STAGE DOOR CONSERVATORY
Offers four popular summer camp programs in musical theater and the performing arts to children in the 3rd through 12th grade. Based in Berkeley, our programs are in close proximity to Albany, Richmond, Oakland, Piedmont, Alameda and other East Bay and Contra Costa communities. Acclaimed artistically, our day camps provide an enriched, supportive and often profoundly memorable experience for children interested in developing and expressing themselves as young actors and theater artists.

MORE THAN A CAMP … OFTEN THE EXPERIENCE OF A LIFETIME

We often receive letters from parents saying what an amazing summer experience their child had during their time at Stage Door Conservatory. The children write too, boldly proclaiming their enthusiasm, gratitude and even their love for our programs. I am biased, but Stage Door Conservatory has a special kind of magic … the magic to nurture, inspire and engage children’s creativity!

I became involved as the General Manger of the company in 2003 after seeing my step-son as a younger child in one of Stage Door’s Kids on Stage productions. At the time he was in 4th grade and he was playing the role of Schlemazel in Schlemazel Goes to Paradise. As I watched him, I felt a swell of sheer joy as he did unabashedly what I had always wanted to do myself, but had always been too shy to try: sing his heart out ­ even if he was a bit off-key.

It was especially inspiring because he did this as a child with Tourette’s syndrome with some fears about how he was perceived by others. On stage, and with the support of our staff, he found a way to express his own special talent and joie de’vivre and over the years, something very important happened -- he started becoming more confident and skillful, not only as a young person, but as an artist. I can truly say that Stage Door Conservatory has been one of the most positive and formative influences in his life ­ one that he will carry as a resource inside him as ventures forth in his life as a young adult and actor and performer.

The arts provide such as rich opportunity for growth and learning for children, helping them develop not only as artists, but as developing persons ­ which is why it’s been so exciting and rewarding to include so many young members of our community in our programs. In addition to providing a memorable summer experience, exemplary training in theater arts and rewarding opportunities to perform, we are committed to helping each child find and express that unique spark that is theirs alone.

If you are seeking a summer program for your child, I urge you to consider enrolling him or her in Stage Door Conservatory this coming summer. If you do, your child will certainly learn and grow … and have the experience of a life-time! — Rawna Romero