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. Students will have casting auditions at camp after working with faculty.

-Refillable 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 start.

Phones and other electronic devices are not allowed during class time in Children’s Center. Day students should not bring a personal device. Residential students should leave devices in their dorm room, or will turn in their device to the teacher during instructional time.

Your student will be following this basic schedule each weekday:

Day students should be dropped off at Children’s Center between 8:15 – 8:25 am (breakfast is not included for day students)

Residential Students will be walked to breakfast as a group and then to Children’s Center

8:30 am: Morning Sing/Greeting
9:00 am – 11:20 am: Morning Classes (snack provided)
11:30 am – 12:15 pm: Lunch in the Dining Hall (provided for residential and day students)
12:30 pm – 3:45 pm: Afternoon Classes (snack provided)

Day students should be picked up from Children’s Center at 4:00 pm.

Residential students will be walked as a group to afternoon activities with the RA’s.

Day students will be allowed to use the pool on Tuesday – Friday from 4:00 – 5:45 pm with the supervision of a parent or guardian. (Enrolled children only, please. No siblings or friends.) Lifeguards will be present.

Saturday classes/rehearsals are at the discretion of the teacher. Some programs will meet on the Saturday between the two week session. Please watch out for more information from the teacher. Sundays are off for everyone, with no mandatory classes held.

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.

Check out our Kids & Teens FAQ’s to learn more about summer programs