2016 Summer Art Camps For Kids Throughout The Hamptons

School is out, but that doesn’t mean arts education is taking a vacation.

All throughout the Hamptons, programs are being offered to children and teens who have an interest in the arts. Some programs invite kids to paint, some allow kids to act on the stage, and some teach kids about the wide world of music. This summer season offers a wide variety of camps to continue their arts education outside the classroom.

Both children and teenagers can be a part of acting and theater programs held in the summer. Some work on improvisation skills while others craft their singing, but it all adds to building skills used to help kids grow.

“Our camps are truly transformative,” said Julienne Penza-Boone, the Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center’s Arts Academy director. “As our campers learn arts skills from professionals, they also develop life skills: confidence, self-expression, creativity, and empathy all along the way.”

For Ava Locks, the director of education at the Bay Street Theater, there’s a special element to these programs that she’s noticed over the years.

“Our programs are half-days instead of full days, that way people don’t have to give up their whole summers,” Ms. Locks said. “But a real special thing is when the kids make friends within the program and then when they get picked up they say, ‘OK, see you later at the beach,’ because they go hang out together after class.”

Check out the numerous art camps available to join this summer:

Stages, A Children’s Theatre Workshop, Inc. is offering its annual Summer Musical Theater Camp for its 22nd season at the Southampton Town Recreation Center. The camp is open to children age 8 to 16 who love acting, singing and dancing. Those looking to meet other kids their age who are as passionate as they are about theater and looking to hone their craft are welcome to join for one to four weeks: Week 1 is from July 11 to 15, Week 2 is from July 18 to 22, Week 3 is from August 8 to 12 and Week 4 is from August 15 to 19. Call director Helene Leonard at 631-329-1420, email at info@stagesworkshop.org or visit stagesworkshop.org for more information

The Southampton Cultural Center will host the Take Two Film Academy for the weeks of July 18 and July 25. Kids in third to ninth grade will work together to write, act, shoot and edit their own short films with professional equipment. At the end of each week, one student team’s film will be submitted to film festivals. Workshops occur from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and cost $1,650 per student. Call 917-546-6816 or visit taketwofilmacademy.com.

The Bridgehampton Community House is the home of the East Hampton Art & Theater Camp. Kids age 8 to 14 will learn about elements of art and theater including music, improv, dance, acting and costume design. There are two sessions available, each lasting two weeks: July 18 to 29, and August 1 to 12. The price is $1,650 per week. Classes run Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Call 917-922-0895 or email info@easthamptonarts.com.

Hudson Music Studios is offering two summer programs for those interested in performing arts: Rock Camp and Dance Intensive. Rock Camp offers kids the chance to learn rock ’n’ roll styles, improvisation, music reading and composition, music theory and musical performance. Attendees will learn from teachers and recording artists who are faculty at Berklee College of Music, Rutgers University, St. Francis College and other esteemed colleges. Dance Intensive offers kids the chance to learn and hone their craft in three areas of dance: ballet, modern/contemporary and hip-hop. Attendees will learn from professional choreographers and prepare for a performance at the end of each week. Both programs will be offered at Bridgehampton School from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Both programs are offered for two weeks in July: Rock Camp on the weeks of July 18 and July 25, and Dance Intensive on the weeks of July 15 and July 22. Rock Camp is offered for morning, afternoon or full-day sessions. Prices for half-day sessions all week are $695 and prices for full-day sessions all week are $849. Call 908-230-6079 to register or email shudson286@earthklink.net for more information.

International Music Sessions will host a summer curriculum at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in East Hampton. Kids in grade 2 through 12 can apply to learn about world music, music composition, history of music, stage etiquette and yoga. Attendees will work with professionals in music and be offered professional equipment to use. Classes run weekdays from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on the weeks of August 1 and August 8. Classes cost $2,000 per child along with an $80 registration fee. Go to imusicsessions.org/apply/ to register.

The Bay Street Theater in Sag Harbor is offering three summer camps for kids interested in performing on the stage. My Life: The Musical is a five-day program giving kids age 9 to 12 the chance to learn more about acting, singing, dancing and performing musical theater. The program is taught by professional actor, singer, director and performing arts educator Valerie diLorenzo and will culminate in a performance by the students on the Friday the program ends. The cost is $470 per child for one week, $850 for two weeks and $1,000 for three weeks. This program will be offered for the weeks of July 11, August 15 and August 22.

