Under the direction of Ann Woldt, Simpson College is again offering workshops during the summer of 2005 for elementary school children and high school students through the Summer Theatre Institute.

The institute is designed to give students time to concentrate on the process of creating theatre. All of the institute classes and workshops are taught by Theatre Simpson faculty and theatre professionals.

Two different programs are available. The first program is a week-long residential camp July 31-Aug. 5 for high school students. It will give 15-18 year-olds the opportunity to explore both performance and technical theatre and will culminate in an ‘Open Classroom’ where students will showcase their work.      The second program is for youth entering grades 4-6. Two sessions of week-long day camps will be offered Aug. 8-12 and Aug. 15-19. These afternoon camps focus on the process of putting on a play. Each week the students will rehearse and perform a different play to be presented before an audience of family and friends at the Barnum Studio Theatre on the Simpson College campus. Students may sign up for one week or both.

The summer program is an extension of the mission of Theatre Simpson which focuses on theatre as an avenue for personal discovery, self-discipline, creative expression and artistic excellence. The camps allow area young people to explore and expand their creative skills within a structured event led by professional teachers and artists.

For information on tuition and fees go to the Theatre Department homepage on the Simpson College website at www.simpson.edu/theatre or call 515.961.1647.