Backyard Acting Camp, Based on "Hamilton"

A dozen aspiring thespians participated in a backyard camp this summer, focused on the popular Broadway play, Hamilton. In search of a summer activity based on music and dance, three Edgewood parents of rising sixth graders reached out to a local theater company to organize a one-week backyard camp for twelve students.

“Backyard Hamilton Camp ran for a week from 9:30 – 3 pm in two Scarsdale backyards with breaks for lunch and snacks.

There are two instructors, equipped with only a keyboard led the kids in theater games, choreography exercises, small group performances and solo numbers. The kids even met a special guest on Zoom who was involved in the early development of Hamilton at the Public Theatre. The program concluded with a showcase.

According to students Avery Bower and Helen Gimbel the best part of camp was that they got to learn some “really hard, but fun choreography.” They also loved the theatre games the group plays, and competing as Team Peggy, Team Eliza and Team Angelica. Adena Zitrin added that the daily “Hamilton in Ten Minutes” was one of her favorite parts of the day. Each day they were given a different role to play. “Learning how to stage fight was an unexpected surprise,” said Jake Carter. All the girls chimed in how fun that was too!

For more information, contact Debra Asher at debraasher@yahoo.com.