Axe ’Em, Jacks!
NACOGDOCHES, Texas – Registration is still open for Junior Jacks Theatre Camp at Stephen F. Austin State University. The popular two-week School of Theatre camp is designed for children entering third through ninth grades. This year’s camp is scheduled for Monday, Aug. 6, through Saturday, Aug. 18. Registration deadline is July 27.
Junior Jacks was designed as a day-camp version of the highly successful High School Summer Theatre Workshop at SFA, according to Carolyn Conn, associate professor of theatre at SFA and the camp’s director. The fun and exciting summer camp, offered in two age groups, fills quickly, and Conn suggested parents register their children early.
“We have children representing all local and nearby schools as well as many home schoolers,” Conn said. “There are also many repeat campers. Many Junior Jacks ‘graduates’ go on to attend the High School Summer Theatre Workshop at SFA. We also have former Junior Jack/High School Workshop participants who become theatre majors at SFA. The camp is a great introduction to what we offer in the School of Theatre.”
This year’s camp has expanded its capacity, so more students will have an opportunity to participate, Conn said.
“As the School of Theatre’s teacher certification program grows and has incorporated the camp into its ‘Directing for the Youth’ course, we have a large number of student directors available to work with the children,” she said. “Additional teachers mean we have room for additional campers! So we are aiming for a 150-percent increase in campers this year.”
Junior Jacks is a community outreach opportunity designed to not only introduce children to theatre, but it also allows the School of Theatre’s teacher certification students to work with students who are younger than high school age. Junior Jacks campers play theatre games and rehearse plays that will be performed at the camp’s conclusion.
There will be a group of third through sixth graders and a group of seventh through ninth graders meeting from 9 a.m. to noon and another set of groups meeting from 1 to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
“We are aware that the NISD middle school band practice will conflict with afternoons, so they can be in a morning group, and we will place all elementary students who go back to school on the 15th into one group, so they can work out evening rehearsals on the 15th through the 17th,” Conn explained.
Play performances will be on Saturday, Aug. 18, in Room 160 in the Wright Music Building on the SFA campus. Times are to be determined.
Registration cost is $75 per student and $50 for each additional sibling within a single family. Needs-based scholarships may be available. More information and a registration form can be found at theatre.sfasu.edu, or contact Conn at (936) 468-1031 or conncs@sfasu.edu.