Acting Academy for Kids

March 29, 2023

Acting Academy for Kids

Parents & Kids Rave That AA4K is The Best in The OC!

by Victoria Kertz

Looking for an engaging and entertaining summer camp for your creative kids? The Acting Academy for Kids in Mission Viejo is now open for summer camp registration. AA4K offers acting, dance, music and fusion (a blend of the three) in weeklong musical theatre camps that bring out the performer in your child. These fun and fast-moving programs create lasting memories and teach valuable life skills, such as public speaking, effective communication, and teamwork.

Summer camps take place at the Z Playhouse, AA4K’s main facility in Mission Viejo, and Lyceum Village, a youth educational center in Irvine. These two safe and convenient locations provide parents easy access and peace of mind. AA4K founder Stephen Zygo and his team are gearing up for a super spectacular summer, especially with the addition of two new musicals, Zombies 3 and Matilda. In keeping with tradition, the kids in Zygo’s year-round program choose new musicals for the summer camp repertoire. Other 2023 camps include those inspired by the music of Encanto, Harry Potter, The Little Mermaid, and more. Visit AA4K’s website for the complete list.

Each weeklong camp may feature a different musical, but the schedule remains similar for kids who favor a consistent routine. Kids are welcome to participate for one week, the entire summer session, or anywhere in between; no experience is necessary. Casting and rehearsals begin the Monday of each week, and by Friday, campers perform a fully costumed showcase for family and friends. It’s a whirlwind of indoor fun that kids enjoy so much that many of Zygo’s former students return as camp counselors during their summer break from college. The other instructors are industry professionals who bring joy and enthusiasm to help your child learn and thrive on stage.

If you’ve had the opportunity to catch a live performance at the Z Playhouse, you have a great reason to return. Zygo and his team gave the stage a $30,000 makeover this past season, raising the ceiling (a welcome update for taller teens) and installing a state-of-the-art lighting system that turns every production into a showstopper.

They’ve also rebooted their tv and film classes for ages seven through sixteen. Helmed by AA4K Studio Director Courtney Yamanishi, the program teaches students to become film actors instead of stage actors. It’s an excellent way for your budding star to engage with film and prepare for auditions. From music videos to producing short films, the classes allow students to earn IMDB credit without traveling to Los Angeles, which parents certainly appreciate.

Stephen says his original vision for AA4K Studios was to provide kids hands-on experience with technical equipment and have the opportunity to be both in front of and behind the camera. “We encourage kids to learn how everything works,” he says. If your young one aspires to become a director or a sound and audio engineer, AA4K Studios is a wonderful place to start.

Even if your child doesn’t plan to pursue a career in the arts, theatre camp fosters creativity, develops communication skills, and broadens imaginations in a safe space. As children work together on projects, they learn the value of teamwork, but most importantly, they’ll have fun and make friends.

With tons of rave reviews on Yelp, AA4K isn’t just loved and praised by parents; it inspires children to discover their passions. This longstanding theatre program is a unique alternative to organized sports, promoting an environment where kids focus on musical performance, while receiving a workout in a non-traditional way.

After all, creative people always have a solution! Let the Acting Academy for Kids be the answer to your summer camp conundrum. Camps fill up quickly, so register at ActingAcademyForKids.com or call 949.427.0072 to secure your child’s spot.

NOTE: Film and TV classes are part of the year-long program and the evening summer series, but are not summer camp programs at this time.

ACTING ACADEMY FOR KIDS | AGES 5-17 | ActingAcademyForKids.com | 949.427.0072