Performing Arts Specialists

Henry H., Drama

Henry is excited to spend the summer at Elmwood Day Camp as a Drama Specialist, teaching children of all ages about the magic of theatre. Henry recently graduated from Marymount Manhattan College with a B.A. in Theatre Arts with a double concentration in Theatre Performance and Producing & Management. He has worked as a Director, Stage Manager, and Actor with companies such as the Adirondack Theatre Festival, Untitled Theatre Company #61, Theatre for Young America, and the Kansas City Fringe Festival, and has experience in children’s theatre both onstage and off. Henry grew up on a farm outside of Kansas City, and during the summers, split his time between various summer camps and competing in Chicken Showmanship competitions through 4-H. He loves hiking, reading, and exploring new places. A fun fact about Henry is that his first name is actually just the letter “D”.

Kayla M., Dance

Kayla is a rising senior musical theater major with a minor in dance at Syracuse University. She has been dancing and performing since she was three and specifically loves jazz dance. Kayla is excited to start her first summer at Elmwood! She is particularly excited to share her love of movement and dance with the campers. Outside of camp, she loves physical fitness which includes group fitness classes, pilates and weightlifting. Her close friends would describe her as witty, collaborative and playful. A little fun fact is that Kayla used to compete on a Synchronized Ice Skating team for three years.

Matt T., Drama

Matthew Tiemstra is a New York City based actor, teacher, writer, and musician. He was born and raised in Oakland, California, where he found his love for acting and teaching in Bay Area Shakespeare Camps. He has a BA in Theater-Performance from Fordham University. His acting projects have ranged from classical works, such as Shakespeare (Twelfth Night, Macbeth), to contemporary, in both stage and screen. He wrote and produced his play The Clockwork Boy in 2016. He was also a mime once. When not working, he loves baseball, books, video games, movies, social dancing, and making the best cringe-worthy puns in the tri-state area.