Spend the summer with theater arts professionals Young thespians can spend part of their summer with experienced actors and directors at a local theater camp. The Strand Theater in Lakewood will host its fourth annual Summer Theater Youth Camp from July 16-27, according to Marylou Gesslein, the theater's program manager. Camp, which is open to children ages 7-18, will take place Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The fee is $395 for the two-week instructional period, with a third bonus week July 30 to Aug. 3. The bonus week of camp comes free of charge due to a 21st Century Community Learning Grant. It is geared toward introducing staged performances to inexperienced actors in an effort to build their confidence in a secure and comforting environment, according to Gesslein. The bonus week will conclude with two performances of "Jack and the Beanstalk." All students enrolled in the program will be involved in the production in some way, whether it is playing a particular role or assisting behind the scenes. The performances will be produced and instructed by Missoula Children's Theater Company on Saturday, Aug. 4, at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Missoula Children's Theater is the nation's largest touring children's theater group and has been touring for more than 30 years. The Missoula team holds an open audition and casts 50-60 campers to perform in the production. The Strand Youth Camp will be instructed by professional/accredited teachers, experienced actors/directors and professional theater staff. Students will get acquainted with a professional theater and study essential musical theater skills including acting, singing, movement, auditioning, improvisation and dance. Campers will also take a trip to New York City to see the Broadway show "Hairspray" on July 25. The cost of the trip is included in the registration fee. To enhance the Broadway experience, the camp is also planning a meet-and-greet backstage session where campers will meet one or more of the professional Broadway actors who are appearing in "Hairspray." Registration forms for the camp can be downloaded from www.strand.org. Early registration is recommended, as enrollment will be capped at 65 students.