Troy University presents the Summer Spotlight series each year for creative people of all ages looking to grow and develop their interests and talents in and through the Arts. TROY bas been proud to offer this high-quality, inclusive, accessible, and affordable summer experience for over 15 years.
Registration for Summer Spotlight 2025 will open on May 1, 2025!
Summer Spotlight Youth Camps (ages 4-13)
Our youth camps are perfect for young creative minds and bodies who want to explore and play! Spend a week on the Troy campus experiencing various activities in performance, crafts, and creative making, then finish out the week with something to showcase for family, friends, and community.
Creative Drama Camp
“Mini Spotlighters”
Ages 4-7
June 23-27, 2025
Morning Sessions ONLY
9:00am-12:00pm
Monday through Friday
COST: $125
Creative Drama Camp
"Spotlighters"
Ages 8-13
July 6-11, 2025
Sunday Orientation: 2:00-5:00pm
Daily Camp: 9:00am-5:00pm
Friday Night Showcase: 7:00pm
COST: $200
COMICAMP
Visual Arts Camp
Ages 10-14
June 23-27, 2025
Daily Camp: 9:00am-5:00pm
Spend a week exploring character creation, drawing, and comic book production - storytelling
meets visual arts!
COST: $200
Summer Spotlight Intensives (High School+College)
REGISTRATION OPEN THROUGH JULY 1
Our Intensives are not camps – they offer a chance to immerse in all aspects of performance, behind-the-scenes work, and artmaking alongside other talented and committed young artists. Spend a week with visiting guest artists and TROY faculty and student staff, and leave with greater experience, exposure, and confidence…not to mention friendships and memories to last you through the year. Recommended for serious students or anyone interested in exploring a possible major or career in the Arts.
Spend a Week at TROY
Immersed in theatre, dance, film, and studio art performance and production on the Troy campus, train and perform alongside other talented young artists. Sharpen your craft, expand your network, make lasting friendships, and gain valuable experience for your future. Classes, workshops, and opportunities available in:
- Acting
- Audition Techniques
- Choreography
- Construction
- Musical Theatre
- Ceramics
- Stage Management
- Filmmaking
- Drawing
- Scriptwriting
- Movement
- Sculpture
- Stage Combat
- Improvisation
- Painting
- Design Basics
- Voice
- Video Editing
- Modern/Contemporary Dance
- Sound & Lights
- Ballet
- Photography
- Commercial Dance
- Puppetry
- Devised Theatre
- Storyboarding
- 3D Printing
“Attending Summer Spotlight was a turning point in my life. I had never been exposed to such a high level of performance, and I was amazed with the progress that I made with my confidence and communication in just one week. ”
Baine Ellis | Cataula, GA
Work with guest artists
From NYC to LA, from south Florida to the Pacific Northwest and from dance and theatre, to film and television, to visual and integrated arts – professionals from the field team up with TROY Theatre and Dance faculty to share their expertise and experiences with YOU.
Kieron Seargent (2024)
Kieron Dwayne Sargeant was born in Trinidad and Tobago. He is an interdisciplinary artist, choreographer, drummer and dance researcher emerging out of the African-Caribbean Diaspora tradition. Kieron holds an MFA in Performance, Choreography from Florida State University, an MA in Community Dance from Ohio University, and a BA in Dance from the University of West Indies. Among his notable recognitions are the 2019 FA Ada Belle Winthrop King Art Endowment Award from Florida State, 2020 UNESCO Dance Fellowship and a Grant Wood Fellow in Interdisciplinary Performance in 2022 from the University of Iowa.
Mary-Catherine Chambliss (2009-2011, 2022)
Mary-Catherine Chambliss grew up with iTheatrics after meeting the team in 6th grade at the first Junior Theater Festival. Over 17 years, she has worked with iTheatrics as an adjudicator, teaching artist, and associate choreographer for Choreography Videos. She received a Bachelor of Science in Theatre Education from Troy University. During her time at Troy, she served on the founding staff of Summer Spotlight. Following her education, Mary-Catherine served as an Associate Teaching Artist at Lexington Children's Theatre performing in The Cat in the Hat, Seussical, and Shrek the Musical. She performed with the Springer Opera House, Georgia's State Theater in A Chorus Line, The Who's Tommy, and Disney's The Little Mermaid. Mary-Catherine made a move to New York City to act as Program Director for The Anderson School and develop curriculum for Manhattan Youth's Summer Musical Theatre Intensive. She most recently served Manhattan Youth as Education Director for The Professional Performing Arts High School, Simon Baruch Junior High School, Yorkville East Middle School, and The Anderson School. Mary-Catherine is thrilled to have found her way back to iTheatrics as the Education Director.
