Musical Theatre Camps

We “just don’t see how a world that makes such wonderful things could be bad.” - Ashman/Slater

Join us at CMS…where you’ll find a walking mermaid, singing sea creatures, a talking pelican, and more! Amongst all the imaginary elements are real life-lessons about dreams, choices, friendships, and above all…love! We’re ready to go “Under the Sea” and make new friends with Hans Christian Andersen’s timeless tale, The Little Mermaid!

The CMS Musical Theatre Camps are extremely popular. We provide a professional experience while being child-focused and welcoming to all. It’s a rarity to find a local children’s production that offers On Stage, Backstage, and Pit Orchestra experiences…spots are limited and fill up quickly! Don’t delay!

Please note the following schedule changes from last summer:

• On Stage and Backstage will run for 3 weeks, 7/15 - 8/2, 9am-4pm
• Pit Orchestra will run for 2 weeks with full-day rehearsals, 9am-4pm, 7/22 - 8/2.

(Performances will be on 8/2, 8/3, 8/4. See below for more details.)

Did you know that…

• No prior experience is needed!
• Students can choose from one of three offerings: On Stage! (for those budding actors and actresses), Backstage Camp (for those who like the behind-the-scenes technical side, and Pit Orchestra (for high school instrumentalists).
• Students rehearse, build, and perform in Thompson Hall, a professional opera hall inside the beautiful Roselle Center for the Arts!
• Top professionals from UD School of Music and UD Media Services operate the sound and lighting, providing campers with a professional experience!
• A full staff is well-vetted to ensure the most qualified individuals are placed as directors, choreographer, stage manager, vocal coaches, and interns!
• The On Stage campers will learn fundamentals of being a “triple threat” with dancing, singing, and acting!
• The Backstage Camp includes technical theatre experiences in set building, design, costumes, lighting, stage crew, and more!
• The Pit Orchestra plays the live orchestration during the show! It’s comprised of both local high school students and professional musicians. This provides the younger musicians with a side-by-side experience of playing along with, and learning from, local professionals.
• Most importantly…we have TONS OF FUN!

Which adventure will you choose to be “Part of Our World”?

Performance and Ticketing Info:

3 performances are open to the public:

Fri and Sat, 8/2 & 8/3, 7pm

Sunday, 8/4, 2pm

Tickets Costs: $10 for adults, $5 for children/students/seniors, children under 5 are free, and each camp family receives 2 complimentary tickets. Online ticket sales will include a slight service fee. Purchasing info will be updated as the event nears.​

Musical Theatre - On Stage! Rising 3rd grade - graduating 12th

On Stage Camp is full! Registrations for the waitlist are being accepted.​

Rising 3rd - graduating 12th graders will dance, sing, and act while also learning about vocal health, stage presence, and the intricacies of putting on a show. Students will receive individual guidance as well as plenty of time working together as a group. Laughing with friends is not only encouraged…it’s required!

Audition information for role casting will be emailed before camp starts. The email will come from communitymusicschool@udel.edu. Please ensure that your email server has our address filtered to go to your inbox as company addresses frequently get filtered to spam!

Please, no absences from camp during the final week as there will be technical rehearsals every day. Absences during the first week may affect casting. Please reach out to CMS Director, Mary Margaret Wilson, mmbw@udel.edu with information about planned absences.​

Backstage crews ARE the magic behind the curtain in theatrical productions! We welcome rising 6th - graduating 12th graders into our Studio to quite literally get a behind the scenes look at the technical side of musical theatre!

During camp, students will build and/or paint sets, design and make props, manage costumes and make-up, run stage crew, and be hands-on in a multitude of needs. Local professionals will run clinics throughout the week on topics such as stage lighting, audio engineering, and costume and make-up design. Students may also take off-campus trips to shop for set materials and/or costumes.

To help ensure the safety for all amongst the equipment and tools, campers must behave appropriately, exhibit self-control, and follow instructions. Significant and/or repeated behavior concerns may result in camp withdrawal.

Correspondence from CMS comes from our email, communitymusicschool@udel.edu. Please ensure that your email server has our address filtered to go to your inbox as company addresses frequently get filtered to spam!​

No pre-recorded accompaniment tracks found here! One of the best parts of the CMS Musical Theatre production is the live pit orchestra!

CMS is happy to offer the pit orchestra experience TUITION FREE to selected high school applicants with strong instrumental skills. Since we are producing a full musical theatre production and this is professional-level repertoire, home practice will be expected.

Registration does not guarantee acceptance - you will be notified by email of your acceptance. The email will come from communitymusicschool@udel.edu. Please ensure that your email server has our address filtered to go to your inbox as company addresses frequently get filtered to spam!

Needed Instrumentation:

(1) Bass

(1) Cello

(1) Drums (includes drum kit and auxiliary percussion)

(1) Flute/Piccolo

(1) Horn

(1) Keyboard I

(1) Keyboard II

(1) Keyboard III

(1) Keyboard IV (needs pending)

(1) Oboe

(1) Percussion (includes xylophone, timpani, and auxiliary percussion - must know how to read treble and bass clef)

(1) Reeds: Clarinet/Bass Clarinet/Alto Saxophone

(1) Trumpet

(1) Violin 1

(1) Violin 2

To apply:

1. Register via the link below
2. Ask your music teacher (school teacher or private lesson teacher) to email communitymusicschool@udel.edu with a letter of recommendation

NOTE: If you are a member of a 2024 All-State Band or Orchestra ensemble, a letter of recommendation is not needed. Please email us to say you are an All-State member.​

​​Do you need child care beyond camp hours? We’ve got you covered! Before Care and After Care are available in the Roselle Center for the Arts. Bring your breakfast and an afternoon snack and we’ll provide the smiles, crafts, and games!

Hours:

Before Care: 8 a.m. until start of camp

After Care: end of camp until 6 p.m.

Cost:

Before Care: $40 for the week​​

After Care: billed at the end of camp week at a rate of $10/hour or part of an hour

Registration:

To register: please email communitymusicschool@udel.edu

Drop-in Note:

We know that sometimes schedules are unpredictable and every now and then you may find yourself unexpectedly needing Before and/or After Care. No problem! Families are welcome to “drop-in” as needed and will be charged the After Care rate. The After Care rate will be applied to all drop-ins, both morning and afternoon.​​

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