Theatre in the Park

One of our most popular camps! Kids Create and perform their own story!

Fairies? Zombies? Thieves? Scientists? Mermaids? Werewolves? Pirates? Villians? Royalty? Anything goes!!
Kids will create their own short theatrical production from script to performance! Campers will spend the week both inside and outside inventing their own story, developing characters and creating a script. They will also practice audition techniques. We will then work to make a set, props and costumes.  Students will get an introduction to all aspects of theater including stage and use of space, learning how to use their speaking voice, beginning acting techniques and a glimpse into all of the collaboration that goes on behind the scenes of a theatrical production.  There will be game playing to introduce concepts and art projects to create sets and props. We will use all of their fun creative ideas to create a show for parents.   We will showcase our hard work at the end of the week in a nearby park.  Bring your picnic blanket and charcuterie and enjoy a warm summer evening watching our original production. (Location TBD, rain plan indoors)
We are planning to hod this performance in a park. Note that the camp may be held at that park on Thursday and Friday of the camp week.

WAUKEE

June 24th-28th 9am-12pm Ages: Incoming 1st through 5th graders Cost: $175

July 15th-19th
9am-12pm Ages: Incoming 1st through 5th graders Cost: $175

ANKENY

JUNE 17-June 21st 9am-12pm Ages: Incoming 1st through 5th graders Cost: $175
Ages: Incoming 1st -5th

REGISTRATION for these camps will open through Waukee School District Registration Portal or Ankeny Community Ed both on Friday March 8th. We will provide the link below to register for each once it is available. (While the camp registers through Waukee and/or Ankeny, it is open to any student.)

All Wagner Summer Theater Campers are invited to our end of the summer showcase on Aug 2nd at Valley High Staplin Performing Arts Center. We will highlight the week and let the campers walk the stage!* We will also have performances from our some of our other summer camps!

*Attending the showcase is optional

UPDATE: REGISTRATION FOR WAUKEE WILL open at 6pm.

Taylor Swift Music Camp

Swifites are in full force and we are back with this hit camp for a second year!
Join us for a fun mornings of all things Taylor Swift! This camp will concentrate on Taylor's career, music and songwriting talents for the Middle School student. Students will work on writing skills, learn the beginning fundamentals of songwriting, have Taylor Swift sing alongs and maybe some choreo and movement. The goal is to have a song or start of a song by the end of the week. Basic Musical understanding and experience preferred. If you have a guitar feel free to bring it. Local singer/songwriter Eleanor Grace will be leading the class with area music teacher and vocalist Shannon Malloy. You can check out Eleanor’s music on spotify…listen to Lighthouse!

This will be a fun camp for older swifties to dive into her music!

WAUKEE

JUNE 17th-JUNE 21st 9am-12pm Ages: Incoming 6th through 8th graders Cost: $175

REGISTRATION for these camps will open through Waukee School District Registration Portal on Friday March 8th. We will provide the link below to register for once it is available. (While the camp registers through Waukee, it is open to any student.)

All Wagner Summer Theater Campers are invited to our end of the summer showcase on Aug 2nd at Valley High Staplin Performing Arts Center. We will highlight the camp and invite the campers to walk the stage. For campers able to attend we might put on a short perfomance too. *

*Attending the showcase is optional

UPDATE: Waukee regstration will start at 6pm

LIGHTS! CAMERA! AWESOME! Film Camp

CAPTAIN FAMOUS IS HEADED BACK FOR A SECOND YEAR!

Immerse yourself in the art of movie making with Chicago filmmaker Joseph R Lewis aka Captain Famous! Students will learn how to develop story ideas with small production teams while creating a short film in the genre of their choice. Students will practice shooting with cameras and using mics as well as editing techniques to create their movie! Each student will have opportunities in groups to write, shoot, direct and edit their own films. This camp will combine in class instruction with on-set production.

Our instructor is coming from Chicago. Joseph R. Lewis aka Captain Famous is an award winning moviemaker, an Emmy nominated TV producer, and a pioneering media educator. He has toured the country with his education programs and worked with over 200,000 kids. As Captain Famous (his superhero alter ego) he produces “Lights! Camera! Awesome!” - the only TV show in the universe made entirely by youth. He is also a PBS sponsored LearningMedia Digital Innovator. Joseph teaches Producing and is the Camp Director at Chicago Filmmakers and teaches Digital Filmmaking Camps for youth and teens.

