Summer Camp 2019
2019 Summer Camp.
Camp was conducted from July 1st through August 2nd. 34 students participated in camp which met daily from 12:30 to 4:00. A primary focus of this corner stone program is theatre education and enrichment where students receive instruction and guidance for acting, singing, and dancing. But, camp is also about coming together as a community, meeting new people with similar interests, and above all having fun! AND, camp is about putting on a great show to highlight the student talents and skills developed and refined during camp.
This year’s show was Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Jr. Students performed for over 700 audience members during the two weekend run in August. Many roles were double cast so that more students could have an opportunity to shine in lead or supporting roles. The audience’s enthusiasm and applause during performances is always a welcome sight and sound for cast members and production staff alike and this year was no different!
MYACT’s Board of Directors is committed to providing opportunities for community members of all ages under a variety of circumstances. The Board was pleased to have awarded four scholarships to students who would not have been able to participate in camp without this financial assistance. The word “community” in the name Mountain Youth and Community Theatre is not lost on this Board!
As you know or can imagine, it takes competent and committed leaders to run a summer camp or a musical theatre endeavor. We were lucky this year to have the following Camp leaders and production staff:
- Director – Amie Riggs
- Musical Director – Lauren Brasesco *
- Choreographers – Janae Perkins and Gracen Harvey *
- Stage Managers – Sabrina Jensen * and Gin Oellrich
* MYACT Youth Alumni
Reflections on camp from the Director, Amie Riggs:
“Working with the kids this summer was an incredible learning experience. As a first time director, I learned just as much as some of the kids in camp. I was so proud of each performer. It was also great to see how things work behind the scenes at a community theatre. It takes a village to put on a production and to see friends, parents, grandparents and board members all come together to help out was wonderful. The kids really loved acting. They would come up to me each day and ask if we were going to be focusing the day on blocking. They also loved the ritual of doing warmups before each performance. With any group of kids and teens there is bound to be disagreement. But I was lucky to work with students who were committed to creating a supportive community for one another. On the first day of camp we all sat down and let the students help make rules. They included anything from “use the stairs to get on/off the stage” to “no bullying or cliques.” Everyone, including the summer camp staff, signed the list of rules to indicate that we would all follow the rules to make camp fun and safe for everyone. Directing isn’t always easy, but in the end all our hard work paid off.”
Thanks to the production staff, students, family and friends, and community volunteers for helping to make this year’s Summer Camp a great success!