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Theater Boot Camp Brings Big Top to the Stage

Winchester Cultural Center’s Theater Boot Camp upped the ante with this summer’s program, adding writing, magic and circus to its list of traditional dance and drama skills taught at the camp held at the center, 3130 S. McLeod Drive. Theater Boot Camp begins June 9 and is open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday with instructional time from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The center is closed Mondays as well as the Fourth of July holiday on Friday, July 3.

Campers can enroll on a monthly or weekly basis. Registration is $225 for June 9 to 26, $206 for June 29 to July 17 and $300 for July 22 to Aug. 14. Weekly registration is available for $85 per child. An additional $10 will be charged at first enrollment for admission to the end-of-the-summer performance Aug. 14 and 15. Students must attend eight weeks of camp ­­– two of which must be the last two weeks of camp – in order to perform in the final show. The show is a musical journey through dance, rock n’ roll and magic, where the audience participates in the laughs and fun as the children run off to the circus.

Along with professional theater instruction, participants will attend classes in the skills of musical theater, dance, magic and circus skills. Dance classes include tap, jazz and ballet along with acrobatics. Field trip shows include “Lion King,” “Mystère” and a magic show on the Strip. Apart from instructional classes, campers also will participate in recreational activities and watch movies.

The Theater Boot Camp is lead by Winchester Players Director Susan Swanson and by her brother Christopher Swanson. Susan Swanson brings Broadway experience from shows such as “No, No Nannette,” “Pajama Game” and “Anything Goes” while Christopher Swanson was a long-time performer in “Jubilee!” at Bally’s on the Strip.

Those interested in Winchester’s Theater Boot Camp can call 702-455-7340. Registration is available online at www.accessclarkcounty.com/parks.