What is Kids Do It All?

The annual musical-theatre children’s theatre program is a week-long day camp during June and July at CSU’s University Center for the Arts (UCA). Kids Do It All is one of the most innovative theatre programs in the country, originally founded by retired CSU Professor Walt Jones and currently run by Debbie Swann. During each session, faculty and students from the School of Music, Theatre, and Dance guide up to 50 children through the entire process of theatre.

Campers will do it ALL – from playwriting to performance, from design to music composition, from improv to choreography – resulting in three original 10-15-minute plays created and performed by the campers. Camp participants experience a practical application of all aspects of theatre: playwriting, acting, movement, voice, props, scene design, and songwriting. Campers play improv games, learn about singing and dancing, explore museums in and around the UCA, and think about theatrical expression through movement, costume, and storytelling. Kids can practice songs, dances, and lines at home but should rest assured knowing that counselors will be there to help if and when kids get nervous and forget a line or lyric. Costume pieces are thrown together at home and may feature a cardboard box chest piece or cape made from an old bed sheet. Their creativity and imagination are on full display!

The week ends on Friday afternoon with a FREE performance for friends and family. Then we do it all again the next week with a new group of kids ready to do it all!

KDIA is so special because we embrace a “yes and” mindset. One kid might say, “Let’s have a character who’s an alien from another planet,” and we’ll say, “Yes! And where is the alien going? And why?” It’s a dialogue, a shared, collaborative experience. We want to show kids how creativity blossoms when we share, play, and create as a group.  We want the kids to leave this camp knowing how to collaborate, how to structure a story, how to engage with their imaginations, and most importantly, how to work as an ensemble.

KDIA also teaches problem-solving, tolerance, and cooperation. Those are skills kids need every day in school or with friends and family, not just in the arts. And (hopefully) they will develop a love for theatre and storytelling along the way.  KDIA is about the process, not the product, which truly sets us apart from most theatre camps across the country.  Families can expect a supportive, collaborative environment for their child with enthusiastic CSU students as their teachers and counselors.

Each week is led by CSU Theatre Faculty

• Debbie Swann, Senior Instructor of Theatre and Interdisciplinary Liberal Arts and Director of Kids Do It All
• Saffron Henke, Associate Professor of Acting and Head of Theatre
• Erin Carignan, Assistant Professor of Costume Design and Head of Design

Important Policies

• Repeat/Enrollment Cap: To ensure that more children in our community get an opportunity to participate, we request that each camper attend no more than two weeks of KDIA.
• Inclusivity: All are welcome at Kids Do It All. In a week’s time, kids take on a LOT, so it is crucial that kids feel valued and safe as they play and create. Bullying and name-calling will not be tolerated. Repeated offenses result in dismissal from camp.
  • Cancellations made within 7-21 days of the first day of your child’s camp may be eligible for a partial refund if the spot can be filled by someone on the waitlist. If your spot can be filled in this manner, your cancellation will be processed, and you will be issued a 50% refund.
  • Cancellations made within 1 week (7 days) of your child’s camp start date or after the first day of camp are not eligible for refunds. Cancellation and Registration Fees: Cancellation requests must be made to CSU Conference & Event Services at least 21 days prior to the first day of your child’s camp. A full refund minus a $50 administrative/cancellation fee can be expected in these cases.

If you have any questions about our program, please contact Debbie Swann.