Bridgewater State University's Arts for Youth

MIXED MEDIA

Some of our classes at AfY defy categorization, and so we end up including these classes under the heading MIXED MEDIA!  These classes usually fill quickly, but we also offer shorter projects from each class in a “workshop” form, so that each camper can get a hint of what Radio Drama, Puppetry, and Scrapbooking is all about!

RADIO DRAMA

AfY is the proud owner of a multi-track, digital recording system, and therefore we can offer the kids at camp the excitement of hearing their own voice on tape, as we record both original and old-time, classic radio drama scripts!  Campers learn to use their voice effectively for radio, and they experiment with inventing a variety of sound effects to make their radio “shows” more dramatic, or scary, or funny!  The campers also write and record original songs and commercials as part of the class, and they each get a featured role on at least one original WAFY Radio Talk Show!  These radio actors create new and interesting (and often, wacky) characters and scenarios on a weekly basis, and of course these AfY radio scripts get aired as part of our entertaining 12:30 daily Revue!

RADIO & VIDEO ACTING

This class is offered to campers ages 7-9, who are interested in both radio and film acting.  Campers will have fun improvising their own material, and then the class will work together to produce weekly original radio programs, as well as create several short films.  As always, the focus is on nurturing the creativity and imagination of the campers, as they develop ideas for dynamic, dramatic, or comedic characters that are heard in a radio script, or seen in a short video! Campers will also have the opportunity to create wacky sound effects for the radio portion of class, and they will all help create the outline for each original video.  So if you love to act, make up stories, and create wacky, original characters, then this is the class for you!

 PUPPETRY

In this class designed for children ages 7-9, campers will create a variety of puppets, and then use these puppets to act out original songs, poems, or short stories.  These puppeteers develop their drama skills, and their creativity flourishes, as they invent a ‘history’ for their individual puppets, and then improvise scenes with other puppets made by their classmates.  The campers learn to use their voice effectively as puppeteers, and they also learn how to use creative movement and gestures in order to make their puppet come alive for an audience!  In the second half of the camp session, campers work on creating puppets, props, and scenery for a longer script that is shared with family and friends on Arts Fest Day.  Of course, at least once during the session, the Puppetry class is invited to present a sampling of their work in our 12:30 revue.  Sample puppets from past classes include:  sponge puppets, finger puppets, sock puppets, cloth stick puppets, large, human-sized puppets, and “spoon” puppets!

MAGICAL MASK MAKING

In this fun, new AfY visual arts class, campers will explore different approaches to mask making, as they create several different styles of masks.  Throughout the class, campers will work with a variety of materials including Paper Mache, Metal, Card Stock, Beads, Feathers, Ribbon, Fabric, Sequins, paint, and more!  Masks have been made for thousands of years by cultures around the world, and campers will draw inspiration from these diverse cultures as they design and build their own masks.  This class will be team taught, and open to campers 7-12.