Performing Arts Workshop For Keiki at Kahilu

Students entering grades 3-6 may apply to the “Keiki Performing Arts Workshop,” a free two-week summer musical theater and performing arts camp to take place from July 28 to August 10 at Kahilu Theatre.

Sessions will be from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Monday through Saturday.

Founded in 2011, KPAW introduces children to different aspects of the performing arts, supplementing schools that have been forced to cut arts education, said a Kahilu Theatre release.

KPAW students participate in numerous acting games that involve physical awareness, improvisation and quick thinking. They rehearse music numbers each day, learning lyrics, tunes and choreography for the numbers. Students also explore theater-related arts and crafts, including costuming and set design.

The final performance will be on Sunday, Aug. 10, part of Kahilu Theatre’s Family Fun Day.

Keiki Performing Arts Workshop was founded by Marena Dunnington and the teens of the Teen Theatre Troupe, now the Kahilu Youth Theatre Troupe.

From Waimea, Dunnington is now a junior at Muhlenberg College, studying theatre and education. Performing since age three, Dunnington enjoys working with kids in a theatrical setting.

“Art is so important to childhood development and to the well-being of a community, and our hope is to expose children in our community to as much art as we can so that they can learn and grow from it,” Dunnington said.

All of the KPAW teachers are college students pursuing performing art careers and will also be assisted by high school students from Waimea. Students should bring lunch, everything else will be provided.

Applications for KPAW are available at here and due by June 11. Applicants will be notified of acceptance by June 17, 2014.

KPAW is supported in part by the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts through appropriations from the Legislature of the State of Hawaii and by the National Endowment of the Arts.