Theater Workshop, Faculty Meeting, Bridgehampton Summer Camp 2024

We just finished our faculty meeting for Theater Workshop in Bridgehampton, summer camp 2024, minutes from Southampton and Sag Harbor, and I am very excited for our theater students this July!

We talked through how some students may be coming to us because they have more of an interest in dramatic theater, while other students may have more of an interest in musical theater. Where should the focus be? Our curriculum will be nimble, in that before Theater Workshop begins in July, we will have a conversation with each of our actors to understand their interests.  Are your interests more geared towards drama, comedy, musical theater, Shakespeare, or are you open to many different types of theater?

Based upon the interests and experience of our students, we will choose which short plays, acting exercises, and improvisation techniques to choose from. Everything flows from the concept, teach the student, not the subject.  Once you understand the student, the subject and your approach to it, comes effortlessly.

It’s also our job to introduce new ideas and materials that our new students may have not encountered. This is where the art of theater and the art of teaching meet.

See you this summer in Theater Workshop, Monday-Friday, 3-5 pm)!

Theater Workshop, Hamptons Summer Theater Camp

Theater Workshop is a summer theater camp in the Hamptons where students explore a variety of works for the stage such as short plays, musical theater, improv, and original works by the students. As students dive into the material, they will explore a variety of acting techniques (Stanislavsky, Strasberg, Stella Adler, and more). Every great actor is equipped with a wide range of skills, which is created through studying various acting techniques. Understanding these techniques and which techniques resonate with you, expands an actor's range and offers a deeper understanding of the world of acting.

Theater workshop in the Hamptons is designed to be a fun and inspiring experience where students will make new friends and build confidence while taking their acting to new heights.

Musical theater Camp in Bridgehampton This Summer, Theater Workshop

In Theater Workshop, our theater camp in Bridgehampton, we will explore scenes from a variety of Broadway and Off-Broadway plays and musicals.  We are so excited to dive into the material with students this July in this very unique theater camp in the Hamptons.

We will also explore a variety of acting techniques used in musical theater such as naturalism, realism, and stylized. Naturalism is the style of acting that most closely resembles real life. Realism is a more heightened form of acting that emphasizes the emotional truth of the character. Stylized acting uses more exaggerated gestures and expressions to convey the story. Musical theater is a unique and powerful form of storytelling that has the ability to touch hearts and minds.  

To learn more about Theater Workshop, just click on the link or give us a call at (908) 230-6079.

See you this summer on stage!

Music, Art, Dance Summer Camp in the Hamptons, Lessons From a Book About Tennis

All of our arts camps and classes in Bridgehampton, NY - Rock Camp, Diving Into Art, Dance Intensive, Explore Ceramics, and Theater Workshop - are all about exploring each type of and having a whole lot of fun along the way. We want to inspire students and have them internalize how one can rise to new heights with curiosity, practice, and team work.

It’s also worth noting one’s positive attitude and headspace plays an important role when learning something new or improving upon what you already know. There is a book called the Inner Game of Tennis which dives into this. Bill Gates says of the book, “Groundbreaking . . . [ The Inner Game of Tennis is] the best book on tennis that I have ever read, and its profound advice applies to many other parts of life.”

How does this book about tennis apply to our arts camps and classes in the Hamptons? The Inner Game of Tennis basically says that to achieve greatness on the court there is an outer game and an inner game. The outer game would include things like technique, conditioning, strength, agility, etc…. The inner game is about calming any self-doubts, fears of embarrassment, doubt, lapses in focus, or having limiting assumptions.

So how does one go about winning the inner game when it comes to say music performance? At Rock Camp and in all our programs we make sure students understand:

1. Come as You Are. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced artists, we are all learning (literally everyone). So just show up and with a can do attitude, we build from there.

2. We Are All Human. Mistakes are made all the time on stage…all the time. What’s important is you recover from those mistakes in real time.

3. With Knowledge and Practice Comes Confidence. You know those butterflies you feel before a performance? Well, they never really disappear, but something very cool happens when you starting gaining real skill and technique. That nervous energy transforms into a something that helps you and gives you momentum….it’s almost as if catch the wave and now you are riding it.

