This is the first year that the summer camp has been held and Sandra Epperson, artistic executive director of Sandhills Theatre Company, says the idea for the camp came as a way to introduce acting classes planned for the fall by ACMC and the STC.
The 45 young thespians, ages 8-14, began their study of dance, drama, music and technical theater on July 8. Instructors for the camp are Marci Houseman, dance and lead teacher, Sandra Epperson, technical theater, Morgen Pinnock, drama and technical theater, Jennifer Starkey, music and drama, and Nancy Arnold, music.
The camp focuses on different areas of theater instruction by splitting the students into groups and then letting them spend time with their teachers in specialized areas.
Madison Fry, 10, a participant in the camp says that so far he has learned a lot of dance steps, and a lot of songs.
“I’m probably going to learn a lot more about tech because I am going to be on the tech crew,” Fry says.
Teachers say what Fry says he has learned is typical of all campers because of the teaching techniques used during the classes.
Pinnock says she teaches drama to campers by using three main elements which are mind, voice and body.
Students learn about the mind element through such things as character sketches and improvisation. They learn about the voice element through accents and diction, for example how a character might be portrayed as old or young through their voice; and students learn about the movement element by thinking about such things as how a specific character might walk. Students then learn how to combine the three elements, Pinnock says.
According to Arnold, when learning about music, campers are instructed in the importance of breathing, posture and projection. They are also taught about diction, vocal techniques and group choral methods.
Dance, another component of the camp, is taught in keeping with voice.
“Students learn that musical theater requires choreography that allows them to sing and dance at the same time,” Houseman says.
After learning different dance steps and techniques the students each become a choreographer by making up their own dance to present during the camp.
“Students of all different abilities come up and it is important that they all feel comfortable on stage,” Houseman says.
When studying technical theater the campers took a field trip to the Sunrise Theatre’s lighting booth.
“They were taught how lighting can affect a play,” STC’s Epperson says.
Chris Dunn of the Arts Council of Moore County is pleased with the turnout.
“ I am amazed with the positive response we have received from the children and the parents about the theater camp,” Dunn says.
Houseman agrees the camp has been successful .
“I think the kids have learned amazingly well,” she says. “They are listening and learning. They all have a lot of energy and they are all talented.”
The camp is receiveng good reviews from participants.
Chelsea Scott, 14, has performed in the plays Scrooge and Annie Jr. Even with her experience she says she’s broken new ground including backstage tech skills and new acting techniques.
The camp will conclude on July 27 and 28 when campers receive the opportunity to show off everything they have learned with a presentation of Oliver Twist.
Dunn says, “Hopefully, we will be able to offer programs like this more often so that more children can participate.”
‘Oliver Twist‘ Is Product of Classroom Learning
“Oliver Twist” will be presented by the Summer Theater Camp 2001 on Friday, July 27, at 7 p.m. and Saturday, July 28,at 11 a.m and 7p.m.
“Oliver Twist brings the past to life with a musical adaption of the classic Charles Dickens tale. Young Oliver Twist finds adventure and intrigue with Fagin, Bill Sikes, the Artful Dodger, Nancy and other young street urchins.
The musical will mark the conclusion of the Summer 2001 theater camp organized through the Arts Council of Moore County and the Sandhills Theatre Company. The cast will be assembled with the following forty-five campers.
Claire Arnold, Ben Berk, Sarah Berk, Desiree Bettini, Fred Billings, Lauren Bleggi, Cassandra Cangemi, Derrick Case, Kristina Cox, Amy Damone, Samantha Davis, Madison Fry, Jake Hamilton, Matthew Hazzard, Hunter Horne, Carina Houseman, Cori Johnson, Frances Kenworthy, Damara Laws, Rebecca Libby, Katie Maness, Kayla Mercier, Corie McInnis, Brooke McLean, Cameron Miller, Morgan Mills, Jennifer Musser, Katelyn Nall, Jacob Parr, Ashley Peck, Alicia Pipkin, Nicole Poteat, Kathy Purvis, Rebecca Ruck, Elizabeth Sanders, Justin Schaad, Blake Schrein, Chelsea Scott, Quinn Scott, Kate Stetson, Jordan Thompson, Jesse Winstead, Joshua Wolonick, Jason Wolonick, and Evan Yang.
Tickets for the performance are $4 for ACMC members/ STC subscibers and $6 for nonmembers, and are available at the Campbell House (482 E. Connecticut Ave, Southern Pines) and at the Sunrise Theater box office 30 minutes before each show.
Summer Theater Camp 2001 and “Oliver Twist” are sponosored by Realty World Pinnock.
