Embark on a transformative summer journey at Bijou Theatre Summer Camps, where education meets the stage in a uniquely enriching experience. Tailored for students aged 9-17, our programs go beyond performance, offering a holistic approach to learning through the art of theatre. Picture yourself honing your skills and taking center stage in one of Tennessee’s oldest theatres, a setting that breathes history and inspiration.

At Bijou, we believe in the profound educational benefits that theatre imparts on young minds. From building confidence and fostering teamwork to enhancing communication skills, our camps are designed to empower youth through the expressive medium of performance arts. It’s not just about making friends and creating memories (although you’ll do plenty of that too!), but also about cultivating a lifelong appreciation for creativity and the arts.

Join us for an educational adventure where every moment is a stepping stone towards personal growth, artistic discovery, and a deeper understanding of the transformative power of theatre. Elevate your summer with Bijou Theatre, where the stage is your classroom and the lessons extend far beyond the spotlight.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Summer Stages: Acting
Dates: June 9-June 13^th
Cost: $350
Ages: 9-13
Time: 9am-3pm
Focus: Theatre Basics, Improvisation, Playwriting, Scene Study

Description: This exciting, hands-on camp is designed to build foundational acting and creative writing skills while sparking your young performer’s creativity! Throughout the week, students will dive into improv games, scene study, and scriptwriting, as they work together to write and perform their own play. By week’s end, they’ll perform an original show, written by the students,  featuring the friendly ghosts who call the Bijou home for parents and friends. It’s the perfect opportunity to let students explore their imagination and leave the stage feeling more empowered, expressive and ready to shine!

Summer Stages: Musical – SOLD OUT Click Here to be Added to the Wait List.
Dates: June 16-June 20th
Cost: $400
Ages: 9-13
Time: 9am-3pm
Focus: Vocal Techniques, Dance Basics, Acting Basics, Musical Theatre, Improv.

Description: This week’s camp session will focus on the world of musical theatre with dancing, acting, and singing as we make our way to the Emerald City. Students will learn to apply characterization into songs and dance, beginner singing techniques, learn two choreographed dances, and more. Students will work together to create a showcase for family and friends to be held at the conclusion of camp with a high-energy, large-scale medley from the Broadway and silver screen hit Wicked.

This fun-filled week will also include a sing-along, theatre games, lessons from guest artists, a karaoke pizza party, and a whole lot more!

The Bijou Theatre is proud to offer scholarships to help make our summer programs accessible to everyone.  Scholarships will not be available to all who apply. Click here to apply for a scholarship.

Each week-long camp will conclude with an exceptional performance at the Bijou Theatre at 2 pm on the last day of camp.

Friends and family are invited!

Camp Rules & Guidelines:
Creating a safe and welcoming environment for our summer camp students is vital to our staff and instructors. Please read through these rules and guidelines thoroughly with your camper to ensure a positive experience for all:

• The theatre is a judgment-free zone. Bullying or disrespectful comments will not be tolerated and will result in immediate dismissal from the camp.
• Always listen to the instructors and camp directors. The Bijou Theatre is a historic building that houses many pieces of expensive equipment. Failure to listen to safety rules when given could result in broken equipment or personal injury.
• Learn from your classmates and respect their different ideas and opinions. In the performing arts world, there is a general rule that you should learn from all. No idea is too little, and all views should be respected.
• Wear appropriate clothing to camp. No sandals or flip-flops are allowed – closed-toed shoes only. Please make sure students wear outfits that are easy to move in.
• Respect instructors’ casting decisions and applaud fellow campers if they received coveted roles, dance solos, or vocal parts. Every camper will get a unique opportunity to shine.
• Attendance is crucial for camp! Each week focuses on an ambitious lesson plan that results in a public performance at the end of the week. One missed day can drastically impact the efforts of other campers.
• Come to camp with a positive attitude and a willingness to step out of your comfort zone. That activity that scares you the most just might become your favorite or biggest skill!

Meet Your Camp Director: 
Amy Brock is a passionate theater educator and director dedicated to inspiring young performers. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Vocal Performance and a Master of Education. With eleven years of directing experience, she has led sixteen productions featuring middle and high school students, working to foster creativity and confidence in every cast. In addition to her directing work, Amy has performed with The WordPlayers and Foothills Community Players, bringing her own love of the stage to life through a variety of characters and with people she loves.

Currently Amy serves as the Director of College and Young Career at Central Bearden, where she is committed to mentoring and guiding young adults as they transition into a new and unknown phase of life. Amy also provides private voice lessons, helping students develop their vocal skills and confidence. She loves working individually with students to help uncover their natural talents and potential. Amy sees it as an honor to be a part of the Knoxville theater community and is thrilled to continue to shape the next generation of performers.

Meet Your Acting Instructor:
The Bijou’s General Manager, Nathan McGhee, will conduct this year’s acting lessons and activities.

McGhee has been involved in the theatre world for almost twenty years across the region. Locally, he has worked with (onstage and off) the Tennessee Stage Company, Encore Theatrical Company, Morristown Theatre Guild, Theatre Knoxville Downtown, and Flying Anvil Theatre. Some notable performances have included Macbeth (Witch), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Puck), Little Shop of Horrors (Seymour), The Rocky Horror Picture Show (Brad), and Sweeney Todd (Tobias). He holds seven years of dance experience and three years of vocal training. McGhee also boasts numerous national acting titles in forensics, speech and debate, and storytelling competitions.

After studying Theatre Education, he has hosted numerous camps, workshops, and educational initiatives across the region with various nonprofits and Knox County Schools. He has also directed multiple children’s theatre productions (The Hobbit: The Musical, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, Harriet Pohter the Musical, etc.) and regularly coaches acting students for local and college auditions.  He is incredibly excited to get back into the world of theatre and to help guide (and have lots of fun!) our community’s rising stars.

Meet Your Dance Instructor:
Emori Oaks has been passionate about theatre and dance from a very young age. She loves sharing this passion with others and helping them find and express themselves through dance. Some of her favorite performances include Hello Dolly (Minnie Fay), Freaky Friday (Hannah), The Revolutionists (Marie Antoinette), and The Little Mermaid (Mersister and Featured Dancer). Oaks has almost 13 years of dance training and has worked as a choreographer and dance instructor for the past three years. Her most recent choreography experience is the Marquee Award winning production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at Christian Academy of Knoxville. She is so excited to be a part of this team and help Knoxville’s future stars grow.

Meet Your Vocal Instructor:
Hannah Strong holds a bachelor’s in music from Maryville College and is currently pursuing her masters in education from Carson-Newman University. She has completed the Performing Arts Industry Essentials certification program from NYU | Tisch School of Art. Along with her studies in music and the performing arts, she has continued to develop her knowledge of vocal pedagogy through the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) through workshops and conferences annually. She is an active member of the East Tennessee Vocal Association and was the President of the East Tennessee General Music Educators Association for the 2023-2025 term.

Strong currently serves as the Choral Music Teacher at Karns Middle School where she is blessed to work with five choirs, teach general music, and leads the theatre club on campus. Her passion for the arts extends further into the community with H Vocals Studio & Events, through which she provides private voice, piano, and acting lessons, performers for holidays, weddings, and funerals, and access to arts education and workshops for local schools and organizations. She has been a director with Foothills Community Players, Creative Theatre, Appalachian Equality Chorus, and Encore Theatrical and is currently a music director with the Bijou Theatre for their seasonal musical theater workshops.

For questions or concerns, please get in touch with Nathan McGhee at nathan@knoxbijou.org or 865-522-0832 ext. 207.