Ryan Maloney, 18, started with Sunshine Stage during its first year, four years ago, when a few Medfield High School Drama Society seniors and juniors (including his sister) began the camp for young children to learn the basic skills of acting.  

He was a MHS freshman and Counselor in Training when he started. Last month, he graduated from MHS and is now serving as this year’s camp director. 

“Sunshine stage is a great opportunity for kids to explore the basics of acting in a safe environment,” said Maloney, who will attend New York University in the fall.  “Kids learn skills of teamwork and gain more confidence in front of others and with themselves.  It’s also a great time the kids can have together, leaving parents alone for a short break every day.”

All counselors are Drama Society teens.

The student-run four-hour camp is for children ages 6 to 11 years old and introduces campers to basic acting and audition skills through theater games and the production of a play they perform for family and friends on their last day of camp. 

Sunshine Stage runs in three sessions -- July 9 to 13, July 30 to August 3, and August 6 to 10 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. – and is held at the First Parish Unitarian Universalist of Medfield which is transformed into performance space. 

“We set up an area under the shade of a tree and have blankets and snack,” he said, noting the group tries to meet outside as much as possible.

“At the end of the week, the kids work together to create a set out of cardboard boxes and paint…We're feeling ambitious this year so we may try to construct a set out of wood,” he said. 

Each session culminates with a performance at noon on Friday. 

There are still camper spots available for the remaining sessions.  The cost is $150 per camper.

For more information or to register, contact Maloney at rypmaloney@gmail.com or call 508-359-4936 or 508-641-6024.