Bijou Theatre Summer Stages Programs

Get ready for a summer full of singing, dancing, acting, and unforgettable performances! Our Summer Stages programs give kids and teens the chance to build confidence, develop stage skills, and express their creativity in a fun, supportive environment. From musical theatre and superhero adventures to a two-week, teen Broadway intensive, every camper will play, perform, and shine — culminating in a polished showcase for family, friends, and the community. Join us and let your young performer step into the spotlight this summer!

The Summer Stages Musical and Acting Camps will conclude with an exceptional performance for friends and family at the Bijou Theatre at 2 pm on the last day of camp. The Bijou Broadway Revue initiative will conclude with a public performance at 7:30 pm.

Children will need to bring a bagged lunch and a water bottle. Comfortable, movable clothing and shoes are required. Sandals, flip-flops, and gum are not allowed.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER!

Musical Camp

Dates: June 1st– June 5th

Cost: $450

Ages: 9-13

Focus: Vocal Techniques, Dance Basics, Acting Basics, Musical Theatre, Improvisation, Public Speaking

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Acting Camp

Dates: June 8th – June 12th

Cost: $400

Ages: 9-13

Focus: Theatre Fundamentals, Improvisation, Character Development, Scene Study, Public Speaking

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Broadway Revue

Dates: July 20th-24th; July 27th-31st

Cost: $750

Ages: 13-18

Focus: Advanced Techniques, Scene Study, Public Speaking, Stage Direction, Collaborative Creation, and College/Professional Audition Preparation

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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!

Acting Instructor – Faith Rader

2026 marks 20 years of theatrical involvement for Faith Rader, whose most cherished onstage roles include: Ms. Honey (Matilda), Olive (The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee), Puck (A Midsummer Night’s Dream), Ensemble (American Idiot), Little Red (Into the Woods), and Viola (Twelfth Night). Behind the scenes, Faith has directed a litany of shows for youth performers, including Madagascar, Jr., Frozen, Jr., The Addams Family, and The Little Mermaid, Jr. Faith is also an original member of the long-running improv comedy team Blue Plate Special, now entering its twelfth year of improvised shenanigans. Currently, Rader is keeping busy at Greeneville’s Capitol Theatre as head instructor of Centre Stage Theatre Camp, director for Capitol KIDS, and host and side coach for Drop-In Improv, a biweekly improv workshop open to anyone with the desire to try something new and quite silly. Faith is thrilled to be joining the Bijou as the acting instructor for Summer Stages 2026.

Music Instructor – Blayne Ziegenfuss

Blayne Ziegenfuss is a voice teacher and singer based in Knoxville, TN, specializing in classical, musical theatre, and contemporary vocal technique. He is the founder and lead teacher at Ziegenfuss Voice Studio.

With over a decade of private teaching experience, Blayne has trained singers at every level — from aspiring high school performers to advanced professionals working in opera, musical theatre, and commercial music. His students have earned placements in top regional and national competitions, gained admission to prestigious high school and collegiate music programs, and received competitive talent and merit-based scholarships, including the coveted Grace Moore Scholarship at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

Blayne’s students have been admitted to leading college and conservatory programs including Cincinnati Conservatory of Music (CCM), Ball State University, Anderson University, Molloy University / CAP21, Marymount Manhattan College, and the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. He has also coached high school students who were selected to participate in the Jimmy Awards (The National High School Musical Theatre Awards) in New York City, presented by the Broadway League Foundation. His professional students have appeared with Knoxville Opera, Dollywood, and regional and national theatre companies across the country.

He is an active member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS), a certified Vocal Health First Aider through Vocal Health Education UK, and has completed 160 hours of training in the Alexander Technique. He is currently pursuing his 1600-hour Alexander Technique teaching certification through the Mind Body Music School.

As a performer, Blayne is experienced in opera, musical theatre, choral, and concert work. Opera credits include Amahl and the Night Visitors, Die Fledermaus, The Magic Flute, La Traviata, Lucia di Lammermoor, Roméo et Juliette, and I Pagliacci, among many others. Musical theatre roles include Guys and Dolls, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, and Li’l Abner. He has appeared in solo roles for works including Mozart’s Requiem, Handel’s Messiah, Mendelssohn’s Elijah, and Dixit Dominus. He has performed with UNCG Opera Theatre, Greensboro Opera, Knoxville Opera, Marble City Opera, the Knoxville Choral Society, and the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra.

Blayne holds a Bachelor of Music and a Master of Music in Vocal Performance and Pedagogy from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. His ongoing research interests include acoustic vocal pedagogy, the Alexander Technique, and holistic health for singers, including exercise and nutrition for the professional voice user. In addition to his studio teaching, Blayne presents masterclasses locally and nationally and currently studies with acclaimed voice teacher Kenneth Bozeman.

Dance Instructor – Lisa Howard Smith

Lisa Howard Smith is ecstatic to spend the summer with the talented students of the Knoxville area. She has been a substitute instructor the last two summers at the Bijou and is thrilled to be leading dance this summer. Lisa has danced her entire life, studying her craft at Birmingham-Southern College. She has worked at dance studios and choreographed for various theatrical companies. Though she is experienced in ballet, jazz, tap, hip hop, and lyrical, dancing for musicals is her favorite. She has loved performing in plays and musicals all over Tennessee. She holds a Masters in Education with the belief that empowering students with knowledge and courage is the greatest endeavor. She cannot wait to meet campers at the Bijou!