RAUE CENTER SCHOOL FOR THE ARTS LAUNCHES NEW SUMMER CAMP SERIES

[Crystal Lake, IL] – February 23, 2022 – Raue Center School For The Arts is excited to announce a brand new summer camp series—aptly named Camp RCSA—for young performers looking to further (or even begin) their arts education in live performance.

“So proud of the team! The pandemic decimated our educational efforts—down from 25,000 students to 3,000 students during the pandemic. We look to bounce back with core standards of safety, inclusion, and a rigorous, intellectually challenging curriculum. We’ll have a lot of different programs this summer and the camps are a great entry for any student. Camp RCSA grows from our core belief of wanting to help families form young people who are well prepared for careers and who will be assets to their communities,” says Raue Center’s Executive Director, Richard Kuranda.

This exciting new summer program will focus on all aspects of live theatre (acting, movement, dance, and vocal technique), fostering students’ creativity and talent, and helping them develop as young performers. The counselors and staff hired by RCSA are professional Chicagoland actors and technicians. Students will learn performance fundamentals in the classroom then put those skills into practice for an audience with a wrap-up performance on Raue’s outdoor Arts On The Green space, located at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Crystal Lake. To further the educational element of the program, Camp RCSA has adopted the “Page to Stage” theme for the summer, granting students the opportunity to perform songs and scenes inspired by musicals based on famous works of literature!

Camp RCSA will run four one-week camps throughout the summer: June 6-June 10; June 13-June 17; July 18-July 22; and July 25-29. These camps run 9am-3pm, Monday through Friday, and are recommended for Grades 2 through 8 (rising). All experience levels are welcome!

The summer fun doesn’t stop there! RCSA is also proud to announce an extension of their popular “Little Stage Stars” program with Camp RCSA Jr.—a half-day camp for Grades K-1 from 9am-12pm! The youngest RCSA stars will spend a half-day playing games, learning songs and dances, and experiencing theatre in a fun, summer camp environment. This camp runs for one week: July 11-July 15.

High school students can look forward to the return of High School Musical Theatre Workshop—a two-week intensive musical theatre program for students ages 15-18 (rising freshman through graduated seniors). Led by RCSA favorite Amanda Flahive, a professional actor and teaching artist who’s appeared in over 25 shows as an original ensemble member of Williams Street Repertory. This advanced, RCSA signature class, allows students to explore all aspects of classic and modern musical theatre, with a focus on the three core performance disciplines unique to the genre—acting, singing, and dance.

Risk. Explore. Create. Enrollment for these classes opened on February 22nd for RaueNOW Family Members and opens to the general public on February 25th. Visit rauecenter.org/education/ for more information on enrollment and financial aid. For specific questions regarding enrollment, email rcsaeducation@rauecenter.org.

Raue Center currently requires masks for all patrons 2+. For more information, visit rauecenter.org/covid/. For questions or concerns, please contact our Box Office at 815-356-9212.

RCSA ANNOUNCES INSTRUCTORS FOR INAUGURAL SEMESTER

On their 20th Anniversary, Raue Center looks to the next 20 years and beyond to create a welcoming place where students of all ages can let their creativity soar! Youth and adult classes! Private, semi-private, and group workshops! Masterclasses with industry professionals! Raue Center School For The Arts (RCSA) is poised to be your “one-stop-shop” in arts education!

Modeled as a conservatory program, Raue Cenyer School For The Arts encourages students to build a curriculum that plays to their specific strengths and interests within the ever-changing landscape of theatrical and instrumental arts. Meet the amazing roster of instructors lined up for the inaugural semester.

Meet Aldren Briones, Instructor for Raue Center School for the Arts in a number of disciplines! Aldren is a vital member of the Piano Trends staff and a talented musician in a variety of instruments. He studied Vocal Performance at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb. Aldren has worked as a children’s music director with Children’s Theatre of Elgin, Arts Center of St. Charles, and also works as an accompanist and worship leader for Fil-Am Baptist Church. He is also a frequent guest on “Lifting Spirits Through Music” on Facebook and YouTube. Come “lift your spirits through music” with Aldren as your Instructor through RCSA.

Meet Amy Nelson, our Brass Instructor for Raue Center School for the Arts! Amy graduated with her music degree from Northern Illinois University in Dekalb. Since then, Amy has toured with groups and orchestras both regionally and nationally, including a gig as a member of Adele’s backup orchestra when Adele performed at the United Center in Chicago. She also has a few Broadway tours under her belt, including “Fiddler On the Roof.”

Meet Ashley Beleny, a Piano Instructor for Raue Center School for the Arts!
Ashley has a passion for teaching piano and has been playing since the age of 5. She also grew up singing in professional children’s choirs and started playing the guitar when she went to college (much easier to transport than a piano). She is currently learning to play the cello… a true testament that it’s never too late to learn a new instrument! Ashley plays mostly classical music on piano but has taught a wide range of styles in both one-on-one and group settings for students aged pre-school through adult.
Meet Bruce Waters, our Guitar/Bass/Ukulele Instructor for Raue Center School for the Arts! Bruce is a lifelong resident of the area and a big part of the music scene locally. He has worked with major artists like Ricky Skaggs at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, he is or has been a member of Pirates On 40 and Sweetwater among other bands. Bruce teaches and works with children and adults alike on both acoustic and electric guitars, bass guitar, ukulele, and percussion. Learn from one of the best in the biz with Bruce as your Guitar/Bass/Ukulele Instructor through RCSA.
Education Coordinator and instructor Alayna DeVar is now offering Private Voice Instruction through RCSA, in addition to two exciting Musical Theatre Ensembles: Youth MTE & Adult MTE! Alayna holds a degree in Vocal Performance from Millikin University where she studied Vocal Pedagogy and received excellent ensemble training from her time in the internationally recognized University Choir. She has been teaching private lessons since 2013 and began music directing and conducting for musicals in 2014. She worked as Vocal Director for Celebrity Cruise Lines and occasionally visits Nashville for private coaching with industry professionals.
Realize your full vocal potential with Alayna as your Voice Instructor through RCSA.
Meet John Benedeck, one of our Piano Instructors for Raue Center School for the Arts!
John grew up in the Northwest suburbs of Chicago and has been a pianist since he was six. Since then, he has implemented music in everything he does. Whether he is leading a worship team for his church, accompanying the seventh-inning stretch at Wrigley Field, or creating original music for podcasts and short films, John seeks the joy in music without compromise. Experience that same joy in music firsthand with John as your Piano Instructor through RCSA.

RCSA, your “one-stop-shop” in performing arts education! For enrollment information, please contact rcsa@rauecenter.org or visit our website for more details: https://www.rauecenter.org/education/

About Raue Center For The Arts

Raue Center is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to enriching the lives of all through the arts. For 20 years, they have provided quality programming – striving to make it pertinent, available, and affordable to all. As a painstakingly restored, 1920s regional showcase theatre named for its benefactor—Lucile Raue—Raue Center has attracted the finest stars, Broadway shows, musicians and artists. Named on the League of Historic American Theatres, Raue Center is one of the finest examples of restored art and decor in the nation. The 750-seat theatre, located in historic downtown Crystal Lake, Illinois, is a gathering place for our region’s citizens and has become a true destination. 

For additional information, visit rauecenter.org or call the Box Office at 815.356.9212.