Curtain Up! An Adventure in Theatre

This is an open-admission program for all interested students, regardless of their level of experience (or lack thereof). Instructors will work with your child at their level. Your child will improve and learn new skills, whether they are a beginner or have been acting and performing for years. They do, however, need to be willing to project their voices and act onstage.

Students will be asked to send in a video of themselves doing a 1-minute Classical monologue, using vocal projection for the stage. Instructions for submitting the video will be sent closer to the start of the program.
Please note that this video will not impact your child’s admission to the program; this is an open-admission program for students of all skill levels. Rather, the video will be utilized to determine your child’s skill level and to help with planning for the production that the students will work on.
Please also note that although this is an open admission program (no formal audition is required upon entry), students will have casting auditions at camp after working with faculty.

Water bottle (very important)
Comfortable clothes you can move in during rehearsals
Long, Black leggings or pants
Black tights
Black knee high socks
White tank top/undershirt
Black tank top/undershirt to wear underneath as needed (and for modest quick changes)
Black, comfortable, flat, closed-toed shoes (a jazz or ballet shoe, a mary-jane or an all black sneaker work best. No heels, no open toes, no sandals)
Lipstick and blush (natural colors)
Hair elastic/scrunchie to keep hair away from your face for acting

You may be required to bring additional items pertaining to the specific production. We will communicate with enrolled students on those needs prior to the program.

Dimyana Pelev, native of Bulgaria, is an energetic artist who has been practicing her theatrical skills for 26 years. An award winning actress, director, choreographer and singer, Pelev has also worn the hats of designer, writer and lyricist. For 24 years Pelev has served as resident choreographer for Stars of Tomorrow Children’s Theater, a company devoted to producing quality theater and an exceptional learning experience for youth. In addition to teaching youth, Pelev has co-created an advanced acting program specifically for teens and just recently directed a seventh annual showcase. Some of Pelev’s credits include work with puppetry, masks, stage combat, acrobatics and ensemble music. Pelev annually directs and choreographs for Kimberly Juniors Etiquette Academy, leading 100+ high-school girls in a musical spectacular.

Pelev has taught visual and performance art at Packinghouse Christian Academy and a variety of Musical Theater, Acting, Singing and Performance classes at Idyllwild Arts Academy, Chaffey College, Azusa Pacific University and the University of Redlands.

Pelev has an album “Christmas Night” featuring holiday favorites, classically remixed, and original music, available on iTunes. Pelev has had the pleasure of choreographing and directing for prestigious theatrical companies all over Southern California in addition to teaching ballet, musical theater movement, tap and jazz for several years. Pelev has studied at LAMDA, New London Theatre, and holds a B.A. in Theatre Arts with an emphasis on directing and children’s theater from the University of Redlands and her M.A. in Theater Directing from Regent University.