Outreach and Education at Black Dirt Theater
Black Dirt Theater’s Outreach and Education branch aims to broaden the effects of BDT in the community. The Outreach teams work by taking our main stage productions and creating a shortened, traveling version of the show, and brings the BDT experience to members of the community who may not otherwise have access to enjoy our work. The Education team works by offering theater classes and summer camps that give students opportunities to learn and develop performance and team-building skills among other things as well. Overall, the BDT Outreach and Education branch is working to encourage community building and connectedness through the arts.
SPIRAL Theater Camps 2023!
SPIRAL Theater Camp is a partnership along with Black Dirt Community Theater and Hastings Community Education to bring high-quality theater education to local students. The vision was simple - to provide safe, encouraging, art-centered experiences for the kiddos of Hastings and neighboring communities. SPIRAL Theater Camp Director, Elizabeth Damico-Carper, launched a similar for Black Dirt in the summer of 2019 (and what a TIME we had putting on a show in a week and touring around town to share with others! ) The pandemic put the brakes on things…until now. The plan that formed over the past two years was to E X P A N D… and offer a greater program to more children in our community!
The “SPIRAL” in SPIRAL Theater Camp means: (S)ummer (P)erforming (I)ntensives (R)eal (A)rts (L)earning - and with this in mind we’re providing the following camps for students in 2023.
*please note 5th graders have the most options as they are in middle school here in Hastings. 5th graders may register for any of our camps. If your child is beginning to express interest in theater and performing, we suggest the half-day options. If your child has done shows and really wants to dig into the rehearsal and theater process, the two-week/full-day option is for them!
Week One
July 10-14 SPIRAL Theater Camp: Beginning Stages
Kindergarten-2nd grade, 9am-12pm $105/week,
*Optional 12pm-1pm Art Class, $30/week
July 10-14 SPIRAL Theater Camp: Center Stages
3rd grade-5th grade, 1pm-4pm $120/week
*Optional 12pm-1pm Art Class, $30/week
financial assistance is available if needed, simply inquire by emailing: spiraltheatercamps@gmail.com
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Weeks Two and Three
July 17--21 and 24-28 SPIRAL Theater Camp: Up Stage
5th grade-8th grade, 9am-3pm $410 for 2 weeks of full-day camps
Campers must be able to attend both weeks.
financial assistance is available if needed, simply inquire by emailing: spiraltheatercamps@gmail.com
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Week Four
*has different themes, music, and show than week one. You are welcome to register your camper for both weeks (they won’t be bored!).
July 31-August 4 SPIRAL Theater Camp: Beginning Stages
Kindergarten-2nd grade, 9am-12pm $105/week,
*Optional 12pm-1pm Art Class, $30/week
SPIRAL Theater Camp: Center Stages
3rd grade-5th grade, 1pm-4pm $120/week
*Optional 12pm-1pm Art Class, $30/week
financial assistance is available if needed, simply inquire by emailing: spiraltheatercamps@gmail.com
SPIRAL Theater Camp Director, Elizabeth Damico-Carper
As the daughter of a theater director, Elizabeth grew up playing piano for, directing, and growing in summer theater camps just like SPIRAL! After moving to Hastings in 2017 she became involved with Black Dirt theater as music director for their summer musicals. She believes in the power of collaborative storytelling and loves supporting young people as they discover their best gifts. Bringing organizational leadership and a hefty dose of humor, Elizabeth is excited to bring these summer camp experiences to the youth of Hastings.