Theatre in the Park

One of our most popular camps! Kids Create and perform their own story!

Fairies? Zombies? Thieves? Scientists? Mermaids? Werewolves? Pirates? Villians? Royalty? Anything goes!!
Kids will create their own short theatrical production from script to performance! Campers will spend the week both inside and outside inventing their own story, developing characters and creating a script. They will also practice audition techniques. We will then work to make a set, props and costumes.  Students will get an introduction to all aspects of theater including stage and use of space, learning how to use their speaking voice, beginning acting techniques and a glimpse into all of the collaboration that goes on behind the scenes of a theatrical production.  There will be game playing to introduce concepts and art projects to create sets and props. We will use all of their fun creative ideas to create a show for parents.   We will showcase our hard work at the end of the week in a nearby park.  Bring your picnic blanket and charcuterie and enjoy a warm summer evening watching our original production. (Location TBD, rain plan indoors)
The Waukee Camp will be hold the final performance at Jester Park’s amphitheater on the last Friday of the camp. If weather does not permit the outdoor venue, we will perform in the classroom at Waukee.
Ankeny camp will have their final performance in the theatre in Ankeny.

WAUKEE

JUNE 9th-13th 9am-12pm Ages: Incoming 2nd through 5th graders Cost: $210

JUNE 21st-25th
9am-12pm Ages: Incoming 2nd through 5th graders Cost: $210

ANKENY

JUNE 16-JUNE 20th 9am-12pm Ages: Incoming 2nd through 5th graders Cost: $210

REGISTRATION for these camps will open through Waukee School District Registration Portal or Ankeny Community Ed both on Friday March 7th at 8am. We will provide the link below to register for each location once it is available. (While the camp registers through Waukee and/or Ankeny, it is open to any student.)

OUTDOOR GIRLS ADVENTURE CLUB

We will post opportunities to gather some girls for some outdoor adventure this summer! Check back for a list of dates and events. We are still putting things together with dates and pricing. You can join for one or all!

GIRLS AGES INCOMING 8th-10th.

NEW: CommunicaTEEN

BRAND NEW CAMP ON TEENS AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS!

This camp is for the transitioning teen as they move toward and within high school. This camp will explore ways to navigate situations through effective ways of communicating. In a world where kids are glued to their phones, we will discuss positive communication behaviors and etiquette. We will use improv to explore situations that are sometimes challenging to manuever  ie friendships, dating, social media, etiquette, entering a new group, body language, talking to teachers, applying for jobs, working with coaches, basic life skills. We will have visits from upper high school classmen, business leaders, life coaches, sports coaches etc. This camp is designed to instill confidence, leadership skills, and helping young teens apply themselves to be successful people out in a crazy world!

This camp is for incoming 9th and 10th. If you have a incoming middle schooler interested we may add a camp. Please let us know here.

WAUKEE

JUNE 9th-JUNE 13th 9am-12pm Ages: Incoming 9th and 10th graders Cost: $250

JULY 14th-JUNE 18th 9am-12pm Ages: Incoming 9th and 10th graders Cost: $250

AUG 4th-AUG 8th 9am-12pm Ages: Incoming 9th and 10th graders Cost: $250

REGISTRATION for this camps will open through Waukee School District Registration Portal Friday March 7th at 8am. We will provide the link below to register once it is available. (While the camp registers through Waukee, it is open to any student.)

Wizardry Camp at the Salisbury House!

This ultimate immersive camp continues to be one of our top camps! This camp sells out quickly.

PLEASE NOTE: This camp will only be for FIRST years this year. If you are a returning camper we will keep a waitlist to be added in if the camp does not fill. We are also looking to add a camp for olders or those returning campers the week of Aug 11th. This is still tentative.

The week will start with an invite to the student’s home to attend our Wizardry Camp. They will arrive at the platform on the Monday of the camp at 9am sharp to be transported to our favorite magical world!  The kids will experience sorting, playing Quidditch on the lawn, creating potions, magic, picking and making wands, daily owl deliveries and many other fun activities and surprises and special guests!  If you have a fan in your house, this will be an immersive experience that your child will always remember!

Check out our FB video for more information about the camp

JUNE 23rd-27th 9am-12pm Ages: Incoming 3rd through 6th graders Cost: $250

JULY 7th- 11th
9am-12pm Ages: Incoming 3rd through 6th graders Cost: $250

POTENTIAL TEEN CAMP AUG 11th. If interested let us know here.

REGISTRATION for this camps will open Friday March 7th at 8am.

