Summer Theatre Camp 2024 FAQ's

PARENTS! You will get an informational “WELCOME” email exactly one week before your session begins.

When is Summer Theatre Camp at the MAC?
For 2024, Session 1 will be held July 8-12. Session 2 will be held July 15-19. Session 3 will be held July 22-26. Session 4 will be held July 29-August 2).

NOTE: A bonus week of camp has been added for 2024. Most of the information here is applicable to the bonus week, but the dates and times are different. Please refer to your “Welcome” email for specifics.

What age does my child have to be in order to attend?
Summer Theatre Camp at the MAC is for young actors ages 8 - 12. (Please note, campers must be at minimum age 8 by July 1, 2024 NO EXCEPTIONS)

Where is Summer Theatre Camp held?
Summer Theatre Camp at the MAC is held at the Milford Arts Council, 40 Railroad Avenue South in Downtown Milford. PLEASE DO NOT BLOCK THE ROAD BY DROPPING CHILDREN OFF AT THE DOOR. Please park your car and walk your children to the door for sign-in.

What is the camp like?

Each week, campers learn, rehearse and perform an original musical! Each show is written especially for this program, has three original songs and lots of fun lines and roles. There is an informal audition and rehearsals are fast-paced and super fun. Please note, the cast must memorize their lines—so there is homework each day. In addition to rehearsal, Summer Theatre Camp features improvs, theatre games and a bright, happy, air-conditioned atmosphere!

How much does Summer Theatre Camp cost?
Summer Theatre Camp at the MAC: One child per session $295.00
Siblings attending same session $275.00 (per sibling, per week)
Please note: There are no discounts available between programs. (For example, there is no discount for a child attending Summer Theatre Camp and Pantochino Teen Theatre)

What is Summer Theatre Camp’s cancellation policy?
Summer plans change. We get that. Here is the cancellation policy for Summer 2024:

• 100% Refund of Camp Registration Fee less $50.00 service fee by March 1.

• 50% refund of Camp Registration Fee by April 1.:

• Refunds will NOT be considered after April 1, 2024. NO EXCEPTIONS.

PLEASE NOTE: Camp Registrations are NON-Transferable.

Can I pay for Summer Theatre Camp online?

Yes! Registration will be available online via the Milford Arts Council website beginning February 1, 2024.

Is this camp licensed by the State of Connecticut?

Yes, this camp is licensed by the State of Connecticut Office of Early Childhood.

What time does Summer Theatre Camp begin and end?
Summer Theatre Camp at the MAC begins promptly at 9:00am and ends at 3:00pm. Please arrive on time, and be ready for pick up at 3:00pm. NOTE: The performance time on Friday will vary since there are two groups. More information on the performance time will be available once camp begins.

How does the drop-off and pick-up process work?
Summer Theatre Camp at the MAC: All pick-ups and drop-offs are held on Railroad Avenue at Milford Arts Council, the MAC. Please do not pull your vehicle up to the door of the building as you will be blocking the street. Each student will be signed in outside in front of the MAC before entering the building.

How do I contact Pantochino during the day?
Please send an email to pantochino@gmail.com This email account is monitored throughout the day by the staff.

Are Pantochino’s camps allergy free?
No, our camps are not allergy free. There are no ‘nut free’ zones.

What if my child needs medication during the day?

Parents, if your child needs to take any oral, topical, inhalant, and prepared auto-injector medication (not including sunscreen) during camp hours, please complete and submit the Medication Administration form to the MAC prior to the start of camp. All medications must be given to Camp staff upon arrival to camp. If you are sending your child to camp with an EpiPen, please be sure it is not expired.

NOTE: The Connecticut Office of Early Childhood requires all campers to provide medical records. The Milford Arts Council must receive a completed Health Assessment Record from each participant prior to first day of camp. These records should be forward to the MAC (info@milfordarts.org) , not Pantochino.

Do I need to call someone if my child is going to be absent?
Please send an email to pantochino@gmail.com. Absences are strongly discouraged as we only have four days to rehearse the show!

How many children are in each Summer Theatre Camp session?
There are 32 spots available in each session of camp. Participants will be designated to one of two groups (each group of 16 participants learns and performs the same show on any given week).

How are the children designated into two groups?

The 32 enrolled participants are randomly divided into two groups of 16. Siblings are always placed in the same group (unless specified differently). Friends may request to be in the same group if the request is made at time of enrollment. Pantochino will make every attempt to have children in the same group with their friends. Requesting your child be in the same group as multiple friends may not be possible. We try our best, but the more requests one makes, the less likely it will be for us to make everyone happy. Absolutely no changes in groups can be made in the weeks leading up to camp, or after each session has begun.

Does Pantochino provide lunch?
For Summer Theatre Camp, each child must bring their own lunch and water. Lunch break is held in the courtyard of Milford Arts Council, the MAC (weather permitting). NOTE: There is no snack break. Please make sure your young actor is fed prior to camp.

Are any packed lunch items prohibited?
Summer Theatre Camp is not an allergy-free environment, so any reasonable lunch items are welcome.

Is Summer Theatre Camp appropriate for children with physical disabilities or developmental disorders?
We include singing, dancing and acting as a part of each child’s experience While we try to make our program accessible for each child, it may not be appropriate for children who cannot handle the physical or developmental demands of learning lines, lyrics, and choreography of an original musical in four days.

How does Summer Theatre Camp handle casting?
We feel every role is important to every show. And each child will have the opportunity to read/audition for roles. Each show has 16 roles! Some young actors are anxious to play the lead role, and some are happy to have a smaller part. And we know, not everyone will get the part they desire. We ask for your support and enthusiasm following casting.

When and where are the performances?
Summer Theatre Camp at the MAC: Performances are on the Friday at the Milford Arts Council, the MAC. Each performance is approximately 30 minutes in length. There will be two performances, one for each of the two groups. Each group will only be called for their showtime on Friday. Thus, Friday is not a full day of camp. This will allow us to have all the children perform safely, and for us to clean the performance space between the shows.

How do I buy performance tickets?
Admission to performances is free! Seating is limited! Each child may only bring up to 5 (five) guests to see the performance.

Do I need to purchase costumes for my child?
We will email a ‘costume idea list’ following the first day of camp. We’re hoping you will not have to spend a penny on costumes--will keep the idea list very simple. Hopefully you can achieve the suggested looks with clothing items you may already have. Pantochino will provide specialty costume pieces (hats, vests, animal ears, etc)

PLEASE NOTE!

Summer Theatre Camp is a program of the Milford Arts Council. Registration, payment and receipts for tax purposes are all handled through the MAC.