Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts to Offer New Creative Writing Minor and Ensemble Music Classes

Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts in Wheatley Heights will offer a new minor in the creative writing department, "Performance, Poetry, and Podcasting," this summer as well as a new theater class and new, small ensemble classes through the music department. The creative writing minor will focus on slam poetry and creating a podcast. DIY Musical Theater will utilize devise theater, a method in which a script or score is collaboratively created and performed by an ensemble, to help students write, direct, and perform a musical based on their lives. 

In addition to the small ensemble classes offered the last three weeks of camps, the music department will offer chamber ensembles, silent films, and opportunities to work with current composers.

This past summer, two studios and restrooms were lost due to fire and water damage from a lightning strike. The restrooms will be rebuilt for Summer 2019 and will be more energy efficient and have new, gender neutral restrooms. The studios will be rebuilt for Summer 2020 with a plan to modernize them and add heat. Since this has always been a summer camp, heat was not needed, but heat will allow for a mini-space to offer programs and art classes out of season.