THE ROOM WHERE IT HAPPENED – Songs from Lin-Manuel Miranda

Step into the world of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s unforgettable music. Throughout this exciting musical theater camp, young performers sing, move, and act while exploring songs from Hamilton, Moana, Encanto, and In the Heights. Along the way, they build acting, singing, and storytelling skills through fun, engaging rehearsals.

In addition, campers learn how to bring characters to life through song and movement. They also strengthen their confidence, creativity, and stage presence while working together as an ensemble. Best of all, they’ll perform the music they love in a supportive and encouraging environment.

What Makes the One-Week Camp Unique

• Focused on the music of Lin-Manuel Miranda, from Broadway and film favorites.
• High-energy, imaginative approach that blends singing, movement, and storytelling.
• Encourages campers to step into the “Room Where It Happened,” exploring characters and moments from Miranda’s work.
• Supportive environment that allows students to experiment, take risks, and express themselves creatively.
• Culminates in a lively, informal performance for family and friends, giving every camper a chance to shine.

What Campers Will Learn

• Musical theater performance skills, including vocal technique and stage presence.
• How to create a character’s behavior.
• Ensemble collaboration, teamwork, and creative problem-solving.
• Confidence performing in front of an audience.

Performance in a Professional Theater
The presentation will take place in the 309-seat John and Nancy Hughes Theater, a professional venue.

Students receive both group and individual coaching throughout the rehearsal process to support skill progression and performance readiness.

This is a promo video from last year’s production of Peter Pan Now.

This is a behind-the-scenes look at what we do at camp.

This one-week camp is perfect for young performers who love music, movement, and storytelling. It’s energetic, playful, and inspiring—an experience where kids don’t just sing the songs, they step into the characters and bring the stories to life.

• Level Two: Develop
• Ages 8 to 14
• Monday, August 17 to Tuesday, August 25
• 9:00 am to 3:00 pm
• Price: $630

Gorton Drama Studio proudly teaches foundational acting exercises and acting technique developed by Jeremy Kruse, author of “The Young Actor’s Handbook” (Applause Acting Series, 2017) and the author of the upcoming book, “The Young Actor’s Technique” that are designed to teach students the basics of acting such as stage presence, projection and creating believable behavior and life skills such as confidence, active listening and managing stage fright. In partaking in a Jeremy Kruse acting class, one makes discoveries about oneself, makes discoveries about the world and learns how to express oneself artistically.

Meet The Gorton Drama Studio Creative Team

Jeremy Kruse, Artistic Director of Gorton Drama Studio is the author of “The Young Actor’s Handbook” (Applause Acting Series, 2017).The book was published in Korean and Chinese in 2022. Jeremy is a professional actor, published playwright, award-winning screenwriter, and award-winning filmmaker. Some of the classes he taught at The Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute in New York include Method Acting, Comedic Improvisation, Sketch Comedy Writing, and Acting for Film and TV. He graduated from The Strasberg Institute at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts where he majored in drama. Jeremy also teaches privately, one on one  www.jeremykruse.com and www.jeremykruseactingtraining.com