BEREA, Ky. — For families in Berea, summer activities often come with a familiar balancing act: finding something meaningful for the children, manageable for the parents, and flexible enough to fit a packed seasonal calendar.
Spotlight Acting School’s new Summer Workshop Intensive, “Oh, Those Summer Nights,” appears built with exactly that challenge in mind. Offering a unique intergenerational theater experience for ages 9 to 99 at The Spotlight Playhouse, the workshop is a chance to make theater a shared family memory rather than a spectator activity.
🎭 A Shared Family Experience
Running from June 14 through June 27, the intensive is open not only to children and teens, but also to community members, parents, and even grandparents. Spotlight describes the program as a high-energy musical celebration of the 1950s and 1960s. Participants will spend two weeks building skills in singing, movement, stage presence, and performance confidence before presenting two live performances on the Spotlight stage.
That family-centered setup is what makes this intensive stand out. Instead of simply dropping children off for another summer program, parents and grandparents are invited to be part of the experience themselves. In fact, this marks the first time in Spotlight’s history that the school is intentionally bringing adult students into the rehearsal room alongside younger performers, bridging the gap between generations and experience levels.
✅ Low Pressure, High Reward
Another point likely to resonate with families is the low-pressure entry. There is no audition required to participate—everyone who enrolls will be in the show.
While soloists may be selected during the rehearsal process, the environment is designed to be highly supportive, entirely removing the stress of competitive casting. That is especially welcoming for first-time performers, hesitant adults, or children who want to try theater without the fear of being cut.
The cost is also structured with families in mind. Rather than charging per person, Spotlight is marketing the intensive as a flat-rate opportunity to bring the whole household. Participants will provide their own simple, 1950s- and 1960s-inspired costumes, with guidance supplied after enrollment.
🕒 A Schedule Built for Working Parents
The schedule is designed around evening rehearsals, making participation much easier for working families:
- Enrollment Meeting: Sunday, June 14, at 5:30 p.m.
- Rehearsals: Monday–Friday, June 15–19, and Monday–Thursday, June 22–25 (5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.)
- Performances: Friday, June 26, and Saturday, June 27, at 6:30 p.m. (Call time at 5:30 p.m.)
- Location: The Spotlight Playhouse, 214 Richmond Rd N, Berea
- Cost: $150 per family (covers all participating household members)
For households in Berea, “Oh, Those Summer Nights” is more than just another summer arts offering. It is a genuine community-building event—one where a parent, child, and grandparent could conceivably stand under the exact same stage lights this summer.
Click Here to Enroll in “Oh, Those Summer Nights”
About the Author
Dr. Chad Hembree serves as the Executive Director of Spotlight Acting School, The Spotlight Playhouse, and Spotlight Performing Arts. Affectionately known as “Mr. Chad,” he is an accomplished performer, director, and creative executive who draws on his broad experience to guide students and staff with creativity, care, and a passion for making community events accessible to everyone in Berea.
Upcoming Events in Berea & Beyond
🎭 Theater & Performance at The Spotlight Playhouse
(Tickets and info for all shows: thespotlightplayhouse.com)
- The Booking Committee (The Bluegrass Players) — April 17–25
- Disney’s Finding Nemo KIDS (Ages 4–11) — April 24–26
- Madagascar: A Musical Adventure JR. (Ages 9–14) — May 1–10
- The Secret Garden (The Bluegrass Players) — May 1–10
- Macbeth (The Bluegrass Players) — June 19–28
- Wolves of Sherwood (The Bluegrass Players) — July 31 – Aug 8