Puppet Power Camp allows kids age 4 to 7 to learn about puppetry styles and how to build their own puppets, sets and scenery. The kids will then perform their own puppet show at the end of the week. This program runs from July 18 through July 22 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The cost is $470 per child.

Shakespeare Mini Mainstage allows kids age 7 to 9 to participate in their own productions of two Shakespeare classics: “Romeo and Juliet” and “The Tempest.” “Romeo and Juliet” will be taught on the week of July 25 by director/producer Mary Powers and “The Tempest” will be taught on the week of August 8 by actor/director/performing arts educator Jenna Mate. Both camps run from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and cost $470 per child for one week and $850 per child for two weeks. Go baystreet.org/education/kids-camps or call 631-725-0818 for more information

The Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center is offering programs for kids looking to engage in performing arts over the summer.

Two of their Musical Theatre Camp programs will be offered to kids age 6 to 14. The first will run through the week of July 11, with campers rehearsing and performing a full-scale version of “The Jungle Book.” Camp runs Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Friday from 1 to 8:30 p.m. with the performance happening at 7 p.m.

The second session will run through the week of August 8 and have campers rehearse and perform a full-scale production of “Gulliver’s Travels.” Camp runs Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Friday from 1 to 8:30 p.m. with the performance at 7 p.m.

Camp Broadway will also be available for youth age 10 to 17 looking to follow their passion for musical theater. Attendees will rehearse and put on a performance of “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying” and take a field trip into New York City to see a performance and Q&A with the cast of “Shuffle Along.” Camp Broadway runs from July 18 through July 22, Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuition is $750 per camper.

Tween Theatre Troupe, for kids age 9 to 11, runs from August 1 through August 5 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuition is $450 per kid.

Visit whbpac.org/events/category/arts-academy/classes-camps/ or call 631-288-1500 for more information.

The Guild Hall in East Hampton will host two versions of the Summer Student Film Workshop: one for age 8 to 11 and one for age 12 to 15. Both workshops will work with film professionals and special guests to create their own stories using digital video. Attendees will learn about development, writing, acting, directing, producing and editing video. The Workshop runs July 18 through July 22, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. for age 8 to 11 and then from 2 to 5 p.m. for age 12 to 15. Age 8 to 11 cost $300 per attendee ($290 for Guild Hall members) and age 12 to 15 cost $400 per attendee ($390 for Guild Hall members). To register and for more information, call Jennifer Brondo at 631-324-0806, extension 25.

The Parrish Art Museum in Water Mill will host Art Camp, Stop Motion Animation Camp and the Artful Dance Camp. The Artful Dance Camp is for those age 8 and up looking to learn more about the art of dance. Attendees will work with a process used by multi-media dance artist Jonah Bokaer to create dances that respond to the design, art and sounds of the museum. The Artful Dance Camp will run from August 15 through August 19 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Register at 327.blackbaudhosting.com/327/Artful-Dance-Camp or call 631-283-2118, extension 130.

The Children’s Museum of the East End in Bridgehampton is hosting the Summer Kids Club for kids age 3 and 4. Attendees will participate in a variety of activities including arts, music and movement, free play, group activities and movement and music. Session 1 of the Summer Kids Club runs Monday through Friday from 9:15 a.m. to noon starting July 4th through July 29. Session 2 runs the same hours and days from August 1 through August 26. Price is $625 per week or $2,325 for one session ($575 per week or $2,100 for one session for museum members). Call 631-537-8250 to register or go to cmee.org for more information

Montauk Youth Theater Camp is offering kids age 8 to 13 the chance to participate in two weeks of theater fun. From July 18 to 29, the Montauk School will offer kids the chance to participate in improv, theater games, and skits from 10 a.m. to noon. To reserve a spot, email montaukyouth@gmail.com and pay $200 per child.

The Hamptons International Film Festival is offering their Student Summer Filmmaking Workshops. Kids ages 8 to 15 will have the chance to make their own short films and show them to family and friends. Created by Anne Chaisson, an independent film producer and HIFF’s executive director, students will learn about screenwriting, directing, acting, producing, and editing from hands-on experience and education from professionals. Kids age 8 to 11 will work in the Introduction to Filmmaking course while kids age 12 to 15 will work in the “Hands-On Filmmaking” course. The workshops will be offered in two locations: Guild Hall in East Hampton from July 18 through July 22 and at Southampton Arts Center from July 25 through July 29. Email marissa@hamptonsfilmfest.org for more information and to register.