MADISON – Fantasy Playhouse Children’s Theater & Academy is offering summer camps during July at Bob Jones High School.

“Fantasy Playhouse’s staff is composed of qualified teaching artists who are professionals in their fields. The academy is committed to providing high quality theatre arts education to students,” education director Candice Cooper said.

“We hope to enrich the life of your child with the arts and foster their creativity throughout the summer,” Cooper said. “Summer is the best time for forming friendships, exploring plays and growing as an artist.”

The Teen Acting Showcase, “Captain Fantastic,” takes its theme from comic books and superheroes. “Affectionately described as ‘boot camp theatre,’ Teen Acting Showcase is an exhilarating combination of theatre training and stage experience. This program requires a lot of discipline and focus and is an exciting challenge for any young actor,” Cooper said.

Actors will showcase their talents for “Captain Fantastic” in a fully developed production on July 14 at 1 p.m. at Bob Jones.

“Wacky Wonka Mania,” based on the book “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” targets young performers from five to seven years old. The campers will learn about collaboration and basic elements of staging a play. Kailey Burkhardt is director.

The ‘Wonka’ two-week camp runs July 16-20 and July 23-27 from 9 a.m. to noon. The young actors will present their public performance on July 27 at 10:30 a.m. at Bob Jones.

“For older students, there’s no place we know like our Advanced Musical Theatre Showcase, ‘Willy Wonka, Jr.’ Jacinda Rose Swinehart is director,” Cooper said.

“Students go from audition to performance in two whirlwind weeks for the showcase, ending with a fully developed production as a finale,” she said. Cast A will perform on July 27 at 11:30 a.m. and Cast B at 1:30 p.m. at Bob Jones.

In addition, registration is open for fall classes at the academy for students from three to 18 years old.

Fantasy Playhouse Children’s Theater, a 501 c(3) non-profit organization, now is serving a third generation of Alabamians as a gateway to theatre arts and arts education. Since 1961, their mission has been to bring the magic of theatre and arts education to Tennessee Valley families.

For more information about other camps and classes, call the playhouse office at 256-539-6829 or visit fantasyplayhouse.com.