May 19, 2021
From Shakespeare on Zoom to the history of jazz, Oakland University Community Music’s virtual and in-person Summer Camps will offer something for everyone.
“Hosting camps each summer is an important way that the School of Music, Theatre and Dance connects with the community,” said Amy Hardison Tully, director of the School of Music, Theatre and Dance at OU. “With the pandemic, safety is still top priority and our virtual camps are a really fun way to interact with our OU students and faculty and learn some new and creative skills as well.”
Elizabeth Medvinsky, director of OU Community Music, agreed.
“While we are all anxiously anticipating returning to in-person experiences, this time is too valuable to the children to let it pass by,” she said. “In SMTD our camp experiences are aimed mostly towards high school students, a population that is looking at camps as not just a place to be for the summer but a way to learn about the opportunities that are available to them after high school. Now, more than ever, we want them to look forward and know that a future in the arts, and specifically the performing arts, is still an option even without current live performances.
“Interacting with our faculty and staff through virtual camps will give students the opportunity to experience the performing arts in a safe environment so that they will be prepared to continue in the artistic world that awaits them,” Medvinsky added.
This year’s virtual summer camps include:
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• Triple-Threat Theatre Camp (Virtual): A theatre “triple threat” is someone that excels at acting, singing and dancing. Work towards your “triple threat” status as the OU Department of Theatre presents a series of five daily acting/singing/dancing classes as well as a Meet the Faculty session. There will be an additional evening session with Broadway star Laura Michelle Kelly. Previous singing and dancing experience is required.
Dates/Times: June 21-25 (Mon.-Fri., 10 a.m. - 5:15 p.m.; additional Wed., 7-8:30 p.m.)
OU Theatre Faculty: Don Brewer, Anthony Guest, Amanda Lehman and Josh Young
Ages: High School
Cost: $275
Register here.
• Summer Shakespeare Camp - The Tempest (In-Person): The OU Department of Theatre presents a week of rehearsal sessions of Shakespeare’s The Tempest, culminating in a Zoom performance. The department will exercise non-traditional casting. Please email [email protected] for audition material and details. Participants will need to audition prior to registering. Please visit oakland.edu/smtd/communityengagement for more information.
Dates/Times: July 6-10 (9 a.m. - 3p.m.)
OU Theatre Faculty: Brandon A. Wright
Ages: High School
Cost: $275
Register here.
• Summer Brass Intensive (Virtual): Oakland University’s Summer Brass Intensive provides students with daily sessions on warm-ups and routine building, instrumental master classes, and presentations by world class brass artists. The culmination of the camp will feature a virtual video with members of the Oakland University Brass Band.
Dates/Times: July 26-29 (10 a.m. - 3 p.m.)
OU Music Faculty: Kenneth Kroesche and Jen Oliverio
Ages: High School and College
Cost: $50
Register here.
• OU Virtual Jazz Intensive (In-Person): The OU Virtual Jazz Intensive is a four-day event focused on topics such as the history and lineage of jazz, bridging classical to jazz, jazz as language and much more. The format will feature daily, 50-minute sessions that include listening, improvisation and virtual ensemble rehearsals.
Dates/Times: July 26-30 (Mon.-Thurs., 10 a.m. - 3:20 p.m.; Fri., 10 a.m. - 11:50 p.m.)
OU Jazz Faculty: Tim Blackmon, Marion Hayden, Scott Gwinell and Mark Kieme
Ages: High School Instrumentalists
Cost: $50
Register here.
“I am very excited to share this time with the young actors who will participate and looking forward to the final performance we will create,” said Brandon Wright, a special lecturer for theatre at OU and director of the Summer Shakespeare Camp. “Virtual performances present challenges of course, but we are approaching those challenges with curiosity rather than intimidation.
“I am especially glad to spend this time with students at such a pivotal moment in their lives where they are beginning to experience and understand the blend of student/artist that they can look forward to at the university level,” he added.
For more information about Oakland University Community Music, visit www.oakland.edu/community-engagement/communitymusic
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