Summer fun, had me a blast.
Monday, June 29th, 2009 by tcg
My parents struggled with finding ways to occupy my summers. They found a theater arts summer camp that ran in two-week sessions. Perfect. No audition was required, so my lack of vocal talent was swept under the rug. I had a blast at Action Arts and attended fro four summers. All participants were responsible for their own costumes. Each child was cast in one song number, one dance number, one short scene, and the opening and closing numbers. That was a lot to a kid. Here are a fw of the pictures I found in my parent’s attic.
First up is a song and dance number for the teen bracket. We were singing “Age of Aquarius” and “Let the Sun Shine In.” We were tasked with looking vaguely like we came from the 60s. My mom and I did a quick tie-dye on an old fringed shirt and leggings. I wasn’t the best hippie, but it worked. I also sang softly enough that no one could hear me. My dancing however was just fine. I was one of two girls taught a serious of lifts for the dance. I did them, barely. My vertical jump has never been one of my strengths. That same summer we did a murder mystery spoof. I was the hysterical grieving sister-in-law of the corpse. I was kept laughing when I should weep. Not my finest moment onstage at Clark Theater.
Last up is my second year at Action Arts. We did a few songs from Oklahoma! Lucky for me, my mom made a calico dress earlier in the year for a report I gave at school (I was Annie Oakley). The dress was perfect for my prairie gal part in “Oklahoma!”. The teachers knew me well enough to cast me as a “What Next?!” girl. Minimal singing required.
My summers were a lot of fun. I had two weeks of signing, dancing, and acting with a big production night to cap off things. I’d recommend looking for similar summer camps for your children. The neat part was I was spending my summers with kids who became actors, singers, and dancers. That’s pretty cool.
Tags: action arts, costumes, summer camp
June 30th, 2009 at 8:17 am
Very cool! It certainly sounds like you had quite an interesting and enjoyable childhood.
July 2nd, 2009 at 6:03 pm
I really did. I couldn’t ask for a better one.
My first year at Action Arts they out me roller skates. I almost went off the edge of the stage during dress rehearsal. I made it through the show with minimal bruising.
July 3rd, 2009 at 9:06 am
While in High School I once nearly fell off the stage during a dress rehearsal, so I can definitely relate. I was so wrapped up in reviewing the blocking notes I had placed in my script that I went a little too close to the edge … fortunately, though, I caught myself on a piece of the scenery before I slipped into oblivion.
(It really wouldn’t have been that much of a fall, but ! certainly would’ve been embarrassed!)