OTT's Theater Camp (Ages 7-18) is the perfect step to get your child started in visual performing arts! This 5 week summer camp is a safe place for your child to learn everything about theater - including acting, dancing. singing, and even behind the scenes! Our teachers incorporate fun lessons and activities to learn more about theater and to learn the entire production of Disneys DESCENDANTS THE MUSICAL! This camp teaches your child about teamwork, hard-work, kindness, and focus.
Camp Information
REHEARSAL LOCATION
OVER THE TOP ACADEMY OF DANCE
2423 Eastern Ave. SE
Grand Rapids, MI, 49507
PERFORMANCE LOCATION
TBA
REHEARSALS/CAMP DAYS
JUNE 23-JULY 26
Mondays || 12pm-6pm
Tuesdays || 9am-3pm
Wednesdays || OFF
Thursdays || 9am-3pm
Fridays || 9am-1pm
PERFORMANCES
Friday, July 25 @ 7:00pm
Friday, July 26 @3:00pm & 7:00pm
TUITION & REGISTRATION FEE
TBA
The Production Team
the production staff
Phoebe Dawson
(she/her)
Director
Phoebe Dawson has been OTT's Theatre Program Director & Director since the programs culmination in 2021. She is not only a director but is also a stage manager, choreographer, and performer in West Michigan. Phoebe has been working in educational theater for the past 7 years in the Grand Rapids community. She is a huge believer in the power of visual and performing arts education and is passionate about making the arts accessible and available to not only young artists but to everyone.
Erica Starks
(she/her)
Assistant Director
Erica is a rising senior in high school. She has been a part of 7 shows in the past two years: Almost Maine, Guess Who's Coming To Dinner, The Matchmaker, The Crucible, Hair (Circle Theater), Little Women, and recently Once on This Island (Civic Theater). Erica hopes to have a career in acting because of Viola Davis’ wise words, "We are the only profession that celebrates what it means to live a life. Erica is back for her 2nd year with the summer theater camp, but this time as an Assistant Director!
Hannah Cooke
(she/her)
Stage Manager
Hannah is currently a sophmore at Grand Valley State University studying Theatre and Advertising and Public Relations. Hannah has been involved with many productions at GVSU and has done a few community theatre productions as well in the Grand Rapids area. She also worked with last years summer camp at OTT Moana Jr as a volunteer and Stage Manager, and is so excited to come back for this show!
Jennifer Smith
(she/her)
Choreographer
In 2004, at 21, Jennifer Bought Over The Top Academy of Dance, her childhood dance studio from the owners who helped her develop personally and professionally. Since then, Jennifer has shown the Alger Heights community what the life skills of dance can do. One of the keys for Jennifer in building her business is her abilities as a leader and mentor/ She has an uncanny ability to identify the best talents in her students and coaches them to become champions. Jennifer's love of Tap and musicality, combined with her genuine commitment to bringing the best out her dancers allowed her to create stories. Stories her dancers could feel and would live in each piece because each dance created from a place of understanding the history and presenting it with authenticity. Because Tap dance has given her so much, Jennifer is looking to pay this goodness forward by creating opportunities for young dancers to be inspired, for teachers to find mentors and veterans of the Tap world can continue to grow and enjoy dancing.
Mackenzie Kasiorek
(she/her)
Assistant Music Director/Choreograher
Mackenzie is a student at East Kentwood High School. She has been dancing at Over The Top Academy of dance since she was 3. She is the center snare drummer for EK’s drumline, a percussionist in the school’s symphonic wind ensemble, and a drumset player in the jazz band. Mackenzie is passionate about the intersection of music and dance, especially the percussive aspect of tap dance. Her goal is help kids find a deeper connection to the instrumental nature of dancing. She is a part of the competition team as a dancer, and is the CRU multimedia communications coordinator. She is thrilled to be part of the Over The Top community and beyond excited to be returning for a third year as a teaching assistant. It’s her mission to be an inspiration to the next generation of OTT dancers who have brought her so much joy! She wants people to see that it really is so much more than dance, and that we are developing well rounded successful people. She is so thankful for the opportunities she has been given and excited to see what she can do this year!
Ajamu Bernard
(he/him)
Production Manager
Ajamu Bernard is a Community FItness Activist, a TRX master trainer and author of the Kettlebell Samurai Method. He leads education courses and hosts workshops that use storytelling and movement to share his wisdom. As a strength coach and pilates instructor he integrates bodyweight skills, Kettlebell Samurai Method and Classical Pilates to give a comprehensive mobility and strength improvement experience. Ajamu loves to run, play soccer and compete in Kettlebell Juggling Shows.
Brianna Dame
(she/her)
Counselor
Brianna Dame attends Northview High School and is going into her senior year. She has been dancing since she was five years old and has enjoyed it ever since. Her favorite genres of dance are hip-hop , tap, and helping the community. Brianna loves working with kids and teaching them how to dance. We are so excited to welcome, Brianna to Over The Top!
Naomi DeJong
(she/her)
Counselor
More about about Naomi to come!
Rylee Brown
(She/Her)
Counselor
More about Rylee to come!
Disney's DESCENDANTS THE MUSICAL is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI, 421 West 54th Street, New York, NY 10019 Phone: 212-541-4684 Fax: 212-397-4684 www.MTIShows.com.