USC Summer Drama – Rooster Tales 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. Rooster Tales is an inclusive camp for young actors on the Autism Spectrum ages 7-14. 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.

Ages 7-10 (June 15-19)

What happens at camp?
Through play, storytelling, and imagination, campers practice communication, empathy, and social skills — all while having a great time. Activities include theatre games, singing, movement and dance, improv and pretend play, teamwork, and lots of celebrating what makes each child unique. There are no wrong answers here — just imagination, fun, and a stage where every child shines.

A camp designed around your child
Class sizes are no larger than 10 students, with a student-to-teacher ratio of 2:1. Our teachers are experienced theatre educators with backgrounds working with students on the autism spectrum. Graduate student assistants and high school helpers are also part of every class, so your child always has support nearby. Family-supported child aides are warmly welcomed to attend as well.

Accommodations and supports
Through our partnership with the Carolina Autism and Neurodevelopment Center, we know that a predictable, comfortable environment makes all the difference. Rooster Tales provides sensory supports, quiet rooms, and visual schedules so children always know what's coming next. We develop a consistent daily routine from day one, and we invite students and their families to visit the camp location the week before camp begins — so your child can see the space, meet the team, and feel ready when the first day arrives. We also offer individualized goal setting, peer and video role modeling, and personalized attention throughout the camp.

Who is this camp for?
Rooster Tales is open to elementary-age students on the autism spectrum with a range of support needs — including minimally-speaking students and those with other processing differences. If your child loves stories, music, movement, or pretend play, this camp was made for them.

Ages 10-14 (June 8-12)

Class Size
The classes will be no larger than 10 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. 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!

*Lunchtime meals not provided