Overview
Join us for our brand new Intro to Technical Theater Camp for students interested in exploring the world behind the scenes!
This camp’s welcoming and creative environment is ideal for beginner students interested in technical theater. Students can attend all week to learn about all the technical areas (set, costumes, props, lights, sounds, hair and makeup, and design concepts) or can customize their schedule by selecting days specific to their area(s) of interest.
Students will apply their learning in a hands-on way with daily projects to build their tech portfolio and bring valuable knowledge back to their school theater programs.
In addition to creative projects, students will participate in masterclasses led by professional designers and technicians and will have the chance to tour George Mason University’s working theater labs and professional stages.
Monday: Design Concepts and Production (Recommended)

- All attending students are encouraged to attend this day as an introduction to design concepts. This day will be a beneficial launchpad for other days.
- Learn how to approach a text from a design perspective
- Explore design concepts through hands-on activities
- Learn about the different types of stages used throughout history and now
- Practice directing and stage management skills in a collaborative, low stakes environment
- Learn how to harness critical and creative thinking skills to enhance a theatrical production
Tuesday: Set, Props, and Scenic Painting

- Learn about the history of set, props, and scenic painting
- Harness the power of your imagination to build worlds
- Tour and explore a professional scene shop
- Apply techniques for fabricating your own scenic elements at home or at school through hands-on projects and activities
Wednesday: Lights and Sound

- Learn about the history of lighting and sound design in theatre
- Explore how light and sound can be used to enhance theatrical productions
- Tour and explore professional light and sound spaces and equipment
- Learn and apply concepts for light and sound in theatre through hands-on activities
Thursday: Hair and Makeup

- Learn about the history of hair and makeup design in theatre
- Compare and contrast beauty makeup and theatrical makeup
- Tour and explore professional hair and makeup spaces and equipment
- Explore and identify the use of hair and makeup design in various theatrical productions
- Practice techniques for theatrical hair and makeup through hands-on activities
Friday: Costumes

- Learn about the history of costume design in theatre
- Tour and explore professional costume design spaces and equipment
- Explore and identify the use of costume design in various theatrical productions
- Participate in a variety of hands-on activities to enhance skills in costume design, costume construction, costume management, and more!
Program Details
Ages: 11–15 (rising grades 6–10)
Dates: July 28–August 1, 2025
9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Tuition: $495 (discounted, full week); $125 per day
Multi-day discount: Receive $5 off for each additional day attending, up to four days
Registration Deadline: July 1, 2025. Receive $5 off Early Bird Discount for full-week registration before May 15
Location: George Mason University Fairfax Campus, de Laski Performing Arts Building
Registration
Full week (Monday–Friday)
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Program Faculty

Katie Brunberg
Instructor
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Katie Brunberg is an active professional Theatre artist in the Washington D.C. metro area with a focus in Theatre Arts education, specializing in performance and scenic design. Ms. Brunberg has worked for over 10 years as a teaching artist with Acting for Young People. Ms. Brunberg is currently the middle school theater teacher and technical director at Robinson Secondary School. Previously, she was the proud director of the Annandale High School Theatre company for eight years where she built a student-centered program and inclusive spaces both in and outside of the classroom. She is a regular contributor to the Fairfax County Public Schools theatre curriculum development. Ms. Brunberg graduated with a bachelors of the arts in Theatre and a K–12 Theatre Education certificate from George Mason University.
When Ms. Brunberg is not creating theatre on stage or behind the scenes, she can be found painting and working through her extensive board game collection with her theatre-loving husband, Josh McCreary.
Program Directors

Kaity Ormesher
Manager of Outreach and Theater Programs
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Kaity holds a B.A. in Theater and an M.A. in Arts Management from George Mason University. Kaity has been a part of the Acting for Young People team since 2008, working as a teaching artist in after school, summer camp, and showcase programs, as well as stage managing for AFYP’s Musical and Advanced Showcase programs. As of 2022, Kaity has moved out of the classroom to fully focus on the day-to-day operations of the organization as the Manager of Outreach and Theater Programs for the Academy.
Kaity has an extensive background in the arts and education. In addition to her theatrical interests, she enjoys sketching, watercolor, and is an avid reader. Kaity has taught children ranging from early childhood through high school levels since 2008. In her time as a student at GMU, she participated in many stage productions as an actor, stage manager, and technician. Kaity served on the board for GMU’s producing group, the Mason Players, for three years, and co-founded GMU’s chapter of Alpha Psi Omega, the theater honor fraternity. She received the Chris Parsons Achievement Award for her work with the theater department in 2010. Kaity has also worked professionally as a stage manager in the DC Metro Area. Kaity is the mother to twin girls. Kaity is passionate about the transformative experiences provided by arts education for people of all ages.

Mary Lechter
Academy Executive Director
School of Theater Faculty
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A graduate of University of Maryland, College Park with a Bachelor of Arts in Theater and Speech Communications, Mary has been working professionally as an actor in the metropolitan Washington-area, Los Angeles, and New York since 1985. She has worked at Washington area theaters including Theater of the First Amendment, Arena Stage, Studio Theatre, and Source Theatre. Television, radio and film credits include ABC’s All My Children, Barry Levinson’s Avalon, Diesel Films’ Dracula’s Mother, the MGM/Lionsgate thriller Hit and Run, and several spots for NPR’s Morning Edition.
Mary founded AFYP in 1997, and has seen the company grow from being its only teacher with a sporadic program schedule in rented spaces to where it is today: a year-round program with a full staff, working in conjunction with Potomac Arts Academy, for which she is Associate Director.
She is a longtime member of Mason’s School of Theater faculty in the areas of Performance and Theater Education. She was named a 2013 “Teacher of Distinction” and was a 2014 TEDxGeorgeMasonU speaker (“Magic Moments: the Transformative Power of Theater“). She previously taught at the Studio Theatre Acting Conservatory and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Her professional memberships include The Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, Actor’s Equity Association, and the Educational Theatre Association.
Mary’s directing credits include An Experiment with an Air Pump and Shakespeare in Hollywood (George Mason University); Still Beating Hearts and A Godless Man (Theater of the First Amendment First Light Festival); Happy Holidays, Charlie Brown, 101 Dalmatians, It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play; Willy Wonka, Jr.; Peter Pan, Jr.; A Seussified Christmas Carol; Alice in Wonderland, Jr. (AFYP).
Notes
- Please note that group classes are subject to cancellation if minimum enrollment is not reached.
- Be sure to check our policies and procedures regarding registration, withdrawals, refunds, and more for fall or spring group classes.
- All students will receive a Welcome Letter via email at least one week before the class starts with all necessary details.
- Online registration closes two business days before the first class, however space may still be available. Please contact [email protected] for more information. A $10 late registration fee may apply.
- For additional information, please contact the Academy at [email protected].