Powerstories To Offer Girlstories Leadership Theatre This Summer

TAMPA, FL — On June 12 – 24, Powerstories Theatre will offer summer camp for rising fifth- through eighth-grade girls.

This working professional theater produces the nationally award-winning Girlstories Leadership Theatre program, providing an opportunity for girls to participate in the magic of creating live theater while learning how to be a leader.

The 17th annual Girlstories Leadership Theatre will be the last activity in the 2105 W Kennedy Blvd., Tampa, location before developers raze the shopping complex to build high-rise apartments.

Theater and program founder Fran Powers invite young girls to be part of its legacy. The theater started by giving a voice to girls and will end its history at Kennedy Boulevard by continuing to fill the theater space with empowered girls' voices.

"Girlstories Leadership Theatre is the jewel of our theater. At its heart is helping young girls understand the power of true stories, of telling their own unique true stories," Powers said.

Up to 20 girls will work with Powers, Krista Blanchette, program director; Stefanie Coren-Marotta and Syd Burkes, theater specialists; and Summer Keisel, music specialist.

The teachers will introduce the girls to acting, art, song and dance while creating memories and forging new friendships. This program features a curriculum that emphasizes leadership, empowering the voices of girls. With theater as a backdrop, the girls will discover famous women in history and how their contributions have impacted the world. They will learn to self-advocate and contribute to their school community. And the girls will find out how to tell their personal stories to identify who they are and bond with other girls in the troupe.

The program will also teach characterization tools based on Stanislavski's techniques and offer proper vocal techniques from a professional music director. Girls will learn the ins and outs of performing in two production numbers, explore movement on the stage, and participate in improvisation techniques based on the work of Viola Spolin.

Girlstories Leadership Theatre costs $125 for the entire summer camp, and scholarships are available. All instructors have passed stringent background checks.

Girlstories Leadership Theatre runs Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. After 12 days of instruction, the summer camp culminates with a live in-theater and live-streamed performance for parents, friends and family, where the girls present their true story or one about a woman in history.

"It makes me and my staff proud that we are ending our time here by lifting the voices of our young girls," Powers said.

For information, click here.

Powerstories is proudly supported by the Hillsborough County Board of Commissioners.