Professional actress, McKale Jude Bingham, is visiting Port Huron for the fourth consecutive year to lead the Port Huron Recreation Department’s summer Theatre Bootcamp for children in July.
This intensive program offers participants the opportunity to learn the fundamentals of theatre and showcase their skills in a full-scale musical production, all within five days. Over 100 young actors, in grades first through 12th, will participate in these four, one-week programs.
The condensed timeframe challenges students to embrace their creativity and work collaboratively, providing a unique and transformative experience preparing them for future theatrical endeavors. Whether students are acting for the first time or honing their craft, this program promises an inclusive and nurturing environment for participants of all backgrounds and experience levels.
For the first three weeks of Theatre Bootcamp students in first through eighth grade receive a role on the first day of class and begin to work on the script to “The Most Epic Birthday Party Ever.” This musical is about children who find themselves at a birthday party where all adults have vanished and the kids must fend for themselves.
The high school program, offered this year for the first time, will culminate in a cabaret performance of different songs, scenes, and monologues.
Performances for “The Most Epic Birthday Party Ever” are Friday, July 14, 21 and 28, with the high school cabaret concluding on Friday, Aug. 4. All performances are at 6 p.m. inside the McMorran Place Theatre located at 701 McMorran Blvd. in Port Huron. These performances are free and open to the public.
The instructor of this program, Bingham, is a Port Huron native working as an actress living in Los Angeles. She has been acting for over 20 years, but started her career locally participating in plays and musicals in Port Huron.Some of Bingham’s accomplishments include starring in Disney's Bunk'd, Peacock's Rutherford Falls, CBS' How We Roll, Reboot on Hulu and 9-1-1 on FOX.
“I love to share my passion for acting with young artists and provide them with a positive first experience stepping out on stage. Teaching this program is the highlight of my summer,” said Bingham.
Registration for the high school Theatre Bootcamp is available until Monday, July 24. To register for this program, please visit https://www.porthuronrec.com/the-arts/theatre-bootcamp. Registration is also available at the Palmer Park Recreation Center located at 2829 Armour St. in Port Huron. There is no availability left for grades first through eighth.
