Dan's Papers - April 3, 2009

Ahh the days when my partner and I could simply up and go on a junket. Then we had a child, and those spontaneous trips came to a screeching halt.

But not all parents feel that way. A friend in the city who's a literary agent started traveling internationally with her baby when he was just three months old, and many other parents do the same. After all, there are babies in Europe, too.

But we didn't subscribe to that. Aside from a few road trips, we didn't do a real vacation (one involving an airplane) until our son was almost three, even though he was a better traveler than us. On a painful trip back from Key West, we waited in the Ft. Meyers airport for eight hours. As we gritted our teeth and asked the airline representative when we might be taking off - for the twentieth time - he was using the luggage wagon as a go-cart.

So now that he's a little boy who doesn't need special food nor diapers, it's time to plan those trips. But there's that new wrinkle: School. He's only in kindergarten, so we're not too worried that he'll fall behind. But when we tried to make a reservation during his spring break (we'd be taking time off anyway to spend with him), it was a rude awakening. Nothing available. For the entire month of April.

So we, like other East End families, and maybe some city families on "staycation," will be here.

Fortunately, the cultural organizations on the East End have become very accommodating, offering wonderful week-long camps for children that are fun, and don't carry the price tag of a trip to Disney.

Bay Street Theatre is offering a week-long Theatre Camp from Monday, April 6 through Friday April 10, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The camp offers an opportunity for kids ages 5-18 to learn and have fun in a true professional theatre setting. Taught by Broadway professionals and music and dance educators, the program is geared to both newbies and experienced theatre kids.

The April camp follows on the heels of the nearly sold-out camp during the February school break that got great reviews out here. Many of the adults commented on the way Director Debra Barsha, who returns in April, was able to tap into the unique talents of each child and draw upon that talent to create a fun experience for the entire group. Students will practice singing, dancing, acting, improvisation, performance, and more. (Barsha is currently pianist, singer and Assistant Conductor of Broadway's Jersey Boys.) The cost for Theatre Camp is $300 for the week and all are welcome. Kids need only bring a bag lunch. Call the Bay Street Administrative Offices at 631-725-0818, x108 to register, or go to www.baystreet.org. Space is limited.

Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center (WHBPAC) is also offering a week-long theatre camp, led by the Missoula Children's Theatre, from April 6-10, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The "Robin Hood School Vacation Theatre Camp," leads up to a performance of an original musical adaptation of "Robin Hood." With great comedy and an original score, this show takes a fresh new look at a legendary outlaw.

During the fun-filled week, kids from Kindergarten through age 16 will be rehearsing and enjoying lots of other exciting activities with PAC's Teaching Artists, including daily classes in acting, improvisation, singing, movement, theatre games, and the ever-popular "Talent Show." Teaching artists include seasoned theatre professionals Tanya Tavereau, Julienne Penza, and Pat Feiler.

The fee for the camp is $325. Tickets to the performance, scheduled for April 10 at 7 p.m., are $15. Space is limited, contact Cheryl Wheeler 631-288-2350, extension 102; or download registration forms online at www.whbpac.org.