The Kingston Performing Arts Camp is set to return for its second year with We Are Monsters
, an original children’s musical that promises to bring young performers, live music, and Broadway-inspired theatre to a local stage.

The production will be staged on Friday, July 31 at 6:00 pm and Saturday, August 1 at 2:00 pm at Shortwood Teachers’ College.

Presented by Full Circle Productions, the Kingston Performing Arts Camp is an annual four-week summer programme designed for children between the ages of seven and 11.

The camp combines professional-calibre musical theatre training with a supportive and inclusive educational environment, culminating in a full-length musical performed for a paying audience.

Alexandra Toupikov.

This year’s production, We Are Monsters, follows a group of children who sneak into a monster cabaret. They encounter an entertaining cast of quirky monster characters.

The approximately one-hour production features singing, acting, dancing, sets, lighting, costumes, and live music, offering audiences a theatrical experience designed to appeal to the entire family.

We Are Monsters is presented through special arrangement with Beat by Beat Press, while the book, music, and lyrics are by Denver Casado and Bettina Heishey.

According to director and Full Circle Productions founder Alexandra Toupikov the idea for the Kingston Performing Arts Camp was born out of her experience working at a high-end theatre camp in New York and recognising the need for a similar initiative in Jamaica.

“After spending time working on shows at a high-end theatre camp in New York, I realised how much we needed something like this in Jamaica. The camp prioritised combining professional-calibre shows with an inclusive, educational approach. This is where the Kingston Performing Arts Camp was born,” Toupikov told the Jamaica Observer’s Splash.

The camp places musical theatre education at the heart of its programme, with children receiving instruction in singing, acting, and dancing from young, seasoned professionals. Their daily activities also include performing arts games, arts and crafts and sports, creating a well-rounded summer experience that balances creativity with physical activity and fun.

Toupikov believes the benefits of the programme extend beyond the stage, noting that musical theatre can contribute positively to children’s psychosocial development while helping them develop conflict resolution and interpersonal communication skills.

“We believe strongly in the positive effects of musical theatre education on children’s psychosocial development, conflict resolution, and interpersonal communication skills. At the Kingston Performing Arts Camp, children receive musical theatre instruction by young, seasoned professionals, giving them a taste of the creative arts sector in Jamaica,” she said.

She added that the camp is intentionally structured to help children build confidence, discipline and imagination while keeping enjoyment at the centre of the experience.

For Toupikov, however, the ultimate goal extends beyond producing a successful musical. She hopes the experience will inspire children to continue exploring their creative potential long after the curtain closes.

“Young creatives deserve a space to nurture their skills, whether that be in painting, acting, singing, or dancing, and we hope this camp reminds them to pursue those dreams further,” she said, recalling last year’s production of 101 Dalmatians.

She is also encouraging families to attend the production and support the young performers who have spent weeks developing the show.

“This camp provides a fun, supportive atmosphere in which children can learn teamwork and problem-solving skills while stepping outside of their comfort zones to create lasting memories. A lifelong appreciation for the arts is vital in a country as culturally vibrant as Jamaica,” Toupikov added.