Performing Arts School

We’re running a 5K! (just can’t stop with the puns)

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Notes from the Train by Alice Hamlet | May 6, 2019

Mist might be in the forecast for Sunday but that won’t stop the music.

Or the race, for the matter—when close to a thousand participants are expected to flood the Berkeley Heights Memorial Field for the 18th Annual Mother’s Day 5K, an event recently bestowed on Wharton Arts after its many years under the auspices of the YMCA. Several things will differ this year from races of yore, and here are just a few of the new and exciting additions to this family-friendly community event:

NEW THIS YEAR

  • The first 400 female finishers will receive a free Mother’s Day bracelet at the finish line. Check out these beauties!
  • Musical performances throughout the event. Wharton Arts faculty member Dave Schumacher and his jazz combo will perform on our 5K stage from 7:30-8:30 a.m. and 9:00-10:00 a.m.
  • Children’s music tent. Come explore the world of music with Wharton Arts summer camp staff! Children are invited to participate in Music Explorers demos from 8:30-10:00 a.m. with camp director Aurora Mendez! BONUS! Pick up a special summer camp discount code.
  • Text-to-donate. You can support the highest quality music education at Wharton’s three programs: the New Jersey Youth Symphony, Paterson Music Project, and Performing Arts School by texting MUSIC to 74121. Is anything simpler than texting? The money raised at the 5K goes entirely to support music education. Your donation can help change lives through the performing arts!

TRIED AND TRUE

  • Tot trot. Bring the kids! Yes, we’re serious! Families are invited to participate in the free tot trot at 10:00 a.m.
  • Prizes for the top three finishers. The top three male and female finishers in age categories 9 and under through 80+ will receive prizes! Female winners will receive special flower bouquets from Halls Garden Center. If that special mom in your life happens to also be a very fast runner, you might not need to splurge on flowers this year!
  • Run the town. The course runs through Berkeley Heights neighborhoods on rolling hills and flats and is a chip-timed, USATF-sanctioned Grand Prix event (500 points) with digital clocks at each mile.
  • Food and drinks. Bagels, oranges, bananas, and coffee will be served, as well as water for all participants.

To find out more about the Mother’s Day 5K, click here. To register for the race, click here.

When not commuting, Alice Hamlet is the Director of Marketing at the Wharton Institute for the Performing Arts and is also on the faculty of the Performing Arts School, teaching cello and music theory.

Spring Ahead with MTA

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Musical Theater Arts Blog by Timothy Maureen Cole | March 2019

We’ve sprung ahead, which means that Spring (and Summer) are right around the corner. At the Performing Arts School, the warmer weather tells us to get ready for Summer Camp!  We have options available for everyone.

If your student is a beginner, or just looking for an introduction to theater, then Theater Explorers is a great place to start. Theater Explorers is offered weekly between June 24 and August 23. Campers can attend full or half-day sessions.  Each week campers explore acting, singing, and dancing based on a theme (Moana, Coco, Harry Potter, Mary Poppins, to name a few). Full-day campers participate in technique workshops each day led by special guest artists. All campers take part in the weekly Friday showcase at 5:30 p.m. You’ll be amazed at what they can accomplish in just a week!

One week isn’t enough for your camper? We’ve still got you covered. Wharton Arts offers several multi-week camps throughout the summer. Triple Threat Musical Theater Intensive (July 8 – 19) is a two-week musical theater experience for campers 7-11. Students will experience Willy Wonka Kids from auditions to two full performances on the last Thursday and Friday of camp!

Summer Company is another chance for your camper to experience a full production in just two weeks. Campers 10-15 will audition, rehearse, and prepare for two stunning performances of Into the Woods from July 22  – August 3.  Come be a part of the magic.

Maybe your camper is more interested in just acting. Ms. Lilli’s Drama Kids is the perfect choice!  This camp focuses on acting and is held in the morning hours so that your camper can have the afternoon free for other summer activities. Drama Kids runs from August 5 – 16. Campers will prepare for a full performance of Peter Pan: Chapter 8, The Mermaids’ Lagoon. For the first time this year, Drama Kids will be working with a stage combat guest artist to prepare choreography for the show.  You won’t want to miss it!

For the dancers out there, our Hip Hop instructor Ms. Nia is back this year with Hip Hop Dance Camp from June 24 – July 3. Campers hone their skills in dance technique (Jazz, Hip Hop, Modern) during the morning, and then prepare for the Hip Hop showcase in the afternoon. Are you ready to dance?

You can find more information about all our summer camps here. Enroll by April 30th to receive 5% off your registration. We’re looking forward to another summer of fun!