PORT TOWNSEND — Circus arts for kids, a physical comedy workshop, guerilla street theater for teens, acting for adults: Joey Pipia and the Chameleon Theater are poised to offer these and other summer camps, thanks to a wave of donations from the community.
Pipia, a magician, theater artist and longtime educator, will start the week-long camps July 12 and continue them through Aug. 27, but since spaces are limited, he said now is a good time to sign up.
The camps at the Chameleon, 800 W. Park Ave., each run Monday through Friday, with some held in the daytime and others in the evening. The full schedule and details about age groups, prices and program content are found at theschoolforyoungactors.com, while Pipia can be reached at info@theschoolfor youngactors.com and 360-774-2202.
Workshops in improvisation for youngsters age 9 to 12, “Drama Bugs” for kids age 5 to 8 and a “Magic Uncovered” class are also among the camp offerings. So is “The Perfect Princess: It’s Not What You Think” for 8- to 12-year-olds.
“It’s a long story,” Pipia said, but he “was not successful as far as grants and loans,” so last winter, he began a GoFundMe campaign — and “the community saved this thing,” he said of the Chameleon.
Pipia, who has taught theater for about a decade in Port Townsend, said he’s changed some of the camp names but will take the same approach he always has: aiming to make learning thoughtful and fun.
He noted too that he will follow the Centers for Disease Control’s policies and Jefferson County mandates. Pipia, who said he’s been fully vaccinated since April, listed his protocols:
• All young students must live with vaccinated parents or guardian; Pipia will confirm this through communication with the parents or guardian after registration.
• The temperature of each camper will be taken upon arrival, and any student with a fever will be asked to stay home.
• Each camp will be limited to a maximum of 12 students. When seated, each participant gets his or her own row of seats, allowing social distance.
• The Chameleon’s large garage door will be open to allow for circulation. The theater’s bathroom has a touchless sink, faucet, trash can and soap and towel dispensers.
To express his gratitude to the community, Pipia plans the “Free for All,” a weekend of free entertainment around the first of October. Supporters of the Chameleon Theater’s GoFundMe effort have donated $9,255 while others simply sent him checks that helped meet the $11,000 goal, he said.
When asked what he looks forward to most, Pipia quickly answered that “hanging out with the kids” is it.
“They tell you the truth,” he said.
“They have this awesome openness.”
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Jefferson County senior reporter Diane Urbani de la Paz can be reached at 360-417-3509 or durbanidelapaz@peninsula dailynews.com.
