Philadelphia, PA| May 6, 2024 – This August, Philadelphia Theatre Company (PTC) (480 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19146) offers two exciting opportunities for children in grades four through nine in the city to unleash their creativity during PTC’s immersive summer theatre program. PTC has had a rich history of theatre education for young people over the years, and the staff is beyond thrilled to bring back youth programming this summer with the help of Taibi Magar and Tyler Dobrowsky, co-artistic directors at PTC.  

 “Arts education is vital to a child’s development and a foundational piece of PTC’s future,” says Dobrowsky. “We’re thrilled to bring back arts education programming this summer and can’t wait to have young people acting, learning, and performing here at the Suzanne Roberts Theatre once again.”

The week-long programs are held onsite at PTC and allow students to hone and sharpen their theatre skills with the help of experts and classes on scene studies, improvisation, and playwriting. Each week incorporates inclusive team-building and grounding activities to enhance creative play. Students will learn scene study, movement, team-building, and Philly history — in a safe, constructive, and, most importantly, fun, creative space. 

Classes will be led by Anjoli Santiago, Director of Education and Public Programs at PTC, and Madeleine Russell, a Philadelphia-based actor and educator.  During each Wednesday session, PTC will host one to two resident playwrights from the Philadelphia Young Playwrights program to engage children in a lunch-and-learn conversation. Students can playwrights about their creative approach and learn from their process. Additionally, youth will learn about Philadelphia’s theatre history and explore the language of movement and dance to Philly-made rhythms. 

Santiago and Philadelphia-based actor and educator Madeleine Russell will conduct the summer camp classes. Russell (she/hers) has performed with Trinity Repertory Company, American Stage, Ars Nova, Atlantic Stage 2, Plays in Place, and The Flynn, and she has taught with theatre education programs Courageous Stage and Beyond the Page. She holds an MFA in acting from Brown University and a BA in theatre and history from Middlebury College. Santiago, a life-long artist and creative, joined PTC in September 2023, earning her BA in theatre at Temple University, an NY Teaching Fellowship, and high honors from CUNY City College with an M.S.Ed. She’s also taught summer programming for middle school students through Liberty Leads from Bank Street College in Harlem.

Students will then take what they’ve learned throughout the week and produce a final presentation for friends and family showcasing what the phrase “It’s a Philly Thing!” means to them. 

“What better way to engage local youth than with a week-long summer program that offers a fun, theatre-focused education featuring acting, dance, and some cool Philadelphia history?” says Santiago. “Plus, students will work with the writers at Philadelphia Young Playwrights, a local organization dedicated to nurturing some of Philly’s best young talent! We can’t wait to get this ‘Philly Thing’ started!”

The summer programs run August 5 to 9 and August 19 to 23, Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Prices for the summer theatre program start at $400. Registration for the summer theatre program is open until August 6th for children in grades 4 through 6 and August 16 for those in grades 7 through 9. Snacks and beverages will be provided daily for youth enrolled in the program, and lunch will be provided on Wednesday of each session. 

Philadelphia Theatre Company (PTC) is a vital civic institution dedicated to the creation of extraordinary theatrical experiences that reflect the essential issues and ideas of our time and that foster connection, understanding, and transformation. PTC engages and strengthens our community through exceptional productions of new and contemporary plays and musicals, inspiring education programs, and mutually beneficial civic partnerships. PTC develops exciting new work that resonates locally and nationally and upholds a deep commitment to be a fully inclusive, welcoming home for Philadelphia’s artists, audiences, and people.