Summer is quickly approaching and many students are looking for ways to keep themselves busy and connected with their peers.
Ms. Bennett, a choir director at both GRC and RDC has come up with a way to accomplish both of these goals.
Last year, Bennett organized a summer intensive theater camp with the help of other teachers, friends, and students.
The program is a two-week day camp and is open to any incoming 7th to 12th grade students.
“It’s a really fun transitional camp because you have both middle and high school,” Ms. Bennett said. “I love getting to work with the high schoolers that I have passed onto the next program and see how much they have grown.”
Sophomore Addison Moore says the camp is the highlight of her summer.
“I get to go back to my middle school and do a show with my favorite teachers,” Moore said. “This allows me to be able to put on another show with them.”
This year’s show is Shrek The Musical, a show that allows everyone to get a chance in the spotlight.
“Shrek fits this group of students very well,” Bennett said. “There are like 25 fairy tale characters and they all get to say or do something. It provides middle schoolers opportunities and high schoolers opportunities.”
The first week of the Summer Intensive is spent practicing for a showcase and the second is spent working on the actual musical.
This is a lot to accomplish in such a short time, but the students and directors are ready for the challenge.
Ms. Miller, a teacher at RDC, says the time crunch and stress is worth it all.
“I feel like the most difficult part is that it’s just over so quickly,” she said. “When it’s over, I always wish we had one more week. Not to make anything better, but just to be together.”
Victoria Hernandez, a freshman, says it’s a great learning experience.
“It’s definitely a unique experience, and if you like theater, I think it’ll boost your confidence and your performance overall,” she said.
Sophomore Carter Johnston says it pushes you to refine your skills and make new friends.
“It’s a great opportunity to hone your skills and be a part of something,” he said. “It pushes you to be the best actor you can be because you have to put it together in such a short time.”
The Summer Intensive is also filled with many activities.
Ms. Byers, former art teacher at RDC, says she enjoys the summer camp feeling and hopes they can implement it again this year.
“We did tie-dye and like group building type activities, so I hope we can keep that summer camp vibe,” Byers said.
Many enjoy the Summer Intensive because it allows students to work on a show without the added stress of schoolwork.
“I think it gets them out, off their phones, and able to enjoy things they like to do without having the constant pressure of school work within as well,” Byers said. “It’s mostly just a mental skyrocket for them.”
Auditions for the Summer Intensive will be from 3:30-6:30 in the RDC Auditorium on May 13th.
The cost to participate in this two-week camp is $150 per student. The link to sign up: https://forms.gle/zohWYbD6eXDbhwko7
“Everybody gets an opportunity and the kids get to work with one another,” Bennett said. “You either get to mentor younger students in theater or get to see these high schoolers that are just out of this world talented and see what they can grow into in the programs they get to work with in the future.”