NEW: LITTLE WAGS DISNEY MUSICAL THEATRE CAMP

This new camp is designed for our youngest students. Explore music and drama through fun games, crafts, sing a longs, dance, and activities inspired by all things Disney! Camp is created to give confidence, team building, and inspire creativity. Campers must be fully potty trained and bathroom independent.

WAUKEE

JUNE 9th-June 13th 9am-11am Ages: 4-7 Cost: $185

JULY 14th-June th 9am-11am Ages: 4-7 Cost: $185

ANKENY

JUNE 16th-June 20th 9am-11am Ages: 4-7 Cost: $185

REGISTRATION for these camps will open through Waukee School District Registration Portal or Ankeny Community Ed both on Friday March 7th at 8am. We will provide the link below to register for each location once it is available. (While the camp registers through Waukee and/or Ankeny, it is open to any student.)

Middle School Theatre in the Park

Our very popular Theater in Park will be offering a middle school track! We have been offering this camp for a several years with a lot of repeat students who are aging out! This class will work with middle school themes to create a fun performance. Students will start to learn the fundamentals of structuring a play and early concepts around writing one. Students will drive the content, production, and artistic components that go into creating and writing a show.
The Waukee Camp will be hold the final performance at Jester Park’s amphitheater on the last Friday of the camp. If weather does not permit the outdoor venue, we will perform in the classroom at Waukee.
Ankeny camp will have their final performance in the theatre in Ankeny.

WAUKEE

JULY 7th-July 11th 9am-12pm Ages: Incoming 6th through 8th graders Cost: $210

ANKENY

JUNE 23rd-JUNE 27th 9am-12pm Ages: Incoming 6th through 8th graders Cost: $210

REGISTRATION for these camps will open through Waukee School District Registration Portal or Ankeny Community Ed both on Friday March 7th at 8am. We will provide the link below to register for each location once it is available. (While the camp registers through Waukee and/or Ankeny, it is open to any student.)

MASTERS BROADWAY MUSICAL INTENSIVE

MASTERS BROADWAY MUSICAL INTENSIVE with Chicago artists Kyle and Rylie featuring Broadway Actors joining for masters classes throughout the week.

We are bringing back this highly successful camp for a second year. We will be featuring the show WICKED (hardly a surprise lol!) We may be adding a second Broadway pairing to this week so check back in a few weeks! We will work on music, music theory and harmonies, character development and choreography. There will be a performance the final day of camp. Click here to see clips from years past!

Broadway Actors will join to workshop selections that student’s prepare. There will be a final performance for parents on the last day.

This is an audition only camp for young artists incoming 7th-10th grade. Audition info below.

AUDITION INFORMATION:
This will be an audition only camp. AUDITIONS DUE BY April 30th. We may have call back auditions as well. We encourage you to submit sooner than later as the camp does fill. You are welcome and encouraged to send auditions prior to the opening of registration.
VIDEO AUDITION: Please submit a video of your student to lisa@wagnersummertheater.com. Please prepare 16 bars of a favorite song. Piano or karaoke track is fine for a backing track. Please intro your piece with your name, experience, and why you are interested in this camp. Please also share the name of your selection and why you chose it. If you don't have a piece prepared, singing Happy Birthday or another standard is an option. If you have interest but not sure about your experience, please submit anyway. We encourage everyone to submit!! This is a masters level camp but if you are excited about the content but at the beginning of your musical experience and knowledge that is ok. Students who submit and are selected will then be given a link to register. Auditions must be submitted by April 30th.

All students will be selected by May 15th and will have pre-work assigned prior to attending the camp. This will consist of learning music through tutorials given by our instructors. The hope is that students come prepared to take the music and performance to the next level.

WAUKEE

JUNE 23rd-JUNE 27th 9am-4pm Ages: Incoming 7th through 10th graders Cost: $380

If selected REGISTRATION for this camp will open through Waukee School District Registration Portal on Friday March 7th at 8am. If accepted, we will email you the link below to register for those selected once it is available. It will require a password to register. (While the camp registers through Waukee, it is open to any student.)

We are accepting video auditions now

Once accepted a link with a code to register will be sent to you.

SWIFTIES Pop Star Camp!

Young students will get a chance to learn all about their favorite pop star...Taylor Swift! Dance, sing, and perform Taylor Swift songs all week. Students will also create their own persona as a popstar and get some introduction to muscial instruments and choreography. Students will work on a performance for parents at the end of the week. No previous music or vocal experience necessary.