Zachary Dietz (2022, 2024)
Zachary Dietz is an award-winning music director, conductor, educator, and keyboardist.
His work on
Broadway includes Mrs. Doubtfire, Moulin Rouge, School of Rock, In the Heights, Beetlejuice,
Wicked, The Lion King, Rock of Ages and others. He is also recognized for his work
regionally, including the 10th anniversary of In the Heights (The Kennedy Center),
Hands on a Hardbody with Trey Anastasio and Amanda Green (La Jolla Playhouse), and
Clueless: The Musical with Amy Heckerling and Kristin Hanggi (Dodger Theatricals).
His interest in developmental theatre extends beyond Broadway, including The Outsiders
with music & lyrics by Jamestown Revival at the Goodman Theatre, Dogfight by Pasek
& Paul at Lincoln Center, Children of Salt by Jaime Lozano at the NYMF Festival, New
Works with William Finn at Barrington Stage, as well as residencies with New York
University, Yale School of Drama, The University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory
of Music, and Troy University's Danza in Arte a Pietrasanta. He is currently on faculty
at the University of California Irvine.
Tad Wilson (2021, 2022)
Tad Wilson made his Broadway debut in the smash hit Rock Of Ages after originating his part in the Off-Broadway production of this piece. He went on to originate a featured role in Priscilla, Queen Of The Desert where he performed one of John Denver's classics each night to a rowdy crowd. He was last seen on Broadway in Bonnie & Clyde and Gettin' the Band Back Together. Tad has visited all corners of the United States while touring with the Broadway musical Sister Act as Joey, the thug. Other theatre credits include Les Miserable, The Fully Monty, The Civil War, Annie, Jekyll and Hyde, Wonderland, and the developmental pieces Somewhere In Time and Grumpy Old Men. In addition to his east coast concert appearances, Tad is proud to have sung on the stage of The Grand Old Opry with Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers, and for President Bush at the White House. His voice can be heard on Broadway cast albums, television and video game voice-overs, and on iTunes with his band 10th & Carlisle.
Dev Janki (2024)
Devanand (Dev) Janki is the artistic director of Live & In Color, whose mission is to develop new works that promote and celebrate diversity. www.liveandincolor.org. His career spans all facets of the performing arts, winning multiple awards and nominations. Credits: Off B'way: Little Girl Blue -The Nina Simone Musical; Zanna, Don't!; Yellow Brick Road; Junie B. Jones; Cupid & Psyche; Henry & Mudge; and Skippyjon Jones. Regional: With Bells On! The Musical, Wings of Ikarus Jackson, Barrio Grrrl! (Kennedy Center), The Rocky Horror Show, Xanadu (Hangar Theatre), Disney's Aladdin (Chicago Shakespeare), Man of La Mancha (Maltz Jupiter Theatre), The Full Monty, Songs for a New World (Village Theatre) and The Who's Tommy (Flint Rep). Star-studded B'way concerts: Funny Girl, feat. Whoopi Goldberg, Sutton Foster, Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth; Grammy-nominated concert of Hair starring Jennifer Hudson; 20th anniversary concert of Dreamgirls. Lincoln Center: Amahl and the Night Visitors, Babes in Toyland, and Anything Goes in Concert (assoc.). 9 years as artistic associate for Broadway Bares benefiting Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids. As a performer he has appeared on Broadway in Miss Saigon, Cats, The King & I, Side Show, and tours of A Chorus Line and West Side Story. www.devanandjanki.com
The Price Is Right
At an average cost of $500 for the full week – including all meals, housing, supplies, and instruction – the TROY Summer Spotlight Intensives are easily the most affordable program in the Southeast.
“The opportunity to work with other like-minded artists is something filmmakers our age don’t get to experience. Through this intensive we got to experience that opportunity and see the awesome results of our work.”
