Musical theater campers to get a taste of Broadway

Elmhurst native and Chicago theater professional Helen Knudsen returns home for three weeks this summer to offer musical theater classes to young acting and music enthusiasts entering grades four through nine.

Newly renamed Hatbox Theatrix, the company has its genesis in a group Knudsen founded 10 years ago when she was a teenager herself. Summer after summer, DIY Teen Theatre produced onstage musicals performed by young actors and musicians. Older teens taught and mentored the children, introducing them to Broadway-style singing, choreography and acting.

The focus was on using teamwork to build individual skills and improve self-confidence. The caliber of the resulting shows proved the power of young people to create quality theater experiences for family audiences.

This summer, Hatbox Theatrix will offer three separate one-week camps that achieve the same goals of mastering onstage skills, building self-confidence and working together as a team to put on a show. Mornings are dedicated to key skills, including creating characters, storytelling, vocal projection, singing technique and basic dance steps.

In the afternoon, the actors will rehearse an adapted version of one of three musicals "in the round."

Knudsen will be joined by other professional instructors, including choreographer Nina Burns and accompanist Chris Andrews.

"In-the-round - where the audience is seated all around the actors - is a very flexible, engaging method of performance, always with an emphasis on story and character," Knudsen said. "With minimal staging, props and costuming, the actors are free to get inside their roles, explore motivations, and deliver honest performances imbued with their own personalities."

By Friday of each week, the actors will be ready to perform the musical they have worked on for an invited audience of friends and family. A different Broadway show adapted for young actors is the focus of each week.

The first week, with classes from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 24-28, will feature "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown!"

The second week, from July 8 through 12, will feature "Matilda The Musical."

And the third week, from July 29 through Aug. 2, will feature "Oliver!"

For more information, visit www.hatboxtheatrix.org or call (630) 242-0570.