Westminster College's Drinko Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning will host a Foundation Theatre Camp June 28-July 2 in Beeghly Theater.

The day camp will provide a performance education experience for students in grades seven-12 in the areas of auditioning, voice and movement, character analysis, and improvisation. Daily activities will include short lectures, improvisations, character-building exercises, and rehearsals of short scenes to enhance the students' appreciation of theatre and performance.

The camp is under the direction of Dr. Scott Mackenzie, Westminster associate professor of theatre and a recipient of the Kennedy Center Gold Medallion for Excellence in Theatre Education.

"This is the sixth year of the camp and the fourth that [2005 Westminster graduate] Kauleen Cloutier and I have worked together to lead it," Mackenzie said.

Assisting with the camp are 2010 Westminster graduate Kirstyn Gecina and junior elementary education major Kristin Fedon, a daughter of John and Linda Fedon of Lower Burrell and a graduate of Evangel Heights Christian Academy.

Abbey Alter, choreographer/movement specialist and performance director, is this year's guest artist.

Alter is a co-founder of The Walnut Street Lodge, an arts, health, and community center in Sharon that offers dance, theatre, yoga, nutrition counseling, and cooking classes, and is home to The Walnut Lodge Players. After developing her own undergraduate program, the art and science of the human body, at The Pennsylvania State University, Alter earned her master's in choreography and performance, adding an in-depth study of yoga and its application to dance. She joined The Ballet Theater of the Virgin Islands as choreographer and won numerous awards for her work before leaving the islands in the wake of hurricane Hugo.

The week's activities will conclude with a performance Friday, July 2, at 6 p.m. in the Berlin Lounge of the McKelvey Campus Center. The closing program is free and open to the public.

Contact Mackenzie at (724) 946-6238 or e-mail mackensa@westminster.edu for additional information.