Fleming College

Channeling the heroes and gods of ancient Greece, children taking an upcoming March Break performing arts camp will use mime, dance and masks to create an authentic Greek theatre piece.

Gods & Heroes is a new week-long drama course for children ages eight to 12 that concludes on Friday, March 18 with a half-hour public performance based on Greek mythology.

The course is offered through Fleming College’s Cobourg Campus and will be taught by entertainment professionals Daniel Matmor and Heidi von Palleske.

“The children will use the same principles of theatre as they did in ancient Greece – using music, dancing, mime and mask work,” said Mr. Matmor. “There will be no sets, the performance will be done completely through voice and movement.”

Camp participants will learn about Greek mythology at the same time as gaining skills in vocal work, basic choreography and mime. The camp requires some teamwork and teaches improvisational skills as the students will have a hand in writing the script for the course-ending performance.

“We let the kids improvise then through that improvisation we will write the scenes,” said Mr. Matmor.

While the camp offers training in the discipline of acting, students will further develop their talents through a variety of exciting games, invigorating exercises, spirited song, and interactive classes, culminating with the creation and production of their public performance.

Having directed adults performing Greek theatre for children, Mr. Matmor wanted to try a different approach.

“I thought it would be so much more joyful and rich if the kids did it themselves,” he said. “Children will surprise and delight you. They are much more honest. As we get older we lose our ability to be in the moment.”

Mr. Matmor is no stranger to children’s theatre as he is a children’s playwright and the founder and artistic director of the Hampstead Stage Company – the largest touring children’s theatre company in North America. An actor, writer, director and producer of theatre and film, Mr. Matmor has worked with many Hollywood greats including Stanley Kubrick, Robert Altman, and Tobe Hooper.

Ms. von Palleske is one of the most respected actors in the film and television industry. She has starred in more than 40 films and TV programs, working opposite Antonio Banderas, Jeremy Irons, Goldie Hawn, and Michelle Williams.

No theatre experience is necessary for interested camp participants. The camp will take place from Mar. 14 to 18 at the IDEAHUB in Port Hope. It runs from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. each day, and costs $266.25 per child. The public performance will take place the night of March 18 at the Victoria Hall in Cobourg. The camp is expected to be offered again in the summer, from July 11 to 15.

For more information or to register for either camp, visit www.flemingcollege.ca/cobourg or call 1-888-269-6929.

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