- November 26, 2024
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Costume-clad children shuffle out of dressing rooms, tiny girls spin in pirouettes, young boys rehearse on a darkened stage and a cluster of kids sing Broadway tunes.
Summer at the Flagler Playhouse is in full swing.
The theater is holding its third-annual summer musical theater camp this year. About 45 children are enrolled, with the campers ranging from ages 8 to 16.
Campers learn acting, singing and dancing techniques.
Camp Director Ann Paris also teaches drama, chorus, dance and musical theater at Buddy Taylor Middle School.
“I think the speed in which they’ve learned the songs is pretty amazing,” she said. “It’s amazing what they can learn in very little time.”
Paris said the camp is based on skills, and the kids learn the basics of performing. The kids perform solos, duets and ensemble pieces.
Pat Love, president of the theater, has received tremendous feedback from campers’ parents.
“It gives (the children) self-confidence. It gives them incredible collaborative skills,” she said. “Everyone increases in confidence.”
Love said a typical camp day includes a warm-up, choreography, performance skill groups and finally a group number rehearsal. She said the turnout this year was very high, and next year the theater will hold more camp dates. The theater will also hold workshops later in the year.
Gunning for Broadway
Paris said some campers would like to go on to teach drama and even become professional performers.
Cassidy Van Brink, a 12-year-old student at Indian Trails Middle School, is preparing an audition tape to send to casting producers for “Annie” on Broadway. After hearing about an upcoming cast replacement, she decided to try out for the production.
“I knew that they were going to cast again,” she said. “I figured if I could get on Broadway … it would be a lot of fun and I could make money along the way.”
The pint-sized performer, who wants to be a professional, said her favorite part of camp is working on routines with Paris.
“We choreograph the numbers and we run them,” Van Brink said. “It was a lot of fun doing them.”
This is her third year participating.
Tatum Souviron, a 9-year-old student at Polo Ridge Elementary School in Charlotte, N.C., said she could only go to performing arts camp if it was at the Playhouse. She flew down to Florida to perform on Flagler’s well-known stage for a second year.
“I really enjoyed the teachers here,” she said. “This is the only camp I really want to be at.”
Showcase on June 21
A showcase to present the children’s performances to family members will take place 1 p.m. Friday, June 21. There is no charge, but patrons would have to contact the theater due to limited seating.
Campers will perform musical favorites such as “Under the Sea” from “The Little Mermaid,” “Welcome to the ’60s” from “Hairspray,” and “Oh, the Things You Can Think” from “Seussical.”
Upcoming season, 2013-2014
“Baby: The New Musical”
Sept. 20 to Oct. 6, 2013
“Moon Over Buffalo”
Nov. 1-17, 2013
“Annie, Jr.”
Dec. 6-15, 2013
“On Golden Pond”
Jan. 24 to Feb. 9, 2014
“Sylvia”
March 14-30, 2014
“Urinetown”
April 25 to May 11, 2014
