KIDSTAGE
Spotlight on KIDSTAGE Summer Camp Teachers
KIDSTAGE teachers are incredible educators and artists, and many work professionally in theater as a career. Jared James and Audrey Weir are two wonderful examples. Let’s shine the spotlight on them and their exciting camps!
Meet Summer Camp Teacher Jared James
Jared James, KIDSTAGE Summer Camp Teacher in Issaquah.
Q: What do your students say they love most about their KIDSTAGE camps?
How much fun we get to have! My campers are always playing tons of games and having a great time together.
Q: Sure, you’ll get better at whatever skill you’re practicing like acting, singing, or dancing—what other good stuff do students get out of a KIDSTAGE camp?
I am very big on bringing a sense of community into my classroom. If there’s anything I want kids to learn, it’s how to be a good human!
Q: What are some particular things you do to create a space in which every student feels comfortable and welcome, regardless of skill level?
In my camp everybody will have a chance to shine! Everybody typically has a named role with lines, and everybody participates together in our sharing.
Q: How to you work with to students who are repeating a camp?
I love having repeat students! We get to continue working on the skills we’ve started, and it’s always great to see a familiar face. My camp always has new material to work on, so nobody will be doing the same things we’ve previously worked on. Looking forward to seeing you in my camp!
Jared’s Issaquah Camps
Jared is teaching these Summer Camps:
- Mini Musicals: Hard Knock Life
- Broadway KIDS: Wicked & Other Broadway Epics
- Musical Theatre Workshop: Lin-Manuel Musicals All-Day
- Musical Theatre Workshop: Fright of Their Lives All-Day
About Jared
Jared graduated in 2014 from the Chicago College of Performing Arts in 2014 with a BFA in musical theater, and has been acting, directing and choreographing ever since. Favorite acting credits include Ancestor and u/s Fester in The Addams Family and Danny Patridge in The Bardy Bunch (Mercury Theatre), Ensemble in Gypsy (Chicago Shakespeare Theater), and Arnie in Arnie the Donut (Lifeline Theatre). He has directed and taught with Skyline Children’s Theatre, Children’s Theatre of Winnetka, Emerald City Children’s Theatre, and Village Theatre. Favorite directing credits include Matilda, The Wizard of Oz and Disney’s The Lion King. Jared has also done work in the public school system in special education, is a sports coach, and is an autism advocate.
Meet Summer Camp Teacher Audrey Weir
Audrey Weir, KIDSTAGE Summer Camp Teacher in Everett.
Q: What do your students say they love most about their KIDSTAGE camps?
Students love when they get to contribute to the activities and projects unique to their camp. Getting to share that special knowledge and hard work with each other at the end of the week is always a highlight.
Q: Sure, you’ll get better at whatever skill you’re practicing like acting, singing, or dancing—what other good stuff do students get out of a KIDSTAGE camp?
KIDSTAGE students gain so much personal confidence through their experience in camps. That confidence can be seen in how they make new friends, bravely try new things, and more freely express themselves, which are big skills to have on and off the stage.
Q: What are some particular things you do to create a space in which every student feels comfortable and welcome, regardless of skill level?
I incorporate familiar “non-theatrical” activities into camps, often suggested by students, so students can proudly use their prior experience. Then, as they learn new material, students can discover how capable they are through the skills and creativity which they bring with them.
Q: What activities or skills are you most excited for your students to learn this summer?
I always look forward to seeing how each camp builds a unique ensemble. Watching students learn about each other and how to work together to have fun and create as a unit is always extremely rewarding!
Audrey’s Everett Camps
Audrey is teaching these Summer Camps:
- Drama Discovery: Wands & Wizards
- Let’s Act: Wizarding Worlds
- Drama Discovery: Dragon Training
- Drama Discovery: Storybook Adventures
- Drama Discovery: Bluey & other Puppy Pals
- Mini Musicals: Do You Wanna Build a Snowman
About Audrey
Audrey Weir is a performer and creator who grew up in and around KIDSTAGE, and is thrilled to be back as an instructor! Currently, Audrey is pursuing a degree in theatre with a minor in education from Smith College, and is a former Teaching Artist Apprentice at KIDSTAGE. As a performer, she has recently been seen as Nick Bottom in Something Rotten, Stuff in Everybody, and Mr. Darcy in You on the Moors Now (Smith College). Alongside performance, Audrey also has experience in directing, costume design, and set construction, and is deeply passionate about all types of cross-disciplinary creation and collaboration in the theatre.
Originally published May 6, 2025
