Step into the spotlight. We offer classes and camps for all ages to build confidence, creativity, and theatrical skills in a fun, supportive environment.
Give your kids a summer they will never forget!
Ready to trade your sneakers for a character’s shoes? Acting is the ultimate magic trick—it’s about stepping onto the stage as yourself and transforming into someone entirely new before the audience's eyes!
Whether you’re playing a misunderstood villain, a comedic hero, or a dancing star, this camp is your backstage pass to total transformation. We’re diving deep into:
Script Secrets: Master line readings that bring your character’s voice to life.
The Big Stage: Perfect your character’s unique moves through dance and song.
The Grand Finale: Show off your brand-new persona in a live performance on the very last day!
Join us this summer and get ready to dance like a newsie! This camp is a tap camp that will teach students the basics of musical theatre tap, fun combinations, completely inspired by the Disney musical, Newsies! Campers will build confidence, learn choreography, and work together as an ensemble. The week ends with a short performance for family and friends!
Register NowPre camp meeting (auditions): Saturday, May 16 (9 - 11 AM)
Show dates:
June 19: 7 PM
June 20: 3 PM and 7 PM
June 21: 3 PM
2 weeks til Opening! In this camp we will do everything needed to put on a show in only 2 weeks! Rehearsals, dancing, singing, acting, making props, getting costumes, making a set. Ready or not... a full weekend of shows! This summer's show is JUNGLE BOOK Kids - come swing through the trees and take a walk on the wild side this summer
Have fun creating a performance of a fairy tale (campers will help choose) while learning how a show comes together. Campers will learn acting skills, learn a dance and do arts and crafts while putting together a performance.
Register NowPre camp meeting (auditions): Saturday, May 16 (Noon - 2 PM)
Show dates:
June 26: 7 PM
June 27: 3 PM and 7 PM
June 28: 3 PM
2 weeks til Opening! In this camp we will do everything needed to put on a show in only 2 weeks! Rehearsals, dancing, singing, acting, making props, getting costumes, making a set. Ready or not ... a full weekend of shows! This summer's show is JUNGLE BOOK Kids - come swing through the trees and take a walk on the wild side this summer
Ready to step into the spotlight? This fun and exciting summer camp is perfect for kids ages 7-10 who want to try their hand at acting in commercials! During this camp, your child will learn all the skills they need to shine in an audition, including how to perform a “self-taped” audition—just like the pros do today.
Register NowGive your kids a summer they will never forget!
Have fun learning about theatre and drama while taking famous storybooks and making them into a play! You'll play theatre games, learn about acting and have a great time. Performance on the last day of camp.
Register NowReady to step into the spotlight? This fun and exciting summer camp is perfect for kids aged 11-17 who want to try their hand at acting in commercials! During this camp, kids will learn all the skills they need to shine in an audition, including how to perform a “self-taped” audition—just like the pros do today.
Camp Highlights:
Mock Commercial Auditions: Your child will get to choose a commercial script, develop their character, and work with "the product" to bring their audition to life.
Acting Fun: Through theatre games, improv, and team activities, campers will build confidence, improve their acting skills, and learn how to perform in front of others.
Self-Tape Skills: The kids will record their audition (just like real commercial actors do!) and get a chance to see how they can improve as they go.
Industry Feedback: The final auditions will be sent to real industry professionals for review. On the last day, campers will get a chance to meet via Zoom with casting experts who will share tips on how to improve their performance and audition skills. Commercials will be recorded on Thursday. Friday will include a special Zoom session with industry pros to give feedback and advice.
Bonus for Parents: A post-camp meeting (after final camp class) will help parents learn the ins and outs of the business, including how to avoid scams and get the best start for their child in the world of commercial acting.
About Your Instructor: Jane Peterson has over 30 years of experience working with talent agents and is an expert in commercial acting for kids. She’s worked with children and adults at talent conventions and has been recognized for her outstanding work in the South Carolina Theatre Association. Jane is excited to share her tips, tricks, and knowledge with your child to help them take their acting skills to the next level!
Are you ready to survive—and thrive—in the spotlight? Pack your bags for Audition Boot Camp, where we turn nervous energy into powerhouse performances. We’re stripping away the stage fright and drilling the essentials of acting, dancing, and singing to turn you into a triple-threat machine!