WAUKEE

JUNE 10th-JUNE 14th 9am-4pm Ages: Incoming 6th through 8th graders Cost: $350

REGISTRATION for these camps will open through Waukee School District Registration Portal on Friday March 8th. We will provide the link below to register for once it is available. (While the camp registers through Waukee, it is open to any student.)

All Wagner Summer Theater Campers are invited to our end of the summer showcase on Aug 2nd at Valley High Staplin Performing Arts Center.* Campers will be invited to walk the stage as we highlight the camp. Other camps will also be doing short performances. We plan to Premier this camp’s movie at our showcase! Link will be sent out for viewing if you are not able to attend.

*Attending the showcase is optional

Update: Waukee Regstration opens at 6pm

Wizardry Camp at the Salisbury House!

This ultimate immersive camp continues to be one of our top camps!

PLEASE NOTE: we will be prioritizing first and second year students this summer to due high demand. We are working on fall/winter pop up programs for middle school and older.

The week will start with an invite to the student’s home to attend our Wizardry Camp. They will arrive at the platform on the Monday of the camp at 9am sharp to be transported to our favorite magical world!  The kids will experience sorting, playing Quidditch on the lawn, creating potions, magic, picking and making wands, daily owl deliveries and many other fun activities and surprises and special guests!  If you have a fan in your house, this will be an immersive experience that your child will always remember!

RETURNING CAMPERS will be considered second years and you will get to experience a few new fun surprises.

Check out our FB video for more information about the camp

REGISTRATION OPENS MARCH 8TH

JUNE 10th-14th SOLD OUT click here to be waitlisted 9am-12pm Ages: Incoming 3rd through 6th graders Cost: $250

JULY 8th- 12th SOLD OUT click here to be waitlisted
9am-12pm Ages: Incoming 3rd through 6th graders Cost: $250

All Wagner Summer Theater Campers are invited to our end of the summer showcase on Aug 11th at Valley High Staplin Performing Arts Center.* Campers will be invited to walk the stage and watch performances from our other summer camps!

*Attending the showcase is optional

PLEASE NOTE: we will be prioritizing first and second year students this summer to due high demand. We are working on fall/winter pop up programs for middle school and older.

IMPROV Comedy Games

Improv Comedy Games for Middle School. This class will introduce students to the concept of improv. They will learn games, techniques, and a put a twist on their improv performance. Teams will be created and the performance will consist of a little competitive improv fun! We will even have a referee! and work toward putting together a performance at the end of the week for parents!

WAUKEE

JUNE 17th-July 21st 9am-12pm Ages: Incoming 6th through 8th graders Cost: $175

REGISTRATION for these camps will open through Waukee School District Registration Portal on Friday March 8th. We will provide the link below to register for each once it is available. (While the camp registers through Waukee it is open to any student.)

All Wagner Summer Theater Campers are invited to our end of the summer showcase on Aug 2nd at Valley High Staplin Performing Arts Center. For campers able to attend we will put on a short perfomance. *

*Attending the showcase is optional

Update: waukee registration opens at 6pm

Middle School Theatre in the Park

Our very popular Theater in Park will be offering a middle school track! We have been offering this camp for a several years with a lot of repeat students who are aging out! This class will work with middle school themes to create a fun performance. Students will start to learn the fundamentals of structuring a play and early concepts around writing one. Students will drive the content, production, and artistic components that go into creating and writing a show.

WAUKEE

JULY 8th-July 12th 9am-12pm Ages: Incoming 6th through 6th graders Cost: $175

ANKENY

JULY 22nd-JULY 26th 9am-12pm Ages: Incoming 6th through 8th graders Cost: $175

REGISTRATION for these camps will open through Waukee School District Registration Portal or Ankeny Community Ed both on Friday March 8th. We will provide the link below to register for each once it is available. (While the camp registers through Waukee and/or Ankeny, it is open to any student.)

