Grace Arts Live Summer Workshop Builds Life Skills For Children

By Elijah Aston

Grace Arts Live hosts a theater summer workshop for children every year. There are three, two-week sessions that children can choose from where they learn the basics of theater before learning and performing a musical.

This year, Grace Arts Live is performing “Alice in Wonderland” for its summer workshop.

The children start as young as 4 years old – if they’ve been a part of Arizona Coast Performing Arts’ Fine Arts Club – spanning all the way to eighth-grade students.

Every child in the workshop performs in the musical, ensuring everyone gets the full experience

The participants arrive on Monday, learning the rules of theater and getting accustomed to the arts.

On Tuesday, they learn about the process for auditions before auditioning on Wednesday.

By Thursday, the children are assigned their roles and begin learning the musical.

Friday is their dress rehearsal in the afternoon where they perform in front of children in the Parks and Recreation summer program, followed by their opening performance on Friday night.

Director Lauren Blain teaches the children during this two week process.

Blain said, “It is a very fast process, the kids learn fast, but it is definitely more of a learning experience. You’re not going to see the same caliber of show you would come to see at Grace Arts if you saw a normal main season show.”

Grace Arts Live's Summer Workshop performs "Alice in Wonderland"

Elijah Aston/RiverScene

The participants of the workshop learn lines, music and blocking all within the week of rehearsals.

“It gives our younger students a time where they get to perform some of the lead character roles, which they might not get to perform other times,” Blain said.

Since there are three sessions of workshops, three different casts learn the same show and perform on their final weekend of workshop.

The workshop also provides an opportunity for high school students to work backstage. They work as crew members and assistants with the children.

Parents and community members can come see the performances by purchasing tickets at graceartslive.com. Tickets are $10 for children and $15 for adults.

Here are some photos from Grace Arts Live’s Summer Workshop: