Is there a young person in your house who’s just gotta be onstage?
Gotta Sing! Gotta Dance! is returning for the summer, and young performers aged nine to 19 are invited to take part once again. The program runs at the Jewish Community Centre of Greater Vancouver, with two sessions over the summer: one from July 2 to 25, and one from Aug. 6 to 29. Programs run Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily.
The program has been running for the past 24 summers, bringing together young performers from across the province and other parts of Canada and the U.S. The participants learn about all aspects of musical theatre from a team of professional instructors, including directors, choreographers, musicians and actors, all of whom work in their respective fields.
This year’s teaching staff includes musical directors Wendy Bross Stuart and Diane Speirs, director Chris McGregor, choreographers Anna Kuman, Jason Franco, Keri Minty and Meghan Anderssen, acting coach Amanda Testini, and Mariana Munoz and Charlie Beaver for set construction and costume coordination.
Serious musical theatre students can also attend the Finishing School, which runs 10 sessions from 3:15 to 5:15 p.m., focusing on audition technique, presentation of songs, scene work and intensive dance workshops, as well as encounters with well-known theatre professionals.
There will also be a Boot Camp Dance program for those new to dance or who want to refine their skills.
The program winds up in a final production at the Rothstein Theatre – this year’s is called Hamilton … Ontario – that features an original script and a wide range of music from Broadway and movie musicals.
Interested youth must apply by April 1. See  for all the details and application forms.
