Connect with us

Arts & Entertainment

Off to summer camp

Many schools, theaters and more offer LGBT-affirming options

Published

on

summer camps, gay news, Washington Blade

Campers at Synetic Theater this summer will learn and perform ‘The Wild and Wacky Wizarding World of Wiley Skylar!’ (Photo courtesy Synetic)

Although winter weather is hanging on tight at the close of the season, summer is rapidly approaching. Instead of fighting to find ways to entertain the kids at home, local camps have done the hard work for you. Kids can ride horses, learn beauty tricks, conduct science experiments or perform in a musical. With programs for all types of interest, the only battle is choosing which camp to try this summer.

Adventure Theatre offers Summer Musical Theater Camp for grades one-six in Glen Echo Park for a two-week session and for grades six-12 in Wintergreen Plaza for a three-week session. This summer campers will Campers will perform “Return of the Glass Slipper,” “Thwacked!” and “Tom Sawyer” among others. D.C area theater professionals and artists guide campers in daily rehearsals. Family and friends can watch the completed shows at the end of the camp session. Grades six-12 can choose from Contemporary Musical Theater Study and On-Camera Musical Theater Study. Contemporary Musical Theater Study includes a day trip to New York City. Sessions for grades one-six range from $800-850. Grades six-12 sessions range from $1,200-1,330. For details, visit adventuretheatre-mtc.org.

The Beauvoir School (3500 Woodley Rd., N.W.) splits its camp programs into age-appropriate activities. Fireflies (Rising Pre-K), Blue Jays (rising Kindergarten), Box Turtles (rising first graders), Koalas (rising second-third Graders), Broad Bears (rising fourth-fifth graders) and CITs (rising sixth-12 graders). Each level focuses on a type of program from art to outdoor activities. CITs prepare students to become counselors by giving them hands-on leadership experience with campers. Blue Jays, Box Turtles and Koalas can also choose a Make-Your-Own Camp option that lets campers pick their A.M. and P.M. activities. A swimming option is also available. For a list of prices, visit summer.beauvoirschool.org.

Camp RimRock for Girls (343 Camp Rim Rock Rd., Yellow Spring, W.Va.) is a sleep-away camp for girls in rising first grade through rising 10th grade. General camp is for rising second through 10th graders. Campers can participate in horseback riding, sports, aquatics, performing arts and arts and crafts. General Camp sessions is for two-week sessions for $2,750 or four-week sessions for $5,000. Riding Speciality Camp is for rising fourth through 10th graders. This program focuses only on horseback riding for one week for $1,500. Mini Camp is also available for first time sleep-away campers in rising first, second and third grade for $1,500. For a list of dates, visit camprimrock.com.

Circle Yoga (3838 Northampton St., N.W.) offers programs for children ages 6-12 for full-day camp and children ages 4-7 for half-day camp. Children can participate in yoga and movement, crafts and creative arts, group games, camp songs, relaxation and journaling. Full-day camp is from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. and is $365 per week. Half-day camp is from 9 a.m.-noon and is $250 per week. For information, visit circleyoga.com.

Green Acres School (11701 Danville Dr., North Bethesda, Md.) offers Kreative Kangaroos for pre-K students which lets them engage in outdoor play, swimming, dancing and carpentry. Junior camp is for kindergarten through second grade and activities include drama, music, dance, swimming and cooking Senior camp is for grades three through six and includes robotics, rock band, workshop, filmmaking, photography and cooking. For a list of pricing and session times, visit greenacres.org.

The Lowell School (1640 Kalmia Rd., N.W.) offers programs for campers starting at age 2-15. Best Buddies is for rising first and second graders and programs include African Drum Fun, Beginning Robotics, among others. Summer Stage is for rising third-eigtht graders and includes Gotta Have Glee, a program that focus on popular music like Taylor Swift and “The Lion King.” Tweens N Teens is for ages 12-14 and has programs such as Gaming and Apps Basics and Amazing Race, which challenges campers to find little-known locations in and around D.C. For a complete list of sessions, programs and prices, visit lowellschool.com.

Synetic Theatre (1800 S Bell St., Arlington, Va.) lets campers stage and perform an original play, “The Wild and Wacky Wizarding World of Wiley Skylar!” The play was written for the campers with original musical numbers and an original score. There is one summer intensive session for students 12-18 from June 12-23 for $350. Multiple sessions are available for students 6-14 for $900. Camp Creation and Imagination is for children ages 4-6 from June 12-23 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Tuition is $400 and includes snack. A.M. care and lunch add-ons are available for all programs except summer intensive. For more details, visit synetictheater.com/camps.

Washington Performing Arts has Capital Jazz Camp from June 26-July 8 for children in rising grades three through eight with minimum one-year instrumental experience. Capital Strings Camp is from June 26-July and is for children in rising grades three through six. No experience is required. Capital Voices Camp runs from July 10-21 and is for children in grades four-12 with basic vocal training experience. Summer Steps with Step Afrika is for rising campers in grades four-12 with basic dance experience. Each camp is $350 and locations vary. For more information, visit washingtonperformingarts.org.

The YMCA in D.C. has camp programs for a traditional experience such as sports, theater, art, swimming, dance and technology. Campers wanting a more specialized course can register for beauty school, creative writing, gardening, among numerous other programs. Camp Letts (4003 Camp Letts Rd., Edgewater, Md.) is the YMCA’s sleep-away camp which offers activities such as horseback riding and kayaking. For more details on camp programs and for a list of prices, visit ymcadc.org and campletts.org.