The inner game takes place within the mind of the player and is played against such obstacles as fear, self-doubt, lapses in focus, and limiting concepts or assumptions. The inner game is played to overcome the self-imposed obstacles that prevent an individual or team from accessing their full potential.

3 Things that make our Hamptons Summer Camp in the Arts a Unique Experience

In our summer camp arts programs in the Hamptons, located in the heart of Bridgehampton, Long Island, students of all ages can choose from a variety of art forms and then focus on mastering skills in either music, art, dance, and theater. Here are 3 things that make our summer art programs different.

1. Students choose a specific art form to focus on.

   If a student has an interest in music, art, dance or theater, he or she will study with master musicians, artists, dancers, and actors for several hours a day on that specific art form. Why this approach as opposed to a more general approach where students study a variety of subjects? It’s important to us that students gain concrete skills in addition to an inspiring experience. For this reason students perform in an end of the week concert or have an art exhibit or a dance recital or perform a play.

2. We are not school….This is Summer!

   Our goal is for every student to have an incredibly fun experience AND explore their interests and come out this experience 10 notches higher in terms of technique, approaches, and inspiration in their chosen field of music, art, dance, and theater. We have a very welcoming and friendly atmosphere. We feel that once students are having fun and making friends, the learning falls right into place.

3. Our Staff

So all of our teachers are experts in their field and are also busy pursuing their career in their chosen art form. Why is this important? In my experience, teachers who also performers/working artists generally can take you from point A to Point B very very quickly. They are practical. While they know theory, they are not lost in the clouds….because they know deadlines, and what it means to prepare for a recording, concert, art exhibit, play, or movie where one must learn new skills while also exercising time management.

A second feature the makes are staff special is that they love sharing their knowledge with others. We love seeing that light shine bright in students when they are inspired or understand a concept for the first time or perform in a way that they did not imagine was possible just a few days ago.

The Premier Summer Camp in the Hamptons, Music, Art, Dance, Theater

If you are looking for a different kind of summer camp experience, and curious to explore the worlds of music, art, dance, and theater this summer, then you are in the right spot. In our fine and performing arts camp in the Bridgehampton we have 5 different programs, both day camps and adult afternoon classes, where you can explore and learn new skills while having a lot of fun along the way!

MUSIC - We have Rock Camp during the day, 9-3, where students will learn up to 2 instruments, will be in a morning and afternoon bands, have electives, and perform at an end of the week concert. In the afternoons we have adult lessons from 3-5, and a program called Jazz Workshop for those interested in the world of jazz.

ART - Our art program is called Diving into Art where students learn acrylic paining in our first week and in our second week explore watercolor painting. Like in music there are electives in the afternoon and there is an end of the week student art exhibit for friends, family, and the public. Adult classes are held 3-5 pm.

DANCE - Dance Intensive is structured as a hip hop workshop and meets 3-6 pm. It is led by Carlos Neto one of the leading figures in dance, choreography, and teaching in the world (Alvin Ailey, NYU, Broadway Dance Center). This is designed with students 12-18 in mind, beginners-advanced students welcome.

THEATER - Theater Workshop is a two week program and this summer we will explore the play/musical, Little Shop off Horrors. Theater workshop meets in the afternoons, 3-6 pm.

JAZZ WORKSHOP - Jazz Workshop is an afternoon camp for middle and high school students, college students and adults that meets daily from 3-5 pm. Students play in ensembles and learn the art and craft of playing jazz in terms of rhythm, harmony, and improvisation.

For More Info and Details, Check out our Site.

Theater Camp in the Hamptons, Theater Workshop

This summer in Theater Workshop in the Hamptons, our Theater Camp in Bridgehampton, we will work on the production “Little Shop of Horrors” which is a comedy built around characters who work at a flower shop and an unusual plant that has a mind of his own. While we will be busy working on our lines, the music, and production of the play, students will learn many concepts along the way.

Along the way to our performance, our actors will learn valuable skills in communication and expression, music, time management, self-awareness, concentration, and working as a team. You should join Theater Workshop because you have an interest in theater and because it’s just fun. That’s it, plain and simple! That said, you can be assured that throughout this amazing experience you will also gain many benefits along the way that will help you grow as a person!

