OTT's Theater Camp (Ages 7-18) is the perfect step to get your child started in visual performing arts! This 5 week summer camp is a safe place for your child to learn everything about theater - including acting, dancing. singing, and even behind the scenes. Our teachers incorporate fun lessons and activities to learn more about theater and to learn an entire 60-90 musical. This camp teaches your child about teamwork, hard-work, kindness, and focus.
Acting and theater is a great way for your young artist to express and learn more about themselves as a performer and an individual. By jumping into theater, young artists are able to improve their speaking skills, boost their confidence, and help them learn how to make friends with new people. This camp will offer your child an educational theater experience that they won't forget!
CAMP INFORMATION
Camp Dates
Thurs. July 23 - Sat. Aug. 1
Auditions: Fri. July 24
Callbacks: Sat. July 25 (Time TBA)
Performances: July 30th-Aug. 1
Weekly Schedule
Mondays || 12pm-6pm
Tuesdays || 9am-3pm
Wednesdays || OFF
(except July 29th)
Thursdays || 9am-3pm
Fridays || 9am-3pm
Camp Locations
REHEARSALS
Over The Top Academy Of Dance
2423 Eastern Ave. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49507
TECH & PERFORMANCES
EGR Performing
Arts Center
2211 Lake Dr. SE, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503
Camp Tuition
$1,000.00
Registration Fee
$200.00
(due after time of approval)
TOTAL
$1,200.00
Payment plan options are available. Email our Director, Miss Phoebe Dawson for more information.
The Production Team
2025 production staff
Phoebe Dawson
(she/her)
Co-Director &
Program Director
Phoebe Dawson has been OTT's Theatre Program Director & Director since the programs culmination in 2021. She is not only a director but is also a stage manager, choreographer, and performer in West Michigan. Phoebe has been working in educational theater for the past 7 years in the Grand Rapids community. She is a huge believer in the power of visual and performing arts education and is passionate about making the arts accessible and available to not only young artists but to everyone.
Erica Starks
(she/her)
Co-Director
Erica is a rising senior in high school. She has been a part of 7 shows in the past two years: Almost Maine, Guess Who's Coming To Dinner, The Matchmaker, The Crucible, Hair (Circle Theater), Little Women, and recently Once on This Island (Civic Theater). Erica hopes to have a career in acting because of Viola Davis’ wise words, "We are the only profession that celebrates what it means to live a life. Erica is back for her 2nd year with the summer theater camp, but this time as an Assistant Director!
Hannah Cooke
(she/they)
Stage Manager
Hannah is a 2025 Graduate from Grand Valley State University studying Theatre and Advertising and Public Relations. Hannah has been involved with many productions at GVSU and has done a few community theatre productions as well in the Grand Rapids area. She also worked with last few years of summer camp at OTT Moana Jr, Madagascar Jr., and Seussical Jr. as a volunteer and Stage Manager, and is so excited to come back for this show!
Vicente Frampton
(he/him)
Music Director
After Dreamworks Madagascar Jr. in 2023, Mr. Vicente (vee-sen-tay) is absolutely thrilled to be returning to the OTT family as Music Director for Disney’s Descendants the Musical! Vicente has 10+ years of teaching music in the Grand Rapids area, and is currently the choir director at Grand Rapids Christian Middle School. As a lifelong learner, he holds a bachelor’s degree in music education from Calvin University and a master’s degree in music from Liberty University. In addition, Vicente is also involved in local ministry as worship leader at Cornerstone Church in Grand Rapids. In his free time, Vicente spends time with his family, reads books, and sings with the West Michigan Voices of Pride. Vicente loves this quote by Victor Hugo, “To love another person is to see the face of God.”
Yesenia Cotto
(she/her)
Choreographer
Yesenia Cotto is a passionate dance instructor with a foundation in jazz, hip hop, and modern dance. With 8 years of experience guiding young performers—from energetic preschoolers to aspiring high school artists—she specializes in introducing students to the world of movement through musical theatre. Yesenia has worked closely with schools and community theater programs, helping young dancers build confidence, technique, and stage presence in a supportive and creative environment. Her classes blend structure with imagination, encouraging students to explore storytelling through dance. Credits include Suessical Jr., Brooklyn Music School, Grand Rapids Summer Theater Camp 2024, Tick Tick Boom., Circle Theater, Shrek the Musical., East Kentwood High School; and Catholic Central High School, The Music of Motown., Circle Theater.
Mackenzie Kasiorek
(she/her)
Assistant Choreogrpaher & Music Director
More about Miss Kenzie to come!
Jennifer Smith
(she/her)
Student Support & Counselor Advisor
In 2004, at 21, Jennifer Bought Over The Top Academy of Dance, her childhood dance studio from the owners who helped her develop personally and professionally. Since then, Jennifer has shown the Alger Heights community what the life skills of dance can do. One of the keys for Jennifer in building her business is her abilities as a leader and mentor/ She has an uncanny ability to identify the best talents in her students and coaches them to become champions. Jennifer's love of Tap and musicality, combined with her genuine commitment to bringing the best out her dancers allowed her to create stories. Stories her dancers could feel and would live in each piece because each dance created from a place of understanding the history and presenting it with authenticity. Because Tap dance has given her so much, Jennifer is looking to pay this goodness forward by creating opportunities for young dancers to be inspired, for teachers to find mentors and veterans of the Tap world can continue to grow and enjoy dancing.
Brianna Dame
(she/her)
Counselor
Brianna Dame was born and raised in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She is currently a senior in high school and will be graduating in May. Brianna began dancing at the age of 5 and continues to pursue her passion for dance. This summer marks her second time working as a camp counselor at Over The Top Dance Academy, where she enjoys mentoring and inspiring young dancers.
Naomi DeJong
(she/her)
Counselor
Naomi DeJong is a recent high school graduate from The Potter's House Christian High School, bound toward Western Michigan University after a gap year to work and volunteer. She has loved theatre since she was little and has been in all of her school's productions, whether it was onstage or as assistant director. Naomi is so excited to work at Over the Top for her second summer and can't wait to help with OTT's production of Descendants!
Rylee Brown
(she/her)
Counselor
More abotu Miss Rylee to come!
Kelly Allen
(she/her)
Parent Captain & Designer
Kelly is a CRU dance and Summer Theater Camp mom, an adult tap dancer, and a Graphic Designer. She has been with the studio for 6 years. She also runs the website for purchasing studio gear. Whether she is watching her daughter dance, changing out the bulletin board, or hot gluing a prop, she can usually be found somewhere in the studio. Kelly has a passion for the work that OTT does with all of their young artists, and to say she is excited about our production of Descendants would be an understatement!
Danielle Quinn
(she/her)
Parent Captain & Designer
More about Miss Danielle to come!
Trent Wadsworth
(she/her)
Scenic & Lighting Designer
More about Trent to come!
Adéagbo (Adé) Bernard
(he/him)
Production Manager
Ajamu Bernard is a Community FItness Activist, a TRX master trainer and author of the Kettlebell Samurai Method. He leads education courses and hosts workshops that use storytelling and movement to share his wisdom. As a strength coach and pilates instructor he integrates bodyweight skills, Kettlebell Samurai Method and Classical Pilates to give a comprehensive mobility and strength improvement experience. Ajamu loves to run, play soccer and compete in Kettlebell Juggling Shows.
Disney's DESCENDANTS THE MUSICAL is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI, 421 West 54th Street, New York, NY 10019 Phone: 212-541-4684 Fax: 212-397-4684 www.MTIShows.com.