Beyond “The Lion King Experience”:
How a summer theater camp is working towards more than just a production.
August 3, 2018 · Newport News, VA
Back in July, Downing-Gross Cultural Arts Center began its first ever Summer Theater Camp - giving children the opportunity to gain experience in the world of theater. For some, like 6 year old Christian Chever, this is their first production. There is much to be learned in the short 8-week program for this quiet young beginner. His first-time jitters are calmed with the help of some of the older and more experienced campers, including rising-9th grader Yazmine Holmes, who previously played Charlie Bucket in Downing-Gross’ February production of Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka. “If you get nervous, try not to think about the audience. It will be dark so it is hard to see them. Just focus on the show.”
During the camp, the kids have participated in a variety of workshops and classes including music and vocal training, choreographed stage combat, and set design. Some of the themed workshops, however, have extended beyond the standard “Lion King Experience” curriculum provided by Music Theater International (MTI). One of the most notable of these workshops is the “Anti-Bullying Sessions” with Shant’a Miller, founder of the Hampton-Roads based organization, Parents Against Bullying. She had them create a “Drop a Kind Word” wall of envelopes, in order for the young performers to leave a positive message – building one another’s confidence. While the on-stage production represents the finish line for the hard-working campers, the journey has been designed to enrich their lives off-stage as well.
The camp will culminate in a 60-minute adaptation that is a mix between the Disney film and the Broadway production. It will reference the story popularized by the 1994 animated film, while incorporating some of the songs in African dialects featured in the live production. The show will be held on August 9th at 10th at 6:00 PM in the Ella Fitzgerald Theater at Downing-Gross. For tickets, please visit downinggross.org.
When: August 9th and 10th at 6:00 PM
Where: Downing-Gross Cultural Arts Center; 2410 Wickham Avenue, Newport news.
Cost: Tickets are $5.
More info: downinggross.org or 757-247-8950