All Wagner Summer Theater Campers are invited to our end of the summer showcase on Aug 2nd at Valley High Staplin Performing Arts Center. We will highlight the week and let the campers walk the stage!* You can also watch short performances from our other camps!

*Attending the showcase is optional

Update: Waukee registration opens at 6pm

MASTERS BROADWAY MUSICAL INTENSIVE

MASTERS BROADWAY MUSICAL INTENSIVE with Chicago artists Kyle and Rylie featuring Broadway Actors joining for masters classes throughout the week.

We are bringing back this highly successful camp for a second year. We will be featuring the shows Come From Away and Beetlejuice. We will talking about common themes of two contrasting shows. Both are heavy in characterization so we will be leaning into the music. music theory and harmonies, character development and choreography. There will be a performance the final day of camp. Click here to see clips from last year!

Come From Away is the story of kindness and inclusiveness. It chronicles the real-life experiences of the people of Gander, Newfoundland, and the almost 7000 airline passengers who were forced to land there when US air space was closed on September 11, 2001.

Beetlejuice is a musical follows the story of a recently deceased couple who haunted their own house, a self-centered demon named Beetlejuice, and a teenage girl, who recently moved into the house with her dad and his new fiance and going through a rough patch after the death of her mother.

This is an audition only camp for young artists incoming 6th-9th grade. Audition info below.

AUDITION INFORMATION:
This will be an audition only camp. AUDITIONS DUE BY APRIL 15th. We may have call back auditions as well.
VIDEO AUDITION: Please submit a video of your student to lisa@wagnersummertheater.com. Please prepare 16 bars of a favorite song. Piano or karaoke track is fine for a backing track. Please intro your piece with your name, experience, and why you are interested in this camp. Please also share the name of your selection and why you chose it. If you don't have a piece prepared, singing Happy Birthday or another standard is an option. If you have interest but not sure about your experience, please submit anyway. We encourage everyone to submit!! This is a masters level camp but if you are excited about the content but at the beginning of your musical experience and knowledge that is ok. Students who submit and are selected will then be given a link to register. Auditions must be submitted by April 15th.

All students will be selected by May 1st and will have pre-work prior to attending the camp. This will consist of learning music through tutorials given by our instructors. The hope is that students come prepared to take the music and performance to the next level.

All Wagner Summer Theater Campers are invited to our end of the summer showcase on Aug 2nd at Valley High Staplin Performing Arts Center. We will highlight the week and let the campers walk the stage. THIS CAMP WILL PERFORM AT THE SHOWCASE IF ENOUGH STUDENTS ARE AVAILABLE. Attending the showcase is optional and not mandatory to attend the camp.

WAUKEE

JUNE 10th-JUNE 14th 9am-4pm Ages: Incoming 6th through 9thth graders Cost: $350

If selected REGISTRATION for this camps will open through Waukee School District Registration Portal on Friday March 8th. We will provide the link below to register for those selected once it is available. (While the camp registers through Waukee, it is open to any student.)

All Wagner Summer Theater Campers are invited to our end of the summer showcase on Aug 2nd at Valley High Staplin Performing Arts Center.* For campers able to attend we will put on an edited version of our camp perfomance at the showcase.

*Attending the showcase is optional

Once accepted a link with a code to register will be sent to you.

SWIFTIES Pop Star Camp!

Young students will get a chance to learn all about their favorite pop star...Taylor Swift! Dance, sing, and perform Taylor Swift songs all week. Students will also create their own persona as a popstar and get some introduction to muscial instruments and choreography. Students will work on a performance for parents at the end of the week. No previous music or vocal experience necessary.

WAUKEE

JUNE 17th-JUNE 21st 9am-12pm Ages: Incoming 2nd through 5th graders Cost: $175

JULY 22nd-JULY 26th 9am-12pm Ages: Incoming 2nd through 5th graders Cost: $175

ANKENY

JULY 15th-JULY 19th 9am-12pm Ages: Incoming 2nd through 5th graders Cost: $175

REGISTRATION for these camps will open through Waukee School District Registration Portal on Friday March 8thth. We will provide the link below to register for once it is available. (While the camp registers through Waukee, it is open to any student.)

