Thoughts and Opinions On Today's Important Issues

Friday, June 27, 2008

Keep Your Kids Occupied This Summer


THEATRE COMPANY SETS THE STAGE FOR LOCAL YOUTH TO SHINE
Windsor Light Music Theatre gears up for the launch of their new Musical Theatre Summer Camp

Windsor, ON - This summer, Windsor Light Music Theatre’s rehearsal facilities will be abuzz with the sound of local youngsters singing, dancing and having fun as they participate in the premier theatre company’s brand new Summer Camp Musical.

The company, which celebrates it’s 60th anniversary this year, has been considering the possibility of running a summer day camp for years and organizers are thrilled that their vision is finally coming to fruition. They hope that the camp will attract more young people to Windsor’s arts community and aim to give campers a fun experience while preparing them for future musical theatre endeavours such as high school musicals, post-secondary dramatic arts education, and future Windsor Light shows.

“Summer Camp Musical is a new adventure for Windsor Light and its campers,” explains WLMT President Carol Crooks. “By offering this camp, Windsor Light is setting the stage for future musical theatre aficionados, members and those who just want to have some summer fun.”

Under the guidance of talented and energetic professional arts educators and performers, the campers will be engaging in skill building activities, games, and workshops to train them in the areas of movement, dance, voice, auditioning, character development, ensemble building, improvisation and more. They will also have a chance to discover the thrill of performing for an audience in a culminating performance.

Windsor Light’s staff is hard at work in preparation for the camp’s opening week. “We have a really great line up of activities planned” says instructor Robin Shugart, a fourth year Drama and Education Student at the University of Windsor. “I’m looking forward to seeing how the kids grow over the course of the sessions, and to see it demonstrated in their final performances.”

Instructor Lauren O’Neil is confident that the camp will be a success. “Musical Theatre is becoming more popular among young people right now.” O’Neil, also a student at the University of Windsor, credits films like “high school musical” and “hairspray” in part for a resurgence in musical theatre’s popularity in recent years.

“This program is great in so many ways – we’ve put a lot of thought and preparation into it.” she continues. “I know that the campers are going to have a blast and improve their performing skills, but I also think that they’re going to come out of this feeling more confident in general.”

Current research confirms that participating in dramatic arts can hold a multitude of benefits for young people including improved communication, leadership and speaking skills, social growth, raised self esteem, and heightened imagination and esthetic awareness.

The camp will take place during two separate two week sessions at WLMT’s well equipped rehearsal facilities from 9:00am – 4:00pm, Monday - Friday. Session one will run from July 7-18th for campers aged 9-12 and session two will run from July 21-Aug 1 for ages 13 – 17. Both sessions will feature workshops provided by professional arts educators and performers, the use of WLMT costumes, props and makeup, a free camp T-Shirt, a complimentary lunch, and will commence with a final performance on the last day of the camp session.

For more information or to register please call Windsor Light Music Theatre’s box office at 519-974-6593 or visit www.windsorlight.com