(OCEAN GROVE, NJ) -- The Jersey Shore Arts Center is thrilled to announce the launch of an exciting new Summer Theatre Camp, offering a unique and enriching experience for young performers aged 8 to 18. Spearheaded by Jim and Bridget DeVivo, two esteemed theatre educators with over 50 years of combined experience, the camp promises to be a transformative journey for aspiring young artists.
The Summer Theatre Camp, held at the historic Jersey Shore Arts Center in Ocean Grove, features a diverse range of programs designed to cultivate talent and ignite a passion for the performing arts. The camps include:
* Musical Theatre Workshop (ages 8-18): Focus on developing voice, movement, and acting skills through the performance of popular Broadway numbers in a fun and supportive environment. Students will be split into groups by age. Songs and scenes will be decided during the run of the camp and conclude with a performance for family and friends on the last day. Whether your child is a budding performer or just looking to try something new, this workshop promises to be a rewarding and memorable experience!
* Teen Acting & Improvisation: Embark on a journey of self-discovery and artistic exploration with this new acting workshop for aspiring teen performers aged 13 to 18. Students will develop the essential tools of voice, body, and mind through dynamic exercises and immersive scene work. Led by a seasoned instructor, participants will cultivate confidence and versatility in a supportive environment.
* Pen to Performance: Students will learn the basics of script writing and performance through character and plot development inspired by locations throughout the arts center building. Students will write original monologues and/or scenes and perform them in this master class for teenagers.
Jim DeVivo is a theatre teacher and director for grades 7-12 in the Holmdel Township Schools. He is also an adjunct professor at NYU and an Artistic Associate for the New Plays for Young Audiences Series at the Provincetown Playhouse in NYC. Jim is the creator of Young Playwrights Guide, a playwriting resource for young writers and their mentors. Prior to classroom teaching, Jim specialized in the development of theatrical work by and for youth as Director of Education for Writers Theatre of New Jersey and produced the annual New Jersey Young Playwrights Festival. Jim’s research has been published in national and international journals and he received awards for his work from the New Jersey Theatre Alliance, the Liverpool Central School District, and the NJ Governor’s Award for Arts Education. He holds a PhD and MA in Educational Theatre from NYU and graduated magna cum laude with University Honors from Niagara University with a dual major BFA in Theatre and English.
Bridget DeVivo created the Drama program at Oak Hill Academy in Lincroft where she has taught drama to Pre-K through 8th grade since 2002. To date, she has directed 22 full-length productions and numerous short pieces for assemblies and class performances for various holidays and special events and leads the school’s Thespian Troupe and Dance Ensemble. Bridget earned a BA in Theatre Arts & English (dual major) and a Master's degree in Educational Theatre from NYU where she developed a passion for Shakespeare performance with children through study abroad programs in London. Additionally, Bridget taught high school theatre in Tooting, London, through an internship at Ernest Bevin College. Her experience also includes leading outreach programs in Harlem, Brooklyn, and the Bronx, and teaching ballet, tap, and jazz classes for young children at The Children's Aid Society in Greenwich Village.
Jim and Bridget reside in Brick, NJ, with their three children and one pug, all of whom bring their own unique flair to the family’s theatrical endeavors.
Located in the heart of Ocean Grove, the Jersey Shore Arts Center is a vibrant cultural hub dedicated to promoting the arts and providing a space for creative expression. The Arts Center provides affordable programs, events, professional opportunities, and workspaces for artists and arts-related educators, who in turn develop opportunities for the broader Jersey Shore community to experience and engage with the arts. Housed in a beautifully restored historic building, the Arts Center offers a variety of programs and events that enrich the local community and support artists of all ages.
"We are incredibly excited to launch this new Summer Theatre Camp and to bring our work with creative youth to the Jersey Shore Arts Center," said Jim DeVivo. "Our goal is to provide a supportive and inspiring environment where students can explore their creativity, develop their skills, and gain confidence in their abilities all through the magic of the performing arts."
Registration for the Summer Theatre Camp is now open. For more information and to register, please visit the Jersey Shore Arts Center’s website at www.jerseyshoreartscenter.org or call (732) 502-0050, ext. 102.
