Give your kids the gift of making theater magic at Riverdale Y’s immersive theater arts camp. Our actors, ranging from 1st to 9th grade, are taught acting, voice, dance, stagecraft, improv and more by supportive industry professionals. Each three-week session is capped off with a fully-staged and choreographed Broadway musical open to family and friends on our main stage!
It is our greatest joy to watch how the arts bring children out of their shells and transform what they think is possible for themselves. We hope you come join us this summer!
There are two Summer Stage sessions. Join us for one or both!
Session 1: June 30 – July 18
Session 2: July 21 – August 8
All new and returning families will be required to audition or interview
Age Groups For Summer Stage Classes
During Summer Stage, children are grouped by age for theater arts classes however they are still a part of a mixed age “Squad Family” that competes against other squads doing fun team building games such as scavenger hunts, charades, and trivia. Each session will have at least one experienced and working Broadway Guest Artist who will present an interactive workshop along with a talkback with the entire camp community!
Below is more information about what each age group specifically works on.
Little Stars is a specialized program for our youngest performers. Actors will have fun-filled days packed with theater arts classes in voice, movement, and theater games; along with rehearsing their own musical together with the 3rd – 5th graders! Students will be exposed to theater techniques through play and fun, resulting in confidence and skill development while expanding their creativity and imagination. Special attention will be paid to each child’s growth throughout the program.
Rising Junior Stars will audition, rehearse, and perform a fully staged and choreographed Broadway musical together with the 1st and 2nd graders. This age group is provided with more guided instruction during theater arts classes. The actors are introduced to being given direction and taking notes to deepen their understanding of the material and storytelling.
Junior Stars grow their artistic individuality through researching and developing characters in scene study and song interpretation classes. There they are encouraged to make informed choices, fail, and most importantly keep trying as they expand their craft. Junior stars audition, rehearse, and perform a fully staged and choreographed Broadway musical together with the 8th and 9th graders.
Senior Stars are introduced to more acting techniques and how it informs character behavior. They work on even more character driven material to cultivate a deeper understanding of themselves in relation to their character and how their characters relate to one another to further the story. The actors audition, rehearse, and perform a fully staged and choreographed Broadway musical together with the 6th and 7th graders.
Register early and save up to $400!
Early Bird pricing is available now through December 31. Use the codes below when registering to save!
For the full summer, use code 25FULL to save $400
When registering for a single session, use code 25Half to save $200
Session 1
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June 30 - July 18
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$500 deposit required with registration
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Payment plans available
Full Summer
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June 30 - August 8
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$500 deposit required with registration
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Payment plans available
Session 2
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July 21 - August 8
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$500 deposit required with registration
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Payment plans available
Day in the Life Of a Summer Stage Camper . . .
9:00–9:15 am
Full Camp Physical and Vocal Warm Up
9:20–10:25 am
Block and Rehearse Scenes 1 & 2.
10:30–11:35 am
Full Cast Music Review
11:35am–12:00 pm
LUNCH
12:00–12:30pm
Little Stars and Junior Rising Stars – Playground
Junior Stars and Senior Stars – Theater Games on Patio
12:30–1:30pm
Little Stars- Stagecraft in Theater
Junior Rising Stars- Acting Class in Rainbow Room
Junior Stars- Scene Study Class in Board Room
Senior Stars- Dance Class in Dance Studio
1:30–1:45 pm
SNACK BREAK (provided by camp)
1:45–2:45pm
Little Stars and Junior Rising Stars- Dance in Dance Studio
Junior Stars – Song Interpretation Class in Board Room
Senior Stars – Stagecraft (Learning Soundboard/Lightboard) in Theater
2:50–3:20pm
Full Camp Family Squad Time in Theater/ Guest Artist Workshop
3:20–3:30pm
Cool Down/Expectations/Goals
Hear what our campers and Parents are saying about Summer Stage . . .
“I love everything about Summer Stage, the directors, the shows, the counselors and the community!”
Sylvie, 4th Grade
“We’re so impressed by the sense of community that develops every summer. Watching Sylvie make new bonds across different ages is one of the many delights of Summer Stage!”
David and Mara, Sylvie’s Parents
“All of the teachers and counselors are awesome, and really friendly. No one is expecting you to be perfect.”
Elena, 5th Grade
“The Riverdale Y’s Summer Stage program combines extremely high-quality instruction in performing arts with a uniquely welcoming and supportive community. My daughter looks up so much to the older kids, who serve as role models not just for acting and singing, but also for being good people. Summer Stage is a gem.”
Amy, Elena’s Mom
Our Staff
Amanda Eastman, Director
Katie Adams, Assistant Director
Amanda Eastman has been directing Junior Rising Stars and Little Stars for the last four years and she is excited to take on Summer Stage. She is an accomplished and established theater director, educator and performer, who is passionate about theater education. Amanda enjoys working with children to help them find their self-confidence and voice through theater arts. Originally from Northern Vermont, Amanda now lives in the Riverdale section of the Bronx with her husband and young son. She holds a BFA in Drama from Syracuse University and a MALS degree from Dartmouth College. Amanda has worked full time in a variety of independent and private schools teaching and directing theater, spending fourteen years at the Riverdale Country School, in Bronx NY. Some of her favorite shows she directed with the Junior Rising Stars are Frozen, Matilda, Annie and Sister Act.
A Pittsburgh native, is thrilled to be working with the talented young actors at Riverdale Rising Stars! Selected performance credits – Broadway: Wicked (Glinda Standby 200+ performances). 1st National Tours: Wicked (Glinda Standby), Urinetown (Soupy Sue), Grease (Marty). Off-Broadway: Vanities, Second Stage; Henry Sweet Henry (Gil), York Theatre; Cam Jansen, Lamb’s Theatre. TV/Film: A Very Wicked Halloween-Celebrating 15 Years on Broadway (Glindas) NBC; The Tonight Show with Jay Leno (“One Short Day” performance) NBC. Graduate of The Boston Conservatory. Selected teaching credits- Musical Theater Faculty at both New York Film Academy as well as The American Musical and Dramatic Academy. Also received a double masters degree in Early Childhood General Education/Special Education. Forever grateful for my Joe and delicious girls Ellie and Gracie. We are lucky to be here, so let’s play!
