INFORMATION & DETAILS:
We are thrilled to announce our 6TH ANNUAL MUSICAL THEATER SUMMER CAMP that offers artists a unique experience — different than our regular programming. This intensive allows artists to not only dive into choreography on a deeper level, but also exposes them to other elements of musical theater that we don’t usually get to explore in our weekly musical theater classes.
This year’s camp is entitled “From Screen To Stage” & so we will be exploring just that — musicals that started on the big screen & then made their way onto the Broadway stage.
We are excited to welcome back Laura Fremont, our tap instructor, who will be teaching for the entire week! She first introduced tap to our summer camp back in 2023 & this year will be formally incorporating tap into our repertoire & showcase!
As usual we also welcome back our incredible residential art therapist Amber L. Cromwell who will be working with artists on Friday 6/27 to create art installations that will turn into an interactive art gallery for our audience to explore at the showcase on Friday afternoon.
& of course we will join together for another epic round of karaoke.
LOCATION:
Impact Dance Center - Cypress
4923 Lincoln Ave.
Cypress, CA 90630
AGES 7 & UP
COST: $395
#areyoudown
DROP OFF / PICK UP TIMES
The times below are approximate times that will become solidified & finalized as we move closer to our start date. Times should not shift more than 30 minutes in either direction.
Monday 6/23: Approx 9:00am - 3:15pm
Please Note: We will hold a short parent meeting at the end of camp on Monday.
Wednesday 6/25: Approx 9:00am - 3:30pm
Friday 6/27: Approx 9:00am - 4:00pm
Showcase: Friday will end with a showcase & all are welcome! We encourage you to invite family & friends for what will be a casual yet festive celebration! Read below for all surrounding details.
WHAT TO WEAR
DRESS CODE: Our dress code is enforced with your artist's comfort in mind! Please do your very best to send your artist dressed for success!
Athletic clothes that they can move in (NO jeans, skirts or dresses)
Athletic shoes that tie (NO slip on shoes)
Hair pulled back if possible!
Please also keep the hot weather in mind. There is air conditioning throughout the entire building, but the heat just makes everything warm. Athletic shorts & short sleeve shirts work great! We also recommend packing extra clothes in case of spills or sweat 💦
PARENT/GUARDIAN SUPERVISION POLICIES
Unlike our classes, parents are not required to stay on site. In fact, we encourage you to leave once your artist is settled. However if your artist is brand new to our program, we kindly request you stay for at least the first part of Monday (until lunch).
WHEN A PARENT / GUARDIAN IS REQUIRED TO STAY:
Artists that require assistance with the bathroom: Must stay all day
Artists that require administered medication: Must be the one giving the medication, but only required to be present for these moments
Artists that require assistance with food: Must be present AT LEAST 5 minutes prior to the start of each lunch & snack (refer to daily schedules)
BATHROOM: We are unable to assist artists with the bathroom. Artists must be able use the bathroom completely independently OR a parent/guardian must stay for the duration of the camp to assist them with their bathroom breaks.
MEDICATION: We will not administer any medication. If an artist is requiring medication or medical assistance, it must be administered by the parent/guardian.
LUNCH & SNACK
Food: Artists must bring their own healthy lunch & snack each day. Everything needs to be packed in a paper, plastic or reusable bag that is clearly labeled with artists’ name. If your artist needs assistance with food or eating, a parent / guardian is required to be present for all food breaks.
If possible, please make it clear what is to be eaten at lunch and what is to be eaten at snack. This allows the volunteers to help support your artist during these breaks.
All food must be nut free
No gum or candy
Water only!
Even though your artist is only with us for about 6 hours / day, we have engaging activities planned throughout — all which require brain power, creativity & physical energy! Please make sure to pack them enough food.
Label Lunch vs. Snack: For those that want to eat everything at once, we suggest labeling which food is for lunch vs. what food is for snack. Lunch will always come first & snack will always be after.
Only Water Is Allowed: If you send your artist with a different kind of beverage, we will not allow them to drink it. This is for so many reasons we will not bore you with. We will supply extra water for water bottle refills throughout the day. Water bottles must be clearly labeled with your artists’ name.
BACKPACK/TOTE BAG
Please have all your artist’s belongings placed in one bag that is clearly labeled with your artists’ name.
The entire camp will take place indoors, so no need to pack sunscreen, hats, etc.
What to pack:
Lunch
Snack
Water bottle
Extra clean clothes
SUMMER CAMP SHIRT
Details coming soon!
