CHS Kid's Theatre Camp ready to raise the curtain
Chester High School'sw first Kid's Theatre Camp was a huge success, according to Director Brenda Coop.
The inaugural camp featured 30 campers eager to learn about life on the Juergen's Gym stage. All campers are also ready to perform at 7 p.m. March 17, prior to the opening curtain of Disney's "The Little Mermaid."
The campers shared a similar experience as the high school cast and will get to perform their camp routine for the audience attending the CHS Theater's spring production. The camper's performance will take place on the same stage as the high school performance on Juergen's Stage.
"The stage is just perfect to accommodate all 30 campers, so parents and the regular audience members will get to enjoy the kid's camp performance before the curtain opened for the high school production," Coop said.
All 30 campers paid a registration fee of $25, which included four days of training, a March 17 dress rehearsal, a camp T-shirt, and the performance.
"Campers learned singing, dancing, various stage moves, theater terminology and other theatre-related information during the camp," Coop said. "Each student received a 'Welcome Packet' that contained a music CD, lyrics, and other pertinent information. This packet allowed the campers to rehearse at home prior to camp sessions."
Four of the cast members of "The Little Mermaid" helped teach the students involved in the camp. The 30 campers were divided into four groups led by these four cast members. Group leaders included Jacob Hoffman who plays the role of Scuttle, Kylie Liefer who plays the role of Flotsam, Zach Zappa who plays the role of Prince Eric and Mitchell Colonel who plays the role of Sebastian.
During their Saturday night performance, the 30 campers will perform to the tune "Human Stuff." Coop noted that this song was included in the Broadway performance of "Little Mermaid," but it was not included in the National Tour. Therefore, audience members at the Saturday March 17 performance will have the treat of hearing a song that will not be included in the CHS production.
An added attraction for the campers was a "backstage pass" which allows them to see what goes on behind the scenes at a theater production. The backstage tour was extremely interesting and memorable for the young theater hopefuls and Coop stated that campers were even briefed regarding several "secrets" that the audience will never know about.
Coop and her cast group leaders were very excited to offer this "first" kids camp learning opportunity for the 30 campers in attendance. Coop said,
"The campers were excited to be led by actual cast members of the high school production and the high school cast members learned and improved their leadership skills with the involvement with the campers," she said.
Tickets are available for each of the four "Little Mermaid" performances March 15-18. The curtain opens at 7 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and at 2 p.m. for a Sunday afternoon matinee. Tickets can be obtained at the Chester High School Office (618-826-2302) for $8 adults and $5 students.