The Training Schedule
Tactical Training: Master the "ins and outs" of the audition room so you never walk in unprepared.
Skill Drills: High-intensity workshops to sharpen your vocals, choreography, and character work.
Confidence Conditioning: We don’t just build performers; we build fearless leaders who own the stage.
The Final Mission
On the final day, it’s time for Operation: Mock Audition. Recruits will face the "casting board" to show off their new skills in a realistic audition setting.
Dancers who are attending this camp will be learning various skills and techniques from different genres. Genres that includes: Hip-Hop, Jazz, Contemporary, and Musical Theater Dance. There will be a small presentation on the last day of camp to showcase what they have learned.
Register NowIn this TWO WEEK summer camp, young actors ages 8-14 will spend 10 days brainstorming, writing, blocking, rehearsing and performing a short play of their own creation. The camp will include work on learning how to format a script, develop characters, and collaborate as a group! There will be a performance of the original play on the last day of camp.
Register NowWhether you dream of belting a sinister solo or showing your villainous side in a dramatic scene, this camp is the perfect place to let your inner villain loose... all in good fun of course! Campers will: perform in original scenes featuring famous villain characters, learn choreography to classic villain songs, develop confidence through individual speaking roles and solo lines, and build teamwork and stage presence in a welcoming, creative environment. No prior theatre experience necessary... just a flair for the dramatic!
Register NowThis camp is a fun, low-pressure introduction to the world of improv. Campers will play high-energy games, learn the "Yes, And" rule, and create hilarious characters from scratch. Campers will build confidence, teamwork and comedic skills through spontaneous acting, character development and theatre games. There will be a performance on the last day of camp.
Register NowLearn from experienced professionals who are passionate about sharing the magic of theatre.
Christian Banks is a 22 year old actor with years of experience, both community and professional. This is his third semester working with CAPA, he has stage managed and is excited to be directing again. With his training in acting, singing, and dancing, he is grateful for the privilege to help grow the next generation of Columbia thespians.
Grace McCall Bethurem has been a musical theater performer for over 20 years. McCall grew up in Denver, Colorado performing nationally and internationally with Kids in America Theater Company. McCall loves the performing arts and had her first paid theater role at 10 years old. She has since performed in over 30 musicals and plays. As a child news anchor on television, McCall also received training in acting for film and television and had several film credits as well. McCall has also worked as a Production Assistant for films and commercials for the LDS Motion Picture Studio in Provo, UT. McCall attended Brigham Young University where she studied vocal performance, theater and dance. McCall is trained in mix/belt vocal instruction and took lessons in SLC with nationally renowned vocal coach, Dean Kaelin.
Tayshaun Brown is a rising senior at the University of South Carolina. Throughout his high school career, he has experienced choreographing several combos with dance classes, as well as a couple of musicals. He’s super excited to start teaching various genres, such as hip-hop, jazz, and contemporary!
Tiffany Dinsmore has been a performer since she was in elementary school. She was born in Ft Lauderdale, Florida and grew up all over the state. Tiffany has been on the stage, the small screen and the big screen. She especially loves directing and watching actors grow throughout a performance. She attended Troy State University (Go Trojans!) where she studied voice, drama and stagecraft while getting her degrees in Mathematics and Biology. Since moving to South Carolina (her 8th state) she has performed on many stages around the Midlands. Some of her favorite performances have been Miami Vice, being in 2 movies with her husband, Wicked Witch in Wizard of Oz, Honey Rae Futrelle in the Jones, Hope, Wooten Futrelle sisters trilogy and Walt Disney World. Tiffany has been teaching and directing theatre close to 20 years now. She loves watching the joy on new performers faces as they fall in love with theatre.
Aurora is no stranger to the world of theatre, with over ten years in the children's theatre space backed by over fifteen years of acting experience. Starting as an improv actor, she knows what it takes to think on the spot and really keep the scene moving! When Aurora was a sophomore in college, she stepped out of the improv space and into Stage Management where she continued to work for a couple of years before transitioning to the role of Director with ICRC Children's Theatre. Over the past eight years in addition to being a children's theatre director, she was no stranger to the stage, working in many different production roles and stepping into the spotlight in several on stage performances. Aurora loves to help others find that spark and passion in theatre that she found so many years ago and is excited to continue that work with the CAPA crew.