SHOWCASE & RECEPTION
This camp culminates with a showcase where artists present their repertoire from the week. Audience will also be able to walk around the building to admire & take pics of the art instillations created by the artists.
All are welcome! We encourage you to invite family & friends for what will be a casual yet festive celebration!
Once the show is done, everyone is encouraged to stick around, congratulate the performers, sign camp shirts & say good bye!
ADDITIONAL DETAILS
GENERAL HEALTH POLICIES: To be sure you understand all our protocols, please read our health policies.
SCHOLARSHIP REQUESTS: Scholarships are limited & applications are considered on a first-come-first-serve basis. Requesting a scholarship does not guarantee receipt of one. To request a scholarship, please email info@downfordance.org. DFD will notify scholarship recipients via email.
CANCELLATION POLICY: DFD reserves the right to cancel or change any scheduled activities for any reason. If camp cancellation occurs, 100% of camp payments will be refunded.
CAMP FACULTY
AMBER L CROMWELL, LMFT, ATR-BC, is a board-certified art therapist and arts educator. She is a Clinical Supervisor in the Helen B. Landgarten clinic and Co-Director of The Summer Arts Workshop for Loyola Marymount University's Department of Martial and Family Therapy with Specialization in Art Therapy. She also has a private practice and provides art therapy group services in the Los Angeles Unified School District through the Cedars-Sinai Share & Care program.
DANI EVERTS grew up in Southern California and started dancing at age 9. At age 22 she left dancing professionally to follow her heart and teach and direct the Dance Department at Wilson High School in Long Beach. In 2007 she left Wilson H.S. to raise her family & currently teaches dance & fitness classes. In February 2018 she was invited to a DFD performance. She loved the program and instantly knew she wanted to get involved. She has been teaching with DFD for about a year and a half and will be teaching hip hop this summer. She is so excited & grateful for the opportunity to share her love & joy of dance with these inspiring individuals!
ERIC STRETCH has enjoyed an exciting and varied showbiz career over the last 2 decades. He performed for several years in one of the most successful musicals in history, Wicked! His Broadway credentials also include performing in the casts of La Cage Aux Follies and Aida. His Film and TV experience includes performances in HBO's Boardwalk Empire, America's Got Talent (don't mention the camel) the 53rd Grammy Awards performing with Beyonce. As well as dancing with Madonna in her music video, “Give Me All Your Love.” As a member of the national recording group No Authority Eric has recorded 2 albums on the Maverick Records Label. The album's Executive Producer was Michael Jackson. No Authority has opened for Britney Spears, Pink, Destiny' Child and 98 degrees. Their recording achievements included the popular hit "Can I Get Your Number" When not performing on stages world wide, Eric is an exciting and insightful dance instructor who teaches students how to perform far beyond the dance technique. He brings passion, energy and his signature style to aspiring performers all over the world.
LAURA FREMONT is a dance-educator. Her career as studio owner, performer, choreographer, and producer of venues in film, television, stage, and concert has spanned more than thirty years. She has developed arts education programs and syllabus for a broad range of dancers ages 4 to 94 years young in both the professional dance industry and the novice level dancer. She has traveled throughout the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand giving master classes and adjudication. Former Founding, Executive Director of Ignite Dance Workshops nonprofit organization, her extensive commitment to arts education with her award-winning production of “Move It, Or Lose It,” won her several foundation grants for workshops and after-school programs. Laura’s work from 1996-2012 at the EDGE Performing Arts Center in Hollywood and the EDGE Scholarship Program fostered three generations of Broadway, film, and television industry talent. Currently, Laura directs Dance Moves with in-person classes and episodic community television for the Laguna Woods senior community. Laura has written young adult fiction and hosted an online interview blog, Dancing Ahead. When Laura is not dancing, she bakes, bikes, and hikes with Millie, her 12-pound Jack Russell terrier.
SARI ANNA THOMAS is the artistic director of DFD and an instructor as well. Originally from Seattle, her love for dance started early, bringing her to Los Angeles in 2000 on a scholarship to EDGE PAC. She danced professionally for 5 years and in 2006 began transitioning into directing, choreographing & teaching. In 2013 she began dancing with the Down syndrome community and continues to be deeply inspired by the work. She is humbled & grateful to have the opportunity to guide dancers through movement in a way that inspires creativity & self-expression. Her approach in the classroom is unique, as she has found a way to conduct class where everyone of all ages, levels and abilities feels challenged, supported & successful.