Brandon Underwood | Leighton, ALPerformance Intensive
July 13-19, 2025
Participants sharpen acting, dance, vocal, and movement skills daily, with room to choose your own classes in everything from musical theatre to puppetry to hip hop to playwriting. Strengthen what you already have or break out and try something new - this week is all about YOU. Auditions solidify your place in a company for the week, and the Spotlight Showcase at the end of the week for friends and family lets you take the stage! LIMITED SLOTS.
COST: $500
Tech & Management Intensive
July 13-19, 2025
Our Tech & Management participants literally run the show! Each participant has the opportunity to try their hand at various technical theatre challenges and skillsets, experiment with design, and manage mini-productions throughout the week. The Spotlight Showcase at the end of the week - performed for friends and family - is completely managed by Tech & Management participants. LIMITED SLOTS.
COST: $500
Film Intensive
July 13-19, 2025
During Intensive week, a select group of young filmmakers will work together to write a script, create storyboards, plan a shot list, shoot scenes, edit footage, and ultimately showcase their short film for audiences at the end of the week...and beyond! The 2022 Summer Spotlight Intensive film, "SHORTCUT," was selected for the SWIFF film festival in NYC! and the 2023 student film, "Welcome Home," went on to screen at Sidewalk's Alabama Film Week in Birmingham. LIMITED SLOTS.
COST: $500
NEW! Studio Art Intensive
July 13-19, 2025
Spend a week immersed in artmaking, with time and space for you to hone your existing skills, try new approaches, and experiment with different media. Explore your own versatility with blend of traditional studio work and digital design and creation techniques. From still life sketching, photography, ceramics, 3D printing and acrylic painting to digital illustration, animation, and character design, you can tailor the week to your artistic goals. The Studio Art Intensive will stretch your creative process and offer a Spotlight Showcase of artwork at week's end for family and friends at the International Arts Center! LIMITED SLOTS.
COST: $500
Summer Spotlight Scholarships
Thanks to the kind and generous donations of parents, grandparents, community members, and supporters who want to see young people succeed through experiencing the arts, we are able to offer scholarship assistance for those who wish to be part of Summer Spotlight but may not be able to swing it without some help. Through the Troy University Foundation, we offer partial scholarships to offset the cost of attending the camps and intensives.
Deadline to submit is June 1. Limited scholarships are available in full or partial amounts. Please note that all participants are required to pay the $50 deposit. If you have questions or concerns, please contact us at 334-808-6142.
SUMMER SPOTLIGHT SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION
Become a Summer Spotlight Scholarship Donor!
Interested in making a tax-deductible donation to help a creative young person get to Summer Spotlight? Please contact us.
Pay Your Balance
If you've already registered for Summer Spotlight and paid the deposit and now need to pay the remainder of your balance, you can do so here! Please refer to your registration confirmation email for the amount of your remaining balance. Contact theatreanddance@troy.edu with any questions. All balances must be paid by the first day of camp/intensive.
Balances may be paid after May 1.
PAYMENTS ACCEPTED ONLINE through the first day of camp/intensive.
Summer Spotlight Staff Opportunities
Interested in serving as part of our team of dedicated, creative, and energetic Summer Spotlight Staff? Our wonderful staff is comprised of three categories of service.
Guest Artists
Teaching artists from the field are engaged each year to bring in expertise from a
variety of professional, education, and industry-related areas of Theatre, Dance,
Film, Visual Arts, Music, and more. Interested Guest Artists should email theatreanddance@troy.edu for more information.
Troy University Student Staff
Selected by Summer Spotlight leaders and Troy University faculty, these students gain
a valuable opportunity to develop leadership, teaching, and service while serving
our youth camps and high school/college intensives. Open to TROY students from all
majors.
TROY STUDENT STAFF APPLICATION
Summer Spotlight Apprentices (Ages 14-18)
Selected by a panel of Troy University faculty, community leaders, and Summer Spotlight
administration, these high school-aged students (Ages 14+) serve as volunteer "counselors
in training" for the Summer Spotlight youth camps. This is a great way for young people
to learn leadership skills, earn service hours, and give back to their community.
A limited number of positions are available.
SUMMER SPOTLIGHT APPRENTICE APPLICATION
STAFF APPLICATION DEADLINE: May 15
So...what are YOU doing this summer?