The Aurora Players Summer Program, ProjectSTAGE, is a two-week program for students entering grades 4-12 in the fall of the school year following the program. It is divided into three separate “Acts” to split up the age groups. Each program runs weekdays from 9 am-1 pm with a performance on the final Friday and Saturday evenings at 7 pm. Although the program is only two weeks, the kids put on a full production at the end. We rig full lights and sound with the help of our lighting/sound designer, sell tickets, and produce programs with bios of each child. Each participant is even given a show T-shirt!

ProjectSTAGE is a truly unique program. Our goal, as Aurora Players volunteers, is to pass on a true love for theatre to our students and help boost their creativity and self-confidence in all they do. Not only do they learn about acting, they learn about props, costumes, set design, lighting design, and every other aspect of theatre we can teach them.

The program is funded through the sale of tickets (usually $5) to each show. In this way, Aurora Players is able to keep the cost of admission to the program to just $75 per child, making it accessible to as many families as possible.

One of the best parts of this program is the volunteers behind it. Our volunteer producer, Erin Francis, has over ten years of experience and handles all the organizational aspects, including student registration, supply ordering, program development, and day-to-day business. We are also fortunate to have a team of high school students (ProjectSTAGE “graduates”) who help each day with organizing and keeping the students engaged. They lead them in games, take them in groups to practice lines, and help out with lighting and sound for the production. All directors are well supported in this program by adult volunteers who have experience with ProjectSTAGE as well as teaching and/or directing.

We have seen the difference this program makes in children’s lives. We love seeing them go on to act in school productions and more. Please consider joining us in spreading the love of theatre to these amazing children by participating!