FUN FOR ALL. After years of successful youth summer programming, local families have yearned for even more offerings from the Menomonie Theater Guild. This summer, those wishes are being granted! (Photos via Facebook)

The Menomonie Theater Guild (MTG) has been offering camp-style youth programming over the summertime months for years, the multi-week camps culminating in outstanding performances and cementing memories for youth in grades 2-10. Families have been pokin’ MTG for years to offer more camps and programming for the K-3 kiddos, and now, those requests are being fulfilled!

The new K-3 Summer Theater Camp features two week-long opportunities: Discovery Theater and Dramagination Storytelling.

Discovery Theater will be held June 19-22 from 1-4pm each day, offering kiddos the chance to explore theater fundamentals like character development, movement, and voice, all while practicing cooperation and collaboration skills, playing games, and more.

Dramagination Storytelling will be held June 26-29 from 1-4pm each day, allowing kids to reimagine classic children’s storybooks with creative twists, act out scenes, and embrace their artistry by creating props, costumes, and puppets.

Local Menomonie school district teacher, Amy Groskreutz, will be leading each K-3 camp, having been involved in theater for years from the performer's and director's side.

LeAnne Talberg, the MTG board’s executive assistant, explained how the K-3 Summer Theater Camps offer a fun learning-focused environment with their shorter lengths and smaller class sizes. Talberg met with Groskreutz after Groskreutz was recommended to lead the camps by Menomonie High School theater teacher, Grant Singer, and said she was impressed with her experience, education, and pure enthusiasm.

"MAKING THEATER ARTS ACCESSIBLE AND AVAILABLE TO ALL IS AN IMPORTANT FOCUS FOR MENOMONIE THEATER GUILD."

LEANNE TALBERG

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT TO THE MTG BOARD

Each of the new K-3 camps will have a 20-student maximum, the fee per child being $45, though MTG continues to put accessibility at the core of its work and does offer scholarship assistance.

“Making theater arts accessible and available to all is an important focus for Menomonie Theater Guild,” Talberg explained. “We strive to keep our tuition rates affordable but understand that even “affordable” rates are out of reach for some local families… We set aside a pool of scholarship assistance that is available by simple application.

Of course, MTG’s usual summer youth programming includes the Summer Youth Theater Production, which will dive into The Little Mermaid JR. this year. The three-week camp is open to those in grades 2-10 and will run from July 17-August 6.

Talberg suggested K-3 kids that would benefit from a more intimate-sized camp go for the new K-3 programming, while older kids and those more accustomed to taking direction in a school-style setting shoot for The Little Mermaid JR. youth camp.

Registration for the youth summer programs closes on May 16. 

Learn more about youth summer programming on Menomonie Theater Guild’s website and keep up with them on Facebook.