All Wagner Summer Theater Campers are invited to our end of the summer showcase on Aug 2nd at Valley High Staplin Performing Arts Center. For campers able to attend we might put on a short perfomance. *

*Attending the showcase is optional

update: waukee registration opens at 6pm

Sports Broadcasting Camp!

This class will give students a glimpse into the world of all things sports broadcasting. Kids will get a first hand look at what all goes into a sports broadcast. Students will work with several area sports franchises and talent! The week kicks off with a visit from our own Scott Reister, sports announcer for KCCI Channel 8. We are also EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE the voice of the Cyclones, JOHN WALTERS, will not only visit but host us for a morning up in Ames!! Students will be bussed up to Ames to get an inside look at Jack Trice Stadium and Hilton Coliseum. John will share what all happens during a live broadcast. Don’t worry, we still will have the Iowa Cubs job shadow experience as well this week! Students will attend a night game and shadow different roles, meet players and put on a mock press conference. The week ends with participants creating their own sports broadcast! It’s busy high energy week but a TON of fun! Cost includes ticket to ball game and a bus ride.

REGISTRATION OPENS MARCH 8th - This camp is run through Waukee community ed. Link to register will be provided on our website.

JULY 22nd-26th 9am-12pm Game experience will be Thursday July 25th 6:38pm Ages: Incoming 5th through 9th grade Cost: $300

All Wagner Summer Theater Campers are invited to our end of the summer showcase on Aug 2nd at Valley Staplin Auditorium. We will highlight the week and let the campers walk the stage!* Students will also be able to watch short performances from some of our other summer camps!

*Attending the showcase is optional

update: waukee registeration at 6pm

Trolls Band Together: Muscial Theatre Camp

Exciting news as we welcome Des Moines native Napoleon Douglas to lead this camp! Napoleon has recently returned from NYC and is lending his artistic talents and experience to this camp. Napoleon has performed on many stages in NYC and was in the Lion King on a Disney Cruise ship!

Campers will have a blast singing and performing some of our favorite pop songs from Trolls Band Together.

Everyone gets a part! Those with more experience may have opportunity for bigger roles and mentorship of our newbies to theatre.

During this fun-filled week, campers will spend time playing drama games, sharpening their actor “tools”, and rehearsing our version of the show Trolls Band Together! Students will also go through an audition process to get cast in their role. We will touch on best practices for auditioning. On the final day, there will be a performance of a unique adaptation of the movie musical including the characters. The performance will include acting, singing, and movement to our favorite songs from the latest Trolls movie. This final performance will be on the stage at Valley Staplin Perfoming Arts Center. Note the performance will be part of our end of summer showcase which goes from 4:00-6:00 on Friday Aug 2nd.

Focus of Camp:
• Learn fun song-and-dance numbers from TROLLS BAND TOGETHER
• Learn about props and costumes. (This year we are running a concurrent tech camp to create some set pieces!)
• Perform in a final showcase for family and friends.

Workshops around:
Character development
Vocal techniques

July 29th-Aug 2nd 9am-4pm Ages: Incoming 2nd through 8th grade Cost: $300 Location: Valley High Staplin Performing Arts Center

Registration open March 8th

Technical Theatre Camp

This year we are offering our first tech camp! Campers will learn everything that happens behind the scenes to make a show successful.

The addition of sets, lights, and sounds, are equally important to the artistry of any show!

This camp will run concurrent with our Trolls Band Together Musical Theatre camp. Campers will work behind the scenes to add more set design etc to our performance on Friday of that week . Campers will be needed for the performance as they help behind the scenes. Note the performance will be part of our end of summer showcase which goes from 4:00-6:00 on Friday Aug 2nd.

July 29th-Aug 2nd 9am-4pm Ages: Incoming 6th through 9th grade Cost: $300 Location: Valley High Staplin Performing Arts Center

Registration opens March 8th

SNKRS CAMP! SHOE DESIGN CAMP

This is a NEW and FUN camp for your sneaker head. We have a VERY exciting agenda with special guests from across the country joining us virtually.

