Back by popular demand is the Theatre Boot Camp, a feast of theater experiences for children ages 7 to 13. The class will meet for three Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the Northern Illinois University Music Building and begins Saturday.

Children stretch their imaginations in dramatic play, learning how to create characters and to tell great stories. Each week’s class begins with theater games, warm-up exercises and improvisation. This is a great class for children with lots of energy and creativity. Children bring a packed lunch to class each week and take a half-hour break at noon.

Teacher Amanda Long is a graduate student at NIU where she is working on a master’s of fine arts degree from the School of Theatre and Dance. She has worked as an actress and teaching artist in the Chicago area. Originally from Oregon, she has toured with the Oregon Children’s Theatre and Tears of Joy Puppet Theatre. She was an instructor at the NIU Theatre Arts Camps in 2012.