Summer Camp

Class Descriptions

PLAYMAKER CAMP:  LUNA — Ages 7 – 12

How do you make, and hold on to, a good friend?  Soledad is the child of migrant farm workers. She goes where her family goes and it can be a struggle to make new friends.  The imaginative Soledad finds solace in books, and in her constant companion Luna — the moon — who follows her wherever she goes.  Campers will learn the fundamentals of Filament Theatre’s playmaking techniques, share their own favorite friendship tales, and go to the park for lunch.  Luna’s director Alejandro Tey leads this camp, and campers’ ideas will be integrated into the professional production. By the end of the week, they’ll be ready to share original stories featuring Soledad, her new friends from school, and her old friend Luna.  Like Soledad, they’ll learn from new friends that “taking risks is hard to do, but taking risks builds courage too.”

Family and friends are invited to a special performance on the last Friday of camp at 2:30pm.  Come back to see the show:  Luna opens September 21, 2019 at Filament Theatre.

PLAYMAKER CAMP: LITTLE BEE– Ages 5 – 8

What’s the buzzzzzzz? If you love the great outdoors AND love to tell stories, this camp is for you!  Filament is bee-lighted to join with Brushwood Arts Center to make a new play inspired by the critters that make the flowers grow!  Through conversations with community leaders, young people will create an original story that asks big questions about the natural world and poses positive solutions. Campers will learn the fundamentals of Filament Theatre’s playmaking techniques and go to the park for field work.  They’ll work with Filament teaching artists and the play’s director to explore important themes, and contribute to the professional production. By the end of the week, they’ll be ready to share their original stories inspired by nature’s perfect little pollinators.

Family and friends are invited to a special performance on the last Friday of camp at 12pm.  Come back to see the show:  Little Bee opens Spring 2020.

PLAYMAKER CAMP: HOW TO HERO– Ages 9 – 12

Want to work with a playwright and director on a brand new script before it has its world-premiere production? In workshops and conversations with director Julie Ritchey and playwright Georgette Kelly, campers will learn how to tackle a script in development.  Exploring classic mythology, questions about growing up, and world of the subway system, How to Hero (or the Subway Play) is an epic adventure for older campers.  Campers will learn the fundamentals of Filament Theatre’s playmaking techniques, go to the park for lunch, analyze the Hero’s Journey, complete script analysis, and work with Filament teaching artists to create original stories featuring the daring heroes of the subway system! By the end of the week, they’ll be ready to share both their original work, and some ‘sneak-peek’ scenes from How to Hero.  

Family and friends are invited to a special performance on the last Friday of camp at 2:30pm. Come back to see the show:  How to Hero (or the Subway Play) opens Spring 2020.

FILAMENT YOUTH ARTIST COALITION– Ages 7 – 12

“Be the change you wish to see in the world.”  But how?  

In this camp, campers will create an original piece of theatre that asks big questions and poses positive solutions.  After exploring their worlds through drama and creative play, the ensemble will work together to tackle problems they’d like to solve, and to find tangible, positive ways to improve their communities.  In conversations with local leaders and artists, young people will gain a deeper understanding of the ways theatre can be used to build community and start conversations.

Filament teaching artist Molly Bunder will support everyone in creating their own dialogue, characters, stories, costumes, and ultimately their own play based upon the subjects of their choosing.  Participants will grow their skills in creative problem solving, teamwork, confident public speaking, speaking directly to the audience, community engagement, and more — all while creating something fun that makes them proud! The Filament Youth Artist Coalition will create a performance for family and friends, and a plan for including their ideas in the next season of theatre at Filament.  

A pilot project of the youth-led Filament Advisory Council.

About the Teachers

Classes will be lead by professional teaching artists and members Filament’s Resident Artists who have extensive teaching credits in performing arts training programs, schools and after school programs. Teaching affiliations include: The Actors Gymnasium (Evanston), District 65 after school programs, CPS programs, Emerald City Theater camps, Barrel of Monkeys, National High School Institute Theatre Arts Pre-College training, and more!

Cost per Camper

One Week Sessions (half day): $155*

One Week Sessions: $230*

Two Week Sessions: $455*

Payment Information:
Full payment is due when registering online. If you would like to arrange a payment plan, please call (773) 270-1660 or email christian@filamenttheatre.org.

Sibling Discounts:
Save $50 when registering two children! Use the Promotional Code SIBLINGS.

*Please note, there is a $5 online registration fee. Registration deadline is 3 weeks prior to the first class of each session. 

Referrals

Filament is offering a refer & receive program for our 2018 camp. If you refer another parent/guardian (who has not previously registered their child for a class or camp), both you and that parent will receive a $25 gift certificate to a future filament class or performance!

CONDITIONS:

• To receive a referral credit, the new patron must type your name when initially registering online in response to the question: “How did you hear about camp?”
• You can receive up to 3 referrals per session per family.
• Gift certificates will be valid for up to one year from receipt. Specific production exclusions may apply.
• You do not need to have a student registered for class to participate.

Discounts

Save $50 when registering siblings for the same session by using promotion code SIBLINGS when completing payment online.

Kids:

“We got to make up our own play and it was fun to use my imagination and work with other kids. My teacher was nice, funny and she encouraged us in learning how to act and make the best play.” – Brynn M.

Parents:

“We love Filament performances for the sheer talent of their cast, the wonderful, ingenious set design and for their creativity and imagination, and that comes through in their classes too. Our daughter LOVED her class and was so excited to attend every week. The kids learned how to use their own creativity to inspire a one-of-a-kind performance. We can’t wait for the next session!” – Lori M.

From our teachers: