, you will need a laptop, tablet, smart phone or computer with a webcam (internal or external) and reliable internet connection. Please reach out to us if you have any questions or concerns about your ability to participate due to a lack of access to technology.
We also ask that Theater in a Box participants have easy access to crayons, colored pencils, or markers, as well as age-appropriate scissors. All other materials will be mailed to you as part of your Theater in a Box kit.
Grades 1-2:
This class carries a registration fee of $50.
Grades 3-4:
This class carries a registration fee of $60.
Please check out details on our SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM if financial assistance is needed to allow you to participate.
Scholarship applications should be submitted BEFORE registering.
Cancellation:
In the event that you are no longer able to participate, please submit notice of your cancellation to education@desmoinesperformingarts.org.
Written notice of cancellation must be received two weeks prior to the first date of your camp or class in order for a refund to be issued. Refunded tuition will be minus a 6% processing fee to cover expenses associated with your original booking.
If a cancellation is submitted less than two weeks prior to the camp or class start date, a refund will only be issued if we are able to move a waitlisted student into the vacated spot.
Low enrollment:
Des Moines Performing Arts reserves the right to cancel classes and camps due to insufficient enrollment without incurring obligation. If a class or camp is canceled by Des Moines Performing Arts, you are entitled to a full tuition refund.
If your preferred session is full, please add your name to our wait list by clicking HERE and indicate your child's age and which session(s) you are interested in attending. We will contact you if a space becomes available or if additional sessions open in July.
Questions?
For questions about camp content or structure, contact our camp coordinator Sara Perez at 515-664-1469 or SaraP@DMPA.org.
Questions may also be emailed to Education@DMPA.org.