Advertisement
FUND LGBTQ JOURNALISM
SIGN UP FOR E-BLAST

Photos

PHOTOS: Gay Day at the Zoo

Smithsonian marks International Family Equality Day

Published

on

Gay Day at the Zoo (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

The DC Center for the LGBTQ Community, SMYAL and Rainbow Families sponsored Gay Day at the Zoo on Sunday at the Smithsonian National Zoo. The Smithsonian marked International Family Equality Day with special exhibits and an event space.

(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)

Continue Reading

Photos

PHOTOS: Taste of Point

Annual fundraiser held for LGBTQ youth scholarship, mentorship organization

Published

on

Taste of Point DC (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

The Point Foundation held its annual Taste of Point fundraiser at Room & Board on May 2.

(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)

Continue Reading

Theater

Miss Kitty tackles classical mythology in ‘Metamorphoses’

Folger production seen through the lens of the African diaspora

Published

on

Miss Kitty (Photo by Sarah Laughland Photography)

‘Metamorphoses’
May 7-June 16
Folger Theatre
201 East Capitol St., S.E.
$20-$84
Folger.edu

Miss Kitty’s words are thoughtful and measured, occasionally punctuated by flamboyant flourishes and uplifting proclamations. Her tried and tested tagline is “live in fierce not fear.” 

She describes herself as “AMAB (assigned male at birth), nonbinary, genderqueer, transfemme” as well as “chanteuse, noble blacktress, and dancer.” 

Currently, Miss Kitty is testing her talents in Mary Zimmerman’s “Metamorphoses” at Folger Theatre on Capitol Hill. 

At 90 minutes, “Metamorphoses,” is made up of interwoven vignettes from classical mythology including the tales of Midas and his daughter, Alcyone and Ceyx, and Eros and Psyche. 

“It’s all stories that relate to the human condition: the follies, the happiness, the love, the loss,” Miss Kitty explains. “And a thorough knowledge of mythology isn’t a requirement for enjoyment.” 

The language is contemporary and with its 11-person ensemble cast – comprised exclusively of Black or indigenous people of color – they’re adding their own spin to its present-day feel, she adds. 

In Zimmerman’s famously staged premiere production, the actors performed in and around a pool of water. At Folger, director Psalmayene 24 has ditched actual aquatics; instead, he suggests the element by introducing Water Nymph, a new character constructed around Miss Kitty. 

Water Nymph doesn’t speak, but she’s very visible from the opening number and throughout the play on stage and popping up in unexpected places around the venue. 

“It’s a lot of dancing; I haven’t danced the way Tony Thomas is choreographing me in a very long time. At 40, can she still make theater with just my body as her instrument?

The name “Miss Kitty” was born over a decade ago. 

Miss Kitty recalls, “She was still presenting as male and going by her dead name. Someone commented that with the wig she was wearing for a part, she looked like Eartha Kitt whom she deeply admires.”

Her penchant for illeism (referring to oneself in third person) isn’t without good reason. She explains, “It’s to reiterate that however she might look, she’s always there; and if you misgender, she will let you know.”

Initially, the moniker was a drag persona at Capital Pride or the occasional fabulous cabaret performance at a nightclub.

But as time passed, she realized that Miss Kitty was something she couldn’t take off. She had always been a part of her. 

“She’s helped me to grow and flourish; she’s given me the strength that I never would have had before. I’m so proud of myself for realizing that before it was too late.” 

Bringing Miss Kitty into her theatrical career presented some concerns. Would theater folks be open to the new her, especially those she’d worked with before? 

Not always, but she’s found new companies who’ve welcomed Miss Kitty with open arms including Avant Bard, Spooky Action Theater, and now Folger. 

Last fall, Miss Kitty appeared in Spooky Action’s Agreste (Drylands), a stunning queer story penned by gay Brazilian playwright Newton Moreno. 

After being invited to audition and reading the script, Miss Kitty was determined to be a part of the production. 

A work dealing with love and being trans, and transphobia, and how people can turn on a dime once they learn the truth about someone, resonated deeply with the actor. 

“The play speaks to the idea that if people just let people be who they are and love who they want to love we’d all be a lot happier,” she says. 

For her sublime efforts, Miss Kitty nabbed a Helen Hayes Award nomination in the Outstanding Lead Performer category (winner to be determined on Monday, May 20 during a ceremony at The Anthem). 

It’s her first time nominated and first time attending. She’s thrilled. 

Miss Kitty grew up in Oxen Hill, Md., and now lives near Washington Harbor. Her entry into performance was through music followed by high school plays. She graduated from Catholic University with a degree in music/concentration in musical theater, and from there dove directly into showbiz. 

Looking back, Miss Kitty says, “being a person of color AND queer can be a double whammy of difficulty. You have to live in light and do the things you’re afraid to do. That’s the game changer.” 

Presenting “Metamorphoses” through the lens of the African diaspora (the cast also includes Jon Hudson Odom and Billie Krishawn, among others) helps us to realize that every story can be universal, especially for marginalized people — South Asian, Native American, or fully queer perspectives, she says.  

“Having an all-Black ensemble opens all new worlds for everyone.”

Continue Reading
Advertisement
Advertisement

Sign Up for Weekly E-Blast

Follow Us @washblade

Advertisement

Popular