Check out details on Theater Workshop

Summer Camp in the Hamptons, a Different Kind of Performing Arts Camp

Tucked away in Hamptons right in Bridgehampton, New York is a summer camp dedicated to students exploring the worlds of music, art, dance, and theater. Our summer camp programs are meant to nurture that inner curiosity for the arts and build it up with skills and inspiration. We want all of our students to learn and have a whole lot of fun with their peers along the way!

In Rock Camp students from beginners-advanced, have lessons on their instrument throughout the day, perform in two different bands, and have many electives. If music is not your thing, we have an art summer camp, Diving into Art which explores acrylic painting one week and watercolor painting the next. If you love to dance, we have an amazing dance camp in the afternoon focussed on hip hop with one of the world’s leading dancers, Carlos Neto. And if you love the stage, we have a theater camp called Theater Workshop which meets for two weeks in the afternoon and will present the musical Little Shop of Horrors. In addition, we have a jazz program in the afternoon for those musicians looking to explore the world of jazz.

All of our camp programs have an end of the week concert, art exhibit, dance recital, and a theater performance. We also have adult classes in music and art in the afternoon for very beginners-advanced students.

We look forward to seeing you this summer. Whatever your passion or curiosity is in the arts, we are here to help you dive in and come out on the other side with new found skills and inspiration!

Hamptons Summer Theater Camp, Theater Workshop

As we prep for our production of Little Shop of Horrors in the Hamptons at Theater Workshop, our theater camp in Bridgehampton, NY, our music faculty is busy prepping the music for this one of a kind musical. While all of the music created by Menken is amazing, there are some clear favorites that come to mind. “Feed Me” is funny and really allows one of the main characters to show his true colors, and “Suddenly Seymour” is a stunning duet that arises when one of the main characters realizes the true character of Seymour. I am sure many more favorites will show themselves as we begin rehearsals.

You Be You: Music, Art, Dance, and Theater Camps in Bridgehampton, NY and Lebanon, NJ

One of the benefits for those that come to our summer camps and classes in the Hamptons and New Jersey, Rock Camp, Jazz Workshop. Diving into Art, Dance Intensive, and Theater Workshop is that you are doing two things at the same time.

I once has a teacher that asked me what was a guitar. What is it? Well, it’s carved wood with steel or nylon strings, etc… The teacher shook his head, no, no, no. He smiled and said the guitar is a reflection of you! When you are studying to learn and master an art form this concept becomes more apparent every day. Through learning an art form you start to learn more and more about yourself. The second thing you realize is that while it’s important you work on your individual skills, it is also important to work well with others, to cooperate, challenge and support your fellow musicians, artists, dancers, and actors. These two ideas are not only important in the arts, but life in general!

Looking forward to seeing everyone this July!

An Inner Confidence Rises Up, Music, Art, Dance, Theater Camp in the Hamptons

Through the years I have noticed an inner confidence emerge from students in our music, art, dance, theater camp in the Hamptons and New Jersey. Something happens when someone throws himself or herself into something and creates something that they never thought was possible.

When students arrive at our music camp, our art camp, our theater camp, and our dance camp in the Hamptons and New Jersey, there is a mix of excitement and maybe a bit of nervous energy. It’s amazing to see how this feeling transforms into a certain confidence that comes through performance and sharing your talents with your peers, family, and the public. It’s not showy…it’s a kind of quiet, inner confidence that radiates outward that’s built on accomplishments that they have seen through on their own with their fellow musicians, dancers, artists, and actors.

Summer Performing Arts Camp in the Hamptons and New Jersey, Music, Art, Dance, Theater

If you have a passion for either music, art, dance, or theater, we welcome you to our summer camp in the Hamptons, Long Island, or our campus in Lebanon, New Jersey. Our summer camps are for all ages (Adults, College, High school, and middle school) and include Rock Camp, Jazz Workshop, Diving Into Art, Dance Intensive, and Theater Workshop. Wherever your passion lies, we have you covered, and encourage you to dive in and get inspired this summer.

Give us a call or email and we can tell you more, (908) 230-6079, HMSRockCamp@gmail.com.

