Summer musical camp filling up

Given the success of River Theatre’s Summer Musical Theatre program over the last four years, director Renée Martin-Brown has decided to go ahead with the camp for another summer.
In fact, she’s even expanding the program.
Instead of holding it over one week, with space for only 30 eight to 12-year-olds, Martin-Brown now will offer the camp over two weeks for two age groups—ages eight-11 and 12-16—allowing 30 participants in each group.
“Some of the same kids want to return but they keep getting older,” she explained. “And it’s a big difference if you have 15-year-olds with eight-year-old, so I’m having two groups because I wanted to give them the opportunity to come back.”
The program for those aged eight-11 will be held July 3-7 and will be working on the musical entitled “Bugz.” The older group will meet July 24-28 and prepare the musical “Rock!”
All sessions will run from 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Emo Legion, and each student must bring their own lunch.
Martin-Brown noted “Bugz” has a nice moral to the story and is appropriate for the age group while “Rock!” features certain eras of rock music.
“The songs will be stylistically the same, but will not be well-known songs,” she explained.
Taught solely by Martin-Brown, the program not only focuses on singing and acting, but also elementary aspects of choreography.
“They will have about six songs and six scenes,” she noted. “And all the students have some part to play.”
But she stressed she does not force anyone to do anything they don’t want to do.
“Those who want to have the opportunity to shine,” Martin-Brown said, adding there are a few solo performances.
“It’s good for children who are interested in the arts who haven’t had the opportunity to try the other side of it,” she remarked.
For instance, those who take dance lessons may not have tried acting or singing while those who play instruments may not have attempted any choreography.
“They can come and see what it’s all about,” Martin-Brown said.
Students not only learn theatre skills, such as dramatic selections, characterization, improvisation, and vocal development, but also personal skills like confidence, creativity, and teamwork.
“It’s important to show kids they have other strengths that they might not have developed yet,” Martin-Brown explained.
And she stressed it’s not all work—there are some games, crafts, and even a pizza party on the final day.
Then around 5 p.m. on the Friday of each week, the participants will perform the musical they’ve been working.
“There’s minimal costumes and props, but the kids do the whole thing from memory—the lines, songs, and dances,” Martin-Brown enthused. “It’s amazing to watch it all come together.
“They work so hard all week and they always come through with a fantastic show.”
Martin-Brown said the youngsters, while tired by the end of the program, have a good time and she always gets positive feedback from the parents.
“The fact that many of the kids want to come back speaks volumes for itself,” she reasoned.
In the past, Martin-Brown has had participants from all over the district, including Fort Frances, Rainy River, Nestor Falls, Devlin, and Emo.
“If other people are coming from one area, the parents are always good about carpooling,” she noted. “It can often be arranged so they are not making two trips to Emo a day.
“Instead it might be just a couple trips during the week.
“It’s never been a problem before,” she added.
Martin-Brown also stressed any level of musical experience is welcomed.
“This is the opportunity to try it out, to see how comfortable they are,” she remarked, saying both boys and girls are encouraged to participate.
“There are already a few boys registered,” she enthused. “It will be more boys than I’ve ever had before.”
In fact, Martin-Brown said about half the spaces already are filled.
“It’s look very promising,” she noted. “But people should let me know as soon as possible if they are interested because I can only take so many.
“I’m hoping to fill it right up.”
Those interested can contact Martin-Brown at 482-3055 to receive a registration form. The cost is $125 per participant and the deadline to register is June 16.
A $20 late fee will be applied to registrations after that date (if there are any spaces still available by then).