Chapin Theatre Company
JUNE 1 - 5, 2026
9 AM - Noon - $175
Ages: 8 - 14
Instructor: Aurora Gastright
Min / Max: 6 / 15
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!
JUNE 1 - 5, 2026
1 - 4 PM - $175
Ages: 7 - 14
Instructor: McKinley North
Min / Max: 6 / 20
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!
JUNE 8 - 21, 2026
9 AM - 12:30 PM - $300
(2 week camp)
Jungle Book Kids Show Intensive (PM) - FULL
Ages: 7 - 14
Instructora: Tiffany Dinsmore, Mary Jo Johnson, McCall Bethurem
Max: 25
Pre 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
JUNE 8 - 12, 2026
1 - 4 PM - $175
Ages: 5 - 10
Instructor: Jamie Harrington
Min / Max: 6 / 15
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.
JUNE 15 - 28, 2026
1:30 - 5 PM - $300
(2 week camp)
Ages: 7 - 14
Instructora: Tiffany Dinsmore & Mary Jo Johnson
Max: 25
Pre 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
JUNE 22 - 26, 2026
9 AM - Noon - $175
Ages: 7 - 11
Instructora: Jane Peterson
Min / Max: 6 / 15
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.
JULY 6 - 10, 2026
9 AM - Noon - $175
Ages: 5 - 10
Instructor: Hannah Jones
Min / Max: 5 / 12
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.
JULY 6 - 10, 2026
1 - 4 PM - $175
Ages: 12 - 17
Instructor: Jane Peterson
Min / Max: 6 / 15
Ready 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!
JULY 13 - 17, 2026
9 AM - Noon - $175
Ages: 8 - 14
Instructora: Aurora Gastright
Min / Max: 6 - 15
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.
JULY 13- 17, 2026
1 - 4 PM - $175
Ages: 8 - 16
Instructor: Tayshaun Brown
Min / Max: 5 / 12
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.
JULY 20 - 31, 2026
9 AM - Noon - $300
(2 week camp)
Ages: 8 - 14
Instructora: Ella Riley & Christian Banks
Min / Max: 7 - 15
In 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.
JULY 20 - 24, 2026
1 - 4 PM - $175
Ages: 6 - 15
Instructora: Kathy Seppamaki
Min / Max: 5 - 15
Whether 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!
JULY 27 - 31, 2026
1 - 4 PM - $175
Ages: 10 - 18
Instructora: Jane Peterson
Min / Max: 5 / 15
This 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.
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 and trained alongside the nationally acclaimed BYU
Cougarettes. McCall is trained in mix/belt vocal instruction and took lessons in SLC with nationally renowned vocal coach, Dean Kaelin. Since graduating from college McCall has performed and
choreographed in the Denver Metro Area with favorite stage roles as Grace Farrell in Annie, Lola in Damn Yankees and Abigail Williams in The Crucible.
Since moving to South Carolina 6 years ago McCall has been privileged to privately train voice students and perform and direct with Chapin Theatre Company. She has also been teaching
acting at The Southern Strutt. McCall loves sharing the joy of performing with the rising generation of performers. Whether through dance, vocal performance or theater, McCall loves helping
you find your voice!
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, Karen Morrow, Juliette Prowse, Tom Key, and numerous others. She has performed in over 30 musicals, and even has a few commercial and film credits as well. Her favorite roles include Annie Oakley in Annie Get You Gun, Maggie in A Chorus Line, Louisa in The Fantastics, Peep-Bo in The Hot Mikado, and Young Phyllis in Follies. Since retiring from the stage, Mary Jo has produced, directed, choreographed and vocally coached performances for theatre, industrial productions, churches, camps, and private students.
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.
Teaching and equipping the next generation of performers, while discovering and instilling important life-lessons along the way, Mary Jo desires to provide a positive environment for students to learn, grow and discover their unique value through the performing arts.
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.
Rob Sprankle creates art. Having studied both music and media arts, and having earned a Liberal Arts degree from The University of South Carolina, Rob has applied his love for creation to multiple forms of expression. A fairly large body of work in theatre, particularly musical theatre has been a cornerstone, but he has also worked in front of and behind the camera for multiple film and commercial projects. His greatest work, however, is at the grocery store, or at home, where his love for human interaction becomes the art of life.
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!
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.
Shelby Sessler is a costumer, makeup artist, wig whisperer, voice actor and singer. Shelby has been sewing for over 20 years and designing even longer than that! An active member of the cosplay community, Shelby’s strengths are in making creative character choices that come through in the costume designs. Shelby takes pride in total transformation and over helping others learn to do the same.
Meredith Boehme has been dancing since she was 4 years old. She enjoys all types of dance but tap is her absolute favorite! She was a competitive dancer and assistant dance teacher for 8 years and has performed at the Spoleto Festival in Charleston, Jazz on Tap in Atlanta, Disney World and New York City. She has taken Master Classes from choreographers and dance teachers all over the country. Meredith graduated from Columbia College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in dance. She ran the dance program at Crooked Creek Park for 8 years and successfully grew the program after starting with just 2 students. It was there that she met Tiffany Dinsmore and was brought into the theater world. Meredith began working with Chapin Theatre Company in 2018 as a choreographer. She has also worked as a choreographer and assistant director for ICRC Children’s Theater and is a licensed Zumba instructor. Meredith believes that everyone has the ability to dance and loves to watch others learn and grow. She cannot wait to share her love of dance with all of you!
Abigail Mathias has been working on the stage for many years and has been privately trained in voice for almost 5 years. Currently, she attends the University of South Carolina, double majoring in Chemistry and Theater as well as is a part of the saxophone section in the Carolina Band. She has performed in and out of school, some of her favorite musical roles being: The Grinch in Seussical, Queen Aggravain in Once Upon a Mattress, Louie in Captain Louie, Cinderella in Into the Woods, Jafar in Aladdin, Ms. Teavee in Willy Wonka, Ariel in The Little Mermaid and Sillabub in Cats. She serves on the board of Chapin Theater Company and is excited to start teaching! She can’t wait to share her love of theatre with everyone and help students discover themselves, learn valuable skills on and off the stage, and make new friends as they grow.
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.
Katherine, a former professional dancer with Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Lines, has held the positions of Dance Captain and Production Principal during her time at sea. Her performance credits include the Broadway National Tour of Saturday Night Fever and numerous regional theatre roles across the United States. Beyond her successful dance career, Katherine has achieved academic excellence, obtaining a BFA in Musical Theatre, a BS in Public Health from Coastal Carolina University, and a Master of Public Health in Epidemiology from the University of South Carolina. She has recently performed at Workshop Theatre, portraying Cassie in A Chorus Line and Bombalurina in CATS.
Allie Landry, M.A.T., has called Chapin home for 27 years and is passionate about creative, multimedia storytelling. A graduate of the University of South Carolina, she holds a bachelor’s degree in English and Theatre and a master’s in K-12 Theatre Education. Throughout her career, Allie has taught English to students in grades 7–11 and has led multiple summer drama and social-emotional learning camps. She has also led students on educational tours across Ireland, England, France, Germany, and Switzerland, bringing global perspectives into her teaching. She is excited to collaborate with Chapin Community Theatre this summer!
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!
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.
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!
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!
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.
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