Beginning each day with a core subject, students get an in-depth concentration on a genre of their choice. Then they explore by learning about other art forms in their other three classes, seeing how the different arts interconnect.

Each afternoon, the core artist faculty show and talk about the work they do. At the end of the week, students share their creative experiments with the community in a student showcase performance.

2025 Class Descriptions

Giant Puppets with Margie McDonald 
Bring Giants to life. Students will work together to create large puppets using simple materials such as cardboard, wire, fabric, sticks and tape. The Giants come to life on stage for Friday’s Student Showcase, accompanied by an invented narrative. 

Songwriting and Self Expression with Rebecca Elatiki  
Whether you’re new to music or singing, you’re welcome to show up as you are and explore your voice through songwriting. We'll work collaboratively to create a song, with each student contributing their ideas—whether through lyrics, melody, or song structure. Together, we’ll dive into music, melody, singing, and spoken word as avenues for self-exploration and expression. The goal of this class is to empower each student's voice and creativity. No experience needed — just bring your imagination and a willingness to try something new! 

Drawing the Forest with Danielle Fodor 
In this class, we’ll explore the Forest that surrounds us through touch, sight, and sound.  Humans have always been interconnected with the ecosystems that surround them.  We rely on Forest for water, wood, food, paper, and oxygen. We’ll spend time learning about our Forest friends by drawing and writing, both realistically and imaginatively.   

Theater Creation with Maude Eisele  
Explore a variety of theatrical means for telling stories. Our emphasis will be on playful exploration that employs the poetic body, voice, and imagination to create brand new, collaborative works of theater. Participants will wear a variety of creative hats, including actor, director, and writer. All levels of experience welcome and encouraged! 

West African Dance with Etienne Cakpo 
Learn basic dance moves and drum rhythms from the Benin-Ghana coastal region of West Africa. This class is appropriate for boys and girls of all experience levels. The dances have graceful and strong movements that require undulation of the back and bending of the knees. Dances integrate traditional, social and spiritual dances as well as modern movements commonly found across West African countries. 

Spoken Word Poetry with Rachel Kessler Everyone already has everything they need to write a poem. We’ll begin by writing poems that explore our personal experiences and find our voices and the confidence to perform. We’ll look at different types of poems and engage with theater and performance exercises to learn the skills to bring our writing to life through performance. We’ll study gestures, vocal tone, attitude, pacing, and connecting with an audience as we build towards our final sharing day. 

What to Bring & What Not to Bring
Cell phones and electronic devices are not allowed at Centrum Youth Programs. In case of emergency, Centrum's program manager and staff carry phones and will notify you as soon as possible. You may leave a message for your student at any time with Program Manager Alyssa de Leon (360) 385-3102 x120. You will receive contact information in an email prior to the start of the program.

Lunch is provided. The safety and comfort of your children is our highest priority. Meals at Fort Worden State Park feature locally-grown, organically-produced food prepared to the highest standards at the Fort Worden Commons.

If you have any more questions about Tales, Texts, and Theater, please contact Alyssa de Leon at 360-385-3102, x120, or adeleon@centrum (dot) org.

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