Expanded summer camps for teens will feature master classes in theatre, art, film, and dance

Liberty University’s School of Communication and the Arts (SCA) is inviting high school and middle school students to campus this summer to artistically engage with professors and current students as part of their expanded “Uncut Series” camps highlighted by unique experiences in theatre, art, filmmaking, and dance.

During “Theatre Uncut” or “Art Uncut” (June 19-27) and “Film Uncut” or “Dance Uncut” (June 26 -July 4), students will be able to immerse themselves for nine days in the discipline of their choosing and learn how their Christian faith can be expressed through each art form. Each camp also plans to bring in industry guests from the respective field to accentuate the instruction.

Theatre Arts professor Chris Nelson, who also serves as the summer arts coordinator, realized the potential for these four camps after seeing the success that the department’s “Acting Uncut” camp has had in its 12 summers of existence.

“We wanted to launch something that would encourage greater participation with even more of the visual and performing arts here at Liberty,” Nelson said. “We have so many great facilities and so many great professors here, and I’ve connected with professors in the different departments who have an energy and desire to work with young people over the summer.”

2021 Uncut Series

• • “Theatre Uncut,” which has been adapted from the “Acting Uncut” camp, offers two tracks — onstage performing or design and backstage production — and the final day will be a performance cabaret.
  • “Art Uncut” introduces campers to the wide spectrum of art with time spent learning sculpting, drawing, painting, and digital design. At the end of the week, friends and family will be able to see the finished products in the Liberty University Art Gallery.
  • “Film Uncut” will teach cinematic storytelling and the technical side of on-set practices as each student will write, direct, and edit their own short film using resources from Liberty’s Cinematic Arts – Zaki Gordon Center and help serve as crew members on their peers’ projects.
  • “Dance Uncut” is offering comprehensive dance instruction in the areas of contemporary, jazz, social dance forms (swing, salsa, etc.), ballet, and more, culminating in a dance showcase by the end of the camp. Prior dance experience is not necessary.

“It’s like CFAW (College For a Weekend) times two, because you’re basically spending nine days in the area that you might be interested in studying,” Nelson said. “It has really been a great recruiting tool for the university and within our departments. These camps appeal to not just people who are coming to Liberty, but also anyone who wants to continue learning more about their discipline during the summer of their high school years.”

Nelson added that the camps can help connect future Liberty students with professors before they enroll, leading to deeper mentorships and relationships that can carry into their time on campus and even their careers after graduation.

“The relationships I’ve forged with students and their families through the camp experiences have continued into their undergraduate experience and then into their professional lives after they have graduated,” Nelson said. “I look forward to seeing how that continues to show itself in these new camps.”

As in years past, Liberty will also offer the LUTC day camp (June 1-5), which will allow elementary school students to explore theatre.

Registration is currently open for all camps and early bird pricing is available until May 14 for the “Uncut Series” and April 2 for “Uncut Series Jr.”