About Spotlight

Inspiring a lifetime love of the arts

Our History and philosophy

Spotlight on the Arts Summer Camps was founded in 2004 by Rob Tessier to meet the need of many Catholic families in Northern Virginia who seek excellent training in Theatre and Art for their children within an environment they can trust.

Only hosted by and advertised within Catholic Churches, we exclusively employ highly-qualified instructors who are both Catholic and artistically accomplished.

Well-received by pastors, families, and children, the camps continue to grow and expand. However, we insist on a small teacher-to-student ratio and, in addition to the excellent instructors, our founder, Rob, personally teaches at each theatre camp every day. The Art Camps are also taught by professional Catholic Art Teachers.

It’s the goal of the entire Spotlight team to foster a love for the arts and help young people develop skills that will help them for a lifetime.  

About the Founder

A father of nine children, including one with special needs, and with decades of professional experience in the arts, Rob Tessier, has a deep understanding of what kids need when it comes to arts instruction.

As an undergraduate theatre student at Miami University, Rob was invited by a number of community center organizations to teach at or design their curriculum for drama. In those early years, he also founded the St. Mark Theatre Ministry for Youth and Young Adults seeking a way to merge both faith and drama. 

From college, Rob was selected to attend the highly-competitive Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Clown College where he continued to receive a performance education from the top professionals in the world. He was hired to travel with the Greatest Show on Earth and even to this day is called on to do special events.

Following the Circus, Rob felt a strong calling to Youth Ministry so he left his performance career to become a parish Youth Minister in the Arlington Diocese. 

God has continually inspired Rob to integrate his theatrical training within his Youth Ministry which eventually led to his founding of the award-winning Upper Room Theatre Ministry and a few years later, the Spotlight on the Arts Summer Camps.

Please join us this year and see the difference the arts will make in YOUR child’s life!

All “Spotlight on the Arts” staff are approved to work with young people through the Child Protection & Safety Program sponsored by the Arlington Diocese.

Our camps are fully licensed and insured.