We are beyond ecstatic to announce the addition of RAMI THE ICON (famous sneaker YouTuber with over 1.5M followers) will be joining us virutally from CoolKicks in LA the week of the camp! 

We also JUST confirmed Colin Behr, ISU grad. He is a Sr. product Designer for Nike and is on the Jordan special projects and collaborations team....did I say Travis Scott??! 

Our host for the week will be local sneaker lover Claude Wilkins! He is local store owner of Sole Nest a Nike Resale shop.   

Students will be designing and marketing their own shoes!  

Students will learn about marketing, creating and investing in the sneaker re-sale business. At the end of the week they will be pitching their own brand/creation/concepts/collabs to parents with their shoe design.

WAUKEE

June 24th-28th 9am-12pm Ages: Incoming 6th through 9th graders Cost: $250

ANKENY*
At this time this camp will be only held in Waukee. If you would like updates if we add this camp to Ankeny- please let us know here.

REGISTRATION OPENS MARCH 8th - This camp is run through Waukee community ed. Link to register will be provided on our website.

UPDATE: Waukee registration opens at 6pm

Barbie Girl Camp

This is a NEW camp based on the themes of the hit move Barbie! Young campers will create their own Barbie world and discover which Barbie most represents them. Don’t have one? Then you can create your own Barbie themed after you! Camp will consist of fashion, barbie theme cupake decorating, designing a barbie dream house, etiquette class, and discussing the joys of growing up as a young lady and building confidence

WAUKEE

June 10th-14th 9am-12pm Ages: Incoming 2nd through 5th grade Cost: $175

ANKENY
JULY 8th-July 12th 9am-12pm Ages: Incoming 2nd through 5th grade Cost: $175

REGISTRATION OPENS MARCH 8th - This camp is run through Waukee and Ankeny community ed. Links to register will be provided on our website.

Update: waukee registration opens at 6pm

REVAMPED: Barbie World Camp
Mom’s will join daughters only on the LAST day. Mom’s will not be joining daily:)

This is a NEW camp based on the themes of the hit move Barbie! Middle school campers will have fun being creative and diving into some of the themes Barbie wrestles with during the movie. These may include living up to expectiations and exploring our purpose. We will be talking about how to navigate middle school challenges, etiquette, beauty and more!

We thought it would also be fun to include the relationship with America Ferrera in the movie and her daughter. Mom’s will be invited each day to join the last hour on Friday for fun activity together with their daughters! Middle school can be a challenging time in life and sometimes you just need to remember to have some mother/daughter fun together:)

The week will include fashion, beauty, etiquette, managing friendships, singing (no you don’t have to be good:) and fun skits/ improv around middle school life.

WAUKEE

June 24th-28th 9am-12pm Ages: Incoming 6th through 8th grade Cost: $175

ANKENY
JULY 15th-July 19th 9am-12pm Ages: Incoming 6th through 8th grade Cost: $175
Ages: Incoming 6th -8th

REGISTRATION OPENS MARCH 8th - This camp is run through Waukee and Ankeny community ed. Links to register will be provided on our website.

UPDATE: WAUKEE REGISTRATION OPENS AT 6pm

Improv Sketch Comedy Writing Camp

This is a NEW camp with Chicago improv writer Rylie. She will be leading an afternoon camp on sketch comedy writing. Think Saturday Night Live (keeping it clean for middle schoolers of course!). Rylie has recently written for Second City, Chicago’s premier improv company and starting point for many Saturday Night Live actors and comedians. Students will work in groups creating and writing sketch comedy to be performed for parents on Friday. of the camp.

WAUKEE

June 17th-21st 1:00am-4:00pm Ages: Incoming 6th through 9th graders Cost: $175

REGISTRATION for these camps will open through Waukee School District Registration Portal on Friday March 8th. We will provide the link below to register for each once it is available. (While the camp registers through Waukee it is open to any student.)

All Wagner Summer Theater Campers are invited to our end of the summer showcase on Aug 2nd at Valley High Staplin Performing Arts Center. For campers able to attend we will put on a short perfomance. *

*Attending the showcase is optional

Update: Waukee Registration will open at 6pm