The Acorn Dramatic Arts (TADA) Program

The Acorn Dramatic Arts program exists to introduce and grow a love of musical theater to children and teens in the community who have no experience, and flourish musical theater as a passion for children and teens in the community who have already begun their exploration of musical theater.

We believe that there is something for everybody to love about theater – whether that’s the stage, set building, stage managing, backstage tech, or any other little detail that goes into a production.

Summer 2025

Roar into summer with The Acorn's beloved Dramatic Arts Camp! We're thrilled to present our third year of fostering a love for musical theater in the Harbor Country community! For four weeks, young performers ages 8-16 will dive into the wild world of The Jungle Book, culminating in a spectacular community performance on Friday, August 8th!

This adventure welcomes children and teens of all experience levels. Whether you're eager to take center stage, craft captivating sets, manage the backstage buzz, or explore the intricacies of stage tech, our camp offers a comprehensive and enriching experience.

We believe the magic of theater is for everyone! Our dedicated instructors will nurture your talents, ignite your imagination, and guide you through the exciting process of bringing The Jungle Book to life. Join us as we build confidence, create lasting memories, and celebrate the joy of performance.

Join us from July 14th to August 8th, Mondays through Thursdays, from 9am to noon ET. Best of all? Thanks to our generous underwriters, this incredible experience is absolutely FREE!

Mark your calendars for our grand finale performance on Friday, August 8th, where you'll witness the remarkable talent of our young performers.

Embark on a theatrical journey with us! All are welcome to discover the magic of The Acorn's Dramatic Arts Camp.

Register your child for Summer 2025!

The Acorn Dramatic Arts (TADA) Summer Youth Camp 2023 – The Wizard of Oz

For more information please email Michael Bond, Senior Production Manager for The Acorn and Camp Director.
 

 

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JazzReach at The Acorn

JazzReach is a nationally recognized New York City-based 501(c) (3) not-for-profit organization dedicated to the promotion, performance, creation and teaching of jazz music. Through the presentation of innovative, widely acclaimed live multi-media educational programs for young audiences, captivating main-stage concerts for general audiences and informative clinics and master-classes for student musicians and ensembles, JazzReach is steadfastly dedicated to fostering a greater appreciation, awareness and understanding of this rich, vital, ever-evolving American art form.

For the third year, The Acorn is proud to partner with JazzReach to present free community and educational programming this November.

All JazzReach events are free to attend through generous support from our sponsors.

Thank you to our sponsors!
Shannon & Don Ensing
Michigan Arts & Culture Council
The Pokagon Fund
Monday Musical Club
Berrien Community Foundation

Wednesday, November 5 @ 7pm ET
The Acorn and JazzReach present An Evening with Metta Quintet

For the third year, The Acorn is proud to partner with JazzReach to present free community and educational programming this November. Join us for a free community concert – An Evening with JazzReach’s Metta Quintet to kick off the 3-day residency!

Friday, November 7 @ 7pm ET
The Acorn and JazzReach present Sittin’ In and Groovin’ Out featuring Metta Quintet plus special guests: River Valley High School Jazz Orchestra

Sittin’ In and Groovin’ Out promotes creativity and teamwork, builds confidence, cultivates a deeper appreciation of jazz music, improves students' overall musicianship and improvisational skills and inspires students to want to continue to improve and excel in both music and life. Band students at River Valley High School will participate in this intensive three-day residency culminating in a performance with JazzReach’s Metta Quintet.

November 5–7: Jean-Michel and the Be-Bop Kings
Local elementary schools will also be participating in free programming at The Acorn each morning. Jean-Michel Basquiat (b.1960-d.1988) ranks among the most compelling painters of the 20th Century. He possessed a deep love and passion for jazz, particularly the be-bop style, and found great inspiration in the creative achievements of the genre’s great masters, often paying homage by depicting them in his paintings as noblemen, kings and heroes. Not unlike the music of Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, Max Roach, Dizzy Gillespie and other architects of modern jazz, Basquiat’s work possesses visceral intensity, humor, spontaneity, fire and grit.

On one of the days this year, students will be staying afterwards to finish an exciting visual arts tie-in led by River Valley Elementary School Art Teacher, Rhea Folk.

 

Past Programs:

Over the course of the four-day November 2024 JazzReach residency, over 500 students from River Valley Elementary and High Schools, Bridgman Elementary School and New Buffalo Elementary School participated in interactive music enrichment programs. For the elementary-aged students, we presented JazzReach’s Get Hip!, a fun, interactive introduction to jazz that illuminates the art form's cultural origins, concepts about improvisation and creative self-expression. Select River Valley High School Band students went deeper, working with JazzReach’s Metta Quintet for three days as part of the Sittin’ In and Groovin’ Out program, which culminated in a joint concert on Friday night at The Acorn.

In addition, a free community concert was held to kick off the residency on Wednesday, November 6th, and we closed out our time with JazzReach on Saturday for another free event – Stolen Moments: The First 100 Years of Jazz.

 

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