WAUKEE

JUNE 16th-JUNE 20th 9am-12pm Ages: Incoming 2nd through 5th graders Cost: $210

JULY 14th-JULY 18th 9am-12pm Ages: Incoming 2nd through 5th graders Cost: $210

ANKENY

JULY 21st-JULY 25th 9am-12pm Ages: Incoming 2nd through 5th graders Cost: $210

REGISTRATION for these camps will open through Waukee School District Registration Portal or Ankeny Community Ed both on Friday March 7th at 8am. We will provide the link below to register for each location once it is available. (While the camp registers through Waukee and/or Ankeny, it is open to any student.)

Sports Broadcasting Camp!

This class will give students a glimpse into the world of all things sports broadcasting. Kids will get a first hand look at what all goes into a sports broadcast. Students will work with several area sports franchises and talent! The week kicks off with a visit from our own Scott Reister, sports announcer for KCCI Channel 8. We are also EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE the voice of the Cyclones, JOHN WALTERS, will not only visit but host us for a morning up in Ames!! Students will be bussed up to Ames to get an inside look at Jack Trice Stadium and Hilton Coliseum. John will share what all happens during a live broadcast. Don’t worry, we still will have the Iowa Cubs job shadow experience as well this week! Students will attend a night game and shadow different roles, meet players and put on a mock press conference. The week ends with participants creating their own sports broadcast! It’s busy high energy week but a TON of fun! Cost includes ticket to ball game and a bus ride.

JULY 28nd-Aug1st 9am-12pm Game experience will be Thursday July 31st 6:38pm Ages: Incoming 5th through 9th grade Cost: $320

REGISTRATION for this camp will open through Waukee School District Registration Portal Friday March 7th at 8am. We will provide the link below to register once it is available. (While the camp registers through Waukee, it is open to any student.)

Wicked: Musical Theatre Camp

Campers will have a blast singing and performing some of our favorite songs from WICKED. Surprise Surprise!! lol!

Everyone gets a part! Those with more experience may have opportunity for bigger roles and mentorship of our newbies to theatre.

During this fun-filled week, campers will spend time playing drama games, sharpening their actor “tools”, and rehearsing our version of the show WICKED! Students will also go through an audition process to get cast in their role. We will touch on best practices for auditioning. On the final day, there will be a performance of a unique adaptation of the movie musical including the characters. The performance will include acting, singing, and movement to our favorite songs from WICKED. This final performance is usually at Valley Staplin auditorium. This year they will be under construction. We will be announcing the location in the next couple of weeks, along with the date. It will be the week of July 28th or Aug 4th. Please check back in the next week or two! Note the performance will be from 4:00-5:00 on the final Friday of the camp.

Focus of Camp:
• Learn fun song-and-dance numbers from WICKED
• Learn about props and costumes. (This year we are running a concurrent tech camp to create some set pieces!)
• Perform in a final showcase for family and friends.

Workshops around:
Character development
Vocal techniques

WEEK IS STILL PENDING July 28 or Aug 4th due to construction at Valley- check back soon for updated details. 9am-4pm Ages: Incoming 3rd through 8th grade Cost: $340 Location: TBD

REGISTRATION for this camp will open Friday March 7th at 8am. Link will be added.

FRIDAY NIGHT LIVE:
SKETCH COMEDY IMPROV CAMP

Our teaching artists are from Chicago and currently have a show running at Second City in Chicago. Second City is a huge training ground for stars of Saturday Night Live!

I was in LA this past year and saw a children’s troupe but their own version of a Saturday Night Live on for parents and it was HILARIOUS! I thought we HAVE to do this!

Think Saturday Night Live (keeping it clean of course).Students will work in groups creating and writing sketch comedy to be performed for parents on Friday of the camp.
They will learn improv skills and the art of writing comedy and character development.

This camp will be in partnership with XBK venue near drake and students will perform on their stage with lights, mics and all! Due to the speech and debate contest we are not sure if it will be run through Waukee with the last day at XBK, or the entire week will be at XBK. Updates to come in the next couple of weeks!

JR SESSION:
June 16th-June 20th 9am-12pm Ages: Incoming 5th through 7th grade Cost: $225 Location:TBD Waukee or XBK

JR SESSION:
June 16th-June 20th 1pm-5pm Ages: Incoming 8th through 10th grade Cost: $225 Location:TBD Waukee or XBK

REGISTRATION for this camp will open Friday March 7th at 8am. Link will be added.

SNKRS CAMP! SHOE DESIGN CAMP

This is THE camp for your sneaker head. We launched last year to a sold out camp of 30 kids! We have a VERY exciting agenda with special guests from across the country joining us virtually.

