Rooster Tales is returning in 2025!
Rooster Tales is an inclusive theatre camp for young autistic actors, ages 10-14
Sign-ups will be available in early Spring 2025.
When: June 9-13, 2025 (9am - 12 pm)
Location: Booker T. Washington Auditorium, 1400 Wheat St, Columbia, SC 29201
Cost: Thanks to a grant from the SC Arts Commission, there is no cost for this camp.
The Department of Theatre and Dance and the Carolina Autism and Neurodevelopment (CAN) Research Center at University of South Carolina are collaborating to offer a new camp as part of the Summer Drama Conservatory. The camp will be open for students with a range of support needs, including students who are minimally-speaking and those with other processing disorders. Through interactive theatre activities, improvisation, role-play, imagination, singing, and dancing, students will learn about theatre while practicing social interactions, empathy, movement, conversation skills (as appropriate), and confidence development.
Class Size: The classes will be no larger than 15 students. The teachers are experienced theatre makers and educators who have considerable backgrounds working with students on the spectrum. There will also be graduate student aids as well as high school helpers. The student teacher ratio will be no larger than 2:1. The small class sizes will allow actors to receive individualized attention as well as opportunities to consistently practice life-skills. We invite family-supported child aids to come to the camp as well.
Accommodations: Sensory supports, quiet rooms, visual schedules, individualized goal setting, peer and video role modeling. We develop a predictable routine for the students and we invite students and their families to come to the location the week prior to camp so they can see the space and know what to predict when they arrive on the first day of camp.
Curriculum: The camp focuses on a Social/Emotional Learning frameworks that encourages students to communicate, collaborate and celebrate with each other. The theatre is an excellent way for students to learn about a character’s perspectives, what the character wants, and how they can go about getting it. Research shows the tremendous impacts that the theatre can have on students on the spectrum. We hope to see you and your actor at Rooster Tales!
The Department of Theatre and Dance and the Carolina Autism and Neurodevelopment (CAN) Research Center at University of South Carolina are collaborating to offer a new camp as part of the Summer Drama Conservatory. The camp will be open for students with a range of support needs, including students who are minimally-speaking and those with other processing disorders. Through interactive theatre activities, improvisation, role-play, imagination, singing, and dancing, students will learn about theatre while practicing social interactions, empathy, movement, conversation skills (as appropriate), and confidence development.
Class Size: The classes will be no larger than 15 students. The teachers are experienced theatre makers and educators who have considerable backgrounds working with students on the spectrum. There will also be graduate student aids as well as high school helpers. The student teacher ratio will be no larger than 2:1. The small class sizes will allow actors to receive individualized attention as well as opportunities to consistently practice life-skills. We invite family-supported child aids to come to the camp as well.
Accommodations: Sensory supports, quiet rooms, visual schedules, individualized goal setting, peer and video role modeling. We develop a predictable routine for the students and we invite students and their families to come to the location the week prior to camp so they can see the space and know what to predict when they arrive on the first day of camp.
Curriculum: The camp focuses on a Social/Emotional Learning frameworks that encourages students to communicate, collaborate and celebrate with each other. The theatre is an excellent way for students to learn about a character’s perspectives, what the character wants, and how they can go about getting it. Research shows the tremendous impacts that the theatre can have on students on the spectrum. We hope to see you and your actor at Rooster Tales!
B-RAD Lab is conducting a research study together with Rooster Tales
Before campSurveys to complete will be mailed or emailed
|
At the end of camp
|
Follow-up (6-weeks after camp)Surveys to complete will be mailed or emailed
|
What to expect
- Campers will arrive by 9 am each day of Rooster Tales. They can bring snacks, fidget toys, other support needs, and activities for break times.
- The first day, we will start with paperwork for each camper. We will have research staff on hand to help students complete their paperwork.
- Each day, we will alternate between ~45 minutes for activities (e.g., theater games, sharing) and ~10-15 minutes for breaks.
- At the end of the week on Friday June 10, 2024, Rooster Tales campers will have a Sharing Day (10-10:30 am). Parents are invited to join for this!
Parking and Drop-off |
Example of one of the theatre games |
|
|
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Where will the camp be and what are the dates/times?
|
Q: Can we stay for the first day of camp and watch?
|
Get to know our staff!
|
|