Gorge Theatre Camp welcomes students from around the world
 
The Columbia Gorge School of Theatre, a summer theatre camp for teens from around the world, is proud to announce a new Gorge wide discount for its ninth summer. Students stay for one to six weeks at the residential theatre camp, where they study acting, signing, and dancing, do a show, and enjoy the great outdoors.

Did you know that the Gorge is home of one of the premiere summer theatre camps in the world?

The Columbia Gorge School of Theatre (www.TheatreCamp.com) is gearing up for its ninth summer of producing its world-famous theatre camp. Each year, students from across the country and from around the world sign up to attend the residential theatre camp, which offers sessions from one week to six weeks in duration.

Residents of Hood River, Skamania, Klickitat and Wasco counties are entitled to an automatic 5% discount by simply writing “Gorge Discount” on their applications. There also are a limited of partial scholarships available to students with financial need.

Students who are interested in enrolling in the Columbia Gorge School of Theatre are encouraged to call Jan James, Executive Director at 509-493-1213 or 1-800-405-3450. Or they may or visit CGST's web site at: www.TheatreCamp.com

In addition to professional theatre training, CGST is perhaps best known for its unique environment of love and support. Huge emotional breakthroughs have taken place at the Blue Moon Ranch, where students are encouraged to treat each other with kindness from day one. Many students have gained self-esteem, become more outgoing, gained a sense of community, and have improved their communication skills by taking part in the program.

"Columbia Gorge School of Theatre is a place I will never forget, it is my
'dream world' or my "Never-Never land" as one of the counselors called it. The people there were all so loving and supportive - we all became like one huge family. CGST taught me a lot, made me more confident and has given me more hope to pursue my dream - to become an actress." LeeAnne O'Brien, age 16, Canada.

"CGST was the most amazing place for me this summer. It is like my second home. I made many new friendships while there for just the 2 weeks I was there. The counselors, the students, and the staff were the most loving, kind, and loyal people I had ever met. The day camp ended, as I tried to hold back tears, I promised myself that I would come back the next summer . . . and many more summers also." Michael, Vancouver, WA, age 12 (student in 1999, 2000, 2001,
staff in 2002, 2003, 2005. . .)

The Columbia Gorge School of Theatre (www.TheatreCamp.com) is a summer performing arts camp which was founded in 1996 by Artistic Director Jesse Merz (Portland, OR) and his mother, Executive Director Jan James (White Salmon, WA). Students ages 11 - 18 attending CGST take classes in acting, singing, dancing, yoga, voice, and TV/Film acting, perform in a show, and enjoy the great outdoors
on the 140 acre Blue Moon Ranch. CGST is one of the most affordable
residential theatre camps in the nation. Over 1,000 students from across the US and from around the world have attended the summer theatre camp. The Blue Moon Ranch is located just 30 minutes from Hood River and 90 minutes from Portland, Oregon. CGST has a production history of over 100 productions, and alumni have
worked professionally in television, theatre, and modeling. CGST alumni have attended such schools as New York University, Yale University, Boston Conservatory, among others.

Artistic Director Jesse Merz grew up in Parkdale, Oregon and graduated from Hood River Valley High School in 1992. Merz has worked as an actor off-Broadway, in regional theatre, feature films, and in 120 cities in 34 states on national tours. He has directed more than 45 plays and musicals in New York City and in regional theatre with such actors as Tony-Winner Daisy Eagan, Broadway actor T.J. Meyers, TV actor Carla Borelli, and Angel Carter, who is the sister of pop stars Nick and Aaron Carter. He is the former Producing Artistic Director of Longview Stageworks, a professional Equity theatre company, and is
currently the Drama Director at David Douglas High School in Portland, Oregon. He received his M.A. in Teaching from George Fox University and his B.F.A. in Acting from New York University/Tisch School of the Arts, where he trained with Oscar nominees David Mamet and William H. Macy. Additionally, he has worked with or studied with Alec Baldwin, Josh Hartnett, Keanu Reeves, River Phoenix, “Desperate Housewives’” Felicity Huffman, “The Bachelor’s” Charlie O’Connell and “American Idol’s” Constantine Maroulis.

Contact: Jan James, Executive Director
509-493-1213 or BlueMoon91@aol.com

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