Jamie Harrington is the theatre teacher at Dutch Fork High School. Before working at DFHS she was The Director of Youth at Town Theatre for 12 years. She has worked professionally in theatre for over 20 years and has had the privilege of touring the country with several professional theatre troupes that allowed her to perform in over 40 of the 50 states. She has directed many musicals and plays and has won accolades including Best Musical from the Free Times and Best Direction of a Play from Broadway World South Carolina. She is looking forward to leading a summer camp at Chapin.
Mary Jo Johnson is a classically trained music theatre performer with 20 years of professional stage experience. Having performed in Equity theaters across the country, Mary Jo has shared the stage with many performing legends: Joel Gray, Carol Channing, Jodi Benson, Nell Carter, Brian D’Arcy James, Blair Underwood, and numerous others. She has performed in over 30 musicals
Mary Jo received a BMP in Music Theatre from Florida State University, and has taken master classes under Joseph Papp, Lynn Stallings, Honey Coles, Mandy Benson, Siri Sat Nam, Frank Hatchet, and many others. She continued to train in voice, dance and acting as she worked professionally, and just recently she began attending workshops in film and television work with Canedy Knowles, Jorjenna Marie, Jack Alcott, Bonnie Gillespie, and Clifton Gutterman.
Hannah Jones has been dancing and acting since she was 10 years old. She loves all things dance (especially jazz!), but musical theater officially became her favorite in high school. The only thing she loves more than performing is sharing that passion with her students. She is currently attending the University of South Carolina, majoring in Early Childhood Education with hopes of becoming a kindergarten teacher. Hannah has experience teaching ages 2–16 and is a preschool dance instructor at South Carolina Dance Company in Lexington. She has been in numerous productions in the Columbia area over the years, but nothing compares to performing with her Chapin Theatre Company family. She is ecstatic to be back for another season at CAPA!
McKinley Porth is from Gilbert, South Carolina, and is pursuing a BFA in Musical Theatre at Kent State University with minors in Business and Dance. She is passionate about youth theatre, leadership, and especially tap dancing. McKinley has teaching experience through Town Theatre summer camps, Village Square workshops, and a year teaching tap and clogging with SC Music and Dance Academy. She has been active in Columbia-area theatre since 2018. Recent roles include Ariel in Disney’s The Little Mermaid at Town Theatre and was last seen at Chapin as Jane in Descendants. Up next, she will appear in Porthouse Theatre’s Professional production of Side Show in Concert.
Jane Peterson is a recently retired marketing professional. She has been performing on stage since age 12. Jane has a BA in acting and directing from USC. Throughout her career, she has had the opportunity to teach acting to all ages. She has been seen on the Chapin Theatre stage in Farce of Nature, Stilt Girl, Final Appearance, and most recently in T Minus 10 in the 10 Minute-ish Play Festival. Jane directed Jamie Harrington‘s Targeted Advertising in the Festival, and Lou Clyde’s The Driving Lesson during last year’s 10 Minute-ish Play Festival. You may have also seen her in the Bath and Bronze commercial on local television. Jane is expecting her first grandchild in February. She is excited to have the opportunity to teach this class at Chapin Theatre.
Ella Riley has been working on, behind, and around the stage for almost 15 years. Currently a student at USC, majoring in Education, she has previously participated in Town Theatre’s Teen Troupe, South Carolina’s Tri-District Arts Consortium, and the several programs at the Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities. She currently serves on the board at Chapin Theatre Company and is excited to teach a class at CAPA this year!
Kathy Seppamaki has been working as a music director with greater Columbia area theatres for almost a decade. This season she musically directed Chicago, here at Chapin Theatre Company. She has been one of the musical directors for the youth theatre program at Town Theatre since 2016. She musically directed youth theatre productions of Frozen Jr, Elf Jr, Aladdin Jr. Lion King Jr, Camp Rock, My Son Pinnochio, Annie Jr, Peter Pan Jr (Town Theatre), and Aladdin Jr (Workshop Theatre). She has also musically directed mainstage shows such as A Chorus Line (Workshop Theatre), Hello Dolly (Town Theatre), A Christmas Carol (Town Theatre), and Legally Blonde (Workshop Theatre). As a vocal coach, Miss Seppamaki’s students have gone on to work professionally on Broadway, at Walt Disney World, and as entertainment on cruise ships. She is excited to work with the talented youth in Chapin at this camp!