We are hoping to bring back RAMI THE ICON (famous sneaker YouTuber with over 1.5M followers) from CoolKicks in LA the week of the camp! He is checking his schedule! More to come or a new exciting guest!

We also confirmed Colin Behr, ISU grad. He was a Sr. product Designer for Nike and was on the Jordan special projects and collaborations team....did I say Travis Scott??! He is now launching some of his own exciting endeavors!

We are bringing back our local sneaker lover, Claude Wilkins, as our host for the week! He owned Sole Nest, a Nike Resale shop, and is a huge sneaker head!

Students will be designing and marketing their own shoes!  

Students will learn about marketing, creating and investing in the sneaker re-sale business. At the end of the week they will be pitching their own brand/creation/concepts/collabs to parents with their shoe design. There will be opportunity for students to purchase Nike Air Force 1 low’s at a discounted price if they would like to bring them to camp to design. This is not necessary, but most kids opt for this. They are also able to bring Vans or another shoe but would not be part of the bulk discounted buy.

WAUKEE

June 23th-27th 9am-12pm Ages: Incoming 6th through 9th graders Cost: $275

ANKENY

June 16th-20th 9am-12pm Ages: Incoming 6th through 9th graders Cost: $275

REGISTRATION for these camps will open through Waukee School District Registration Portal or Ankeny Community Ed both on Friday March 7th at 8am. We will provide the link below to register for each location once it is available.

NEW: DUELING PIANOS CAMP

OK who has teens who have quit or are starting to hate piano BUT they are GOOD??!!! OR your child has taken for a while and LOVING it and wants to show off those skills!
OR anything in between…

This camp is for them!

We are excited to announce the host of this camp is none other than Des Moines’ founder of the top dueling piano act, Tony Bohnenkamp. Have you heard of Pianopalooza Dueling Piano’s? That’s him! He is also a former member of the band the Nadas! (Fun Fact: My old band opened for the Nada’s back in the day in Chicago! They were great!)

This camp is for the intermediate and above piano player who wants to to translate those skills to a fun/ny show. Students will work to study a catalogue of popular songs throughout the eras.  They will navigate playing on the spot, reviewing chord structures, bringing humor and improv together as they create a dueling piano show. The final performance will be the Friday of the camp at XBK!.

This camp is for the intermediate player who understand chords, key signatures and scales. Must be a proficient piano player. We aren’t looking for Mozart but must have some knowledge of piano.

We are working on options for each player to have a keyboard. This may include rental options. It will be helpful if they already have a keyboard they could bring, but not necessary.

WAUKEE

June 7th-July 11 9am-12pm Ages: Incoming 7th through 10th grade Cost: $225

REGISTRATION for this camp will open through Waukee School District Registration Portal Friday March 7th at 8am. We will provide the link below to register once it is available. (While the camp registers through Waukee, it is open to any student.)

NEW: RAP BATTLE CAMP (Elementary and Teen Session)

This is a NEW camp will have students working with award winning rapper, Coldsaint. His raps are motivating and clean. (Every parents dream!) The objective will be to Introduce hip-hop culture, its history, and its role as a form of self-expression. Campers will build confidence through creative exercises. Students will be taught the basics of lyric writing and storytelling in hip-hop. Musical elements will include and introduction to rhythm, flow, and how to deliver lyrics confidently. Collaboration and teamwork through the creation of a group song will be part of the week. We will celebrate the students’ work through performances that includes a fun rap battle for parents

WAUKEE

RAP BATTLE ELEMENTARY
July 7th-July 11th 9am-12pm Ages: Incoming 4th through 6th grade Cost: $210

RAP BATTLE TEEN
July 14th-July 18th 9am-12pm Ages: Incoming 7th through 10th grade Cost: $210

REGISTRATION for this camp will open through Waukee School District Registration Portal Friday March 7th at 8am. We will provide the link below to register once it is available. (While the camp registers through Waukee, it is open to any student.)

Sports Boys Choir

We are looking for boys who sing for upcoming anthem opportunities with local franchises. Opportunity to sing the National Anthem with Iowa Cubs, Des Moines Bucs and other franchises being added. This will include Harmony singing and solo opportunities. Once we have the group identified, we will put together rehearsals. Time commitment minimal to start. Once we pilot this we will gauge and put together a more formal plan.

SUMMER OPPORTUNITY FOR BOYS INCOMING 8th through 10th.

If interested let us know here.