LI Broadway acting camps for kids

In the next few weeks, Long Island children have a chance to step out of the sunlight and into the spotlight.

A number of venues are offering weeklong Broadway camps focusing on acting and musical theater during August, many of them featuring lessons given by Broadway professionals such as 15-year-old Wantagh native Trent Kowalik, who shared a Tony Award for his performance in the starring role in "Billy Elliot."

"It's exciting for them to work with Broadway actors all week long," says Jessica Rofé, director of "A Class Act" camp at the Sid Jacobson JCC in Roslyn. Here are a variety of upcoming performing arts camp choices:

GLEE CLUB, 631-721-6690, gleeclubny.com

DATES: Aug 2 to 5, 1 to 5 p.m., Shoreham; Aug. 16 to 20, 9 a.m. to noon, Selden

FOR AGES 12 to 18

COST $150 a session

Glee Club is run by Broadway professionals and modeled after the hit TV show; each week culminates in a performance, says director Valeri Lantz-Gefroh. Students study professional singing technique and dance and rehearse a "Glee" mash-up of songs including sections of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow," "Don't Stop Believin' " and "Walking on Sunshine." At 8 p.m. on Aug. 23, at a "Broadway Faculty in Concert" that is open to the public, Glee Club campers will join Broadway stars Marie Danvers ("Phantom of the Opera"), Rob Gallagher ("Les Miserables") and Lisa Howard ("25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee") onstage for a finale. Concert is at Suffolk County Community College; tickets $20 adults, $10 students at gleeclubny.com or at the door.

A CLASS ACT, Sid Jacobson JCC, 300 Forest Dr., Roslyn, 516-484-1545, aclassactny.com

DATES: Aug. 23 to 27, 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., early drop-off at 9 is possible

FOR AGES 7 to 16 (split according to age)

COST $695 for members; $770 for nonmembers. Cost includes bus trip to Manhattan and ticket to "Billy Elliot"

Tony-Award winner Trent Kowalik, 15, of Wantagh, who played Billy in "Billy Elliot," will teach a dance workshop. Marissa Perry, who played the role of Tracy Turnblad in "Hairspray" on Broadway will teach a Musical Theater audition technique workshop. Judine Somerville, who also was in "Hairspray" and was a Rockette, is a faculty member. Other classes include "Acting for the Camera," "Stage Makeup" and "Intro to Shakespeare." Campers also see "Billy Elliot" on Broadway on Wednesday and have a "Talk Back" with actors after the show. Camp culminates in a musical review for family and friends.

CAMP BROADWAY, held at WESTHAMPTON BEACH PERFORMING ARTS CENTER,  76 Main St., 631-288-2350 ext. 102; whbpac.org

DATES: Aug. 9 to 13, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

FOR AGES 11 to 17

COST $750

Participants perform the Tony Award-winning musical "Guys and Dolls" led by director Holly Raye, who performed in the 1992 Broadway revival starring Nathan Lane. The campers learn specific choreography from the show, music and acting techniques. Special guest is producer Tony Ponturo of "Memphis."

BROADWAY BY THE BEACH, held at WESTHAMPTON BEACH PERFORMING ARTS CENTER,  76 Main St., 631-288-2350 ext. 102; whbpac.org

DATES: Monday to Aug. 6, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

FOR AGES 8 to 10

COST $425

Campers aren't working with Broadway professionals, but music and dance teachers introduce children to production numbers from "Hairspray," "The Little Mermaid" and "Annie Get Your Gun." Campers learn about choreography, props, costume design and working sets.

JOHN ENGEMAN THEATER SCHOOL OF THE PERFORMING ARTS, 250 Main St., Northport; 631-261-2900; engemantheater.com

The three-week August summer camp is sold out, but the theater is taking registration for fall classes, including "Story Book Theater," "Acting for the Camera" and "Broadway Teens," beginning in September and catering to ages 3 to 18. See the website for dates and prices.