• In Rock Camp students having morning and afternoon lessons, morning and afternoon bands, electives, and perform at the end of the week for friends, family and the public.

• In Jazz Workshop students perform in ensembles, learn to improvise, and understand how harmony works. Students perform a concert for friends, family, and the public.

• In Diving Into Art students learn acrylic painting in Session I (July 18-22, Hamptons) and Watercolor Painting (July 25-29, Hamptons). There are electives in the afternoon and each week culminates with a public exhibit at the end of the week.

• In Dance Intensive students engage in our hip hop workshop taught by one of the leading dancer/choreographers in the dance world, Carlos Neto (Alvin Ailey, Broadway Dance Center, NYU). There is a performance at the end of the week for family, friends, and the general public. (July 18-22 only, Hamptons).

• In Theater Workshop students will perform the musical Little Shop of Horrors. This camp is two weeks long, July 18-22 and then July 24-28 in the Hamptons.

Diving Into the Roots of Rock, Rock Camp & Jazz Workshop, Summer Music Camp in Long Island and New Jersey

At our music camp in the Hamptons, Long Island and New Jersey, we make sure to understand our roots and where the music comes from, the heroes, innovators, and creative spirit of those sung and unsung. So what makes Fats Domino of New Orleans so important in the growth of rock?

First off, Fats Domino was from New Orleans. Well, we know New Orleans as the birthplace of jazz, and of course blues is a cousin to jazz, living side-by-side. A piano style developed out of jazz and blues and Fats knew it well, Boogie Woogie. This involves a driving left hand pattern in the left hand and the right hand plays syncopated lines on top of usually played over the blues or a song with changes that reflect I, IV, V harmony of the blues. Great musicians of this style include Gene Ammons, Professor Longhair, Meade Lux Lewis, and later rock-n-roll musicians like Jerry Lee Lewis, Little Richard, and Fats Domino. Professor Longhair’s music had something else to it, a distinctly New Orleans rhumba-rhythm infused in the music which was very influential to great musicians like Dr. John and Allen Toussaint.

In the 1950’s Fats was able to infuse his music with a triplet feel and his song “The Fat Man” went to #2 on the R&B charts. The site SPClarke.com explains it well down below:

“The Fat Man” is often referred to as the first Rock and Roll song, although such assertions will always be the subject of great dispute. As far as Fats was concerned, he was merely playing the same sort of music he had been playing in New Orleans for years. Referring to being called the “Father of Rock and Roll,” Domino, himself, later said, “Well I wouldn’t want to say that I started it, but I don’t remember anyone else before me playing that kind of stuff.” Whatever the case, Fats Domino was suddenly a Rhythm and Blues star.

This led the way to rock-n-roll hits like Blueberry Hill.

But we all know everything comes from something else, and when we peel things back we also have to give a shout out to the great musician Little Willie Littlefield. His song of 1949, It’s Midnight, pre-dates Fats Domino and he is credited as someone who helped popularize the triplet feel in the music.

Music just goes its own way, and if you like it becomes a part of you. It’s cool that the B-side of the 1985 Paul McCartney single "Spies Like Us", entitled "My Carnival" was recorded in New Orleans and dedicated to Professor Longhair. And if you listen to the Beatles song Oh! Darlin you hear how it’s rooted in the sound and rhythm of many of these innovative and creative shining stars of early rhythm and blues, boogie woogie, and rock-n-roll.

Art Camp in the Hamptons, Long Island this Summer, Diving Into Art

Diving Into Art is a camp for students (M-F, 9-3 pm) and in the afternoons there are classes for adults as well (M-F, 3-5 pm) in Bridgehampton, NY. Each week we explore a different aspect of art with our afternoons dedicated to electives.

This summer July 18-22 we explore acrylic painting and there will be electives in the afternoon such as anime drawing, charcoal drawing, creating self-portraits and more. The week of July 25-29th is dedicated to watercolor painting with electives in the afternoon as well.

Our adult classes will also explore acrylic painting the week of July 18 and the watercolor painting the week of July 22.

We have all the paint, brushes, and materials. Just come as you are and be ready to dive in! See you in July!!