Working in theater provides a plethora of benefits for those involved

A production of "Cinderella" is put on by first-, second- and third-graders recently at the Houston Family Arts Center.

By attending one of the Houston Family Arts Center Acting Academy's summer camps, children can enjoy the thrills of acting, singing and dancing.

Just as importantly, they will learn to work together to create a work of art, as well as learn how to speak in front of crowds.

At the end of July, two new camps will begin. Fractured Fairy Tales, which is for children in grades one through six, will allow children to perform in offbeat updates of classic fairy tales. The Pirates of Penzance camp, for grades seven through 12, will involve a production of the Gilbert and Sullivan comic opera. Families just looking to take in a performance can also check out "Jack and the Giant," which will be running at the Family Arts Center from Wednesday, Aug. 1 to Sunday, Aug. 5.

ADDRESS: 10760 Grant Road, Houston, TX 77070
CAMP DATES: Fractured Fairy Tales, Monday, July 30 to Friday, Aug. 3; Pirates of Penzance, Monday, July 30 to Friday, Aug. 17
PERFORMANCE DATES: "Jack and the Giant," Wednesday, Aug. 1 to Sunday, Aug. 5; "Fractured Fairy Tales," Friday, Aug. 3; "Pirates of Penzance," Wednesday, Aug. 15 to Sunday, Aug. 19
PHONE: 281-685-2623
WEBSITE: hfacademy.com
WHY YOU SHOULD GO: Any child with an interest in the performing arts will enjoy the summer camps, each of which is focused on a single production. All upcoming camps are geared toward musical theater, so campers will learn many different aspects of stage productions, including acting, singing and dancing.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING: "Every day at the camp, we have a director, choreographer and music director. You get the opportunity to learn so many different things. Between the acting, dancing and singing, it gives a really broad range of experiences. We love the performance, but even more, kids have the opportunity to learn to work together. Each of them comes away with this great feeling of accomplishment." — Karen Clayton, coordinator for the Actors Academy