When you think of summer camp, what comes to mind?
Cabins, a lake, maybe a bully or two.
But, in recent years, specialty camps have sprung up with nary a canoe race in sight.
Take, for instance, the Camp Hill Youth Summer Stage. Since 2004, the Grace Milliman Pollock Performing Arts Center has offered this unique program, which takes kids through the paces of learning acting techniques, dancing and singing—all while pulling off a full-length production in only four weeks.
“We want to involve as many kids as we can, and we want them to enjoy the process,” said Philip Palese, Pollock Center director, Camp Hill Youth Summer Stage. With Palese’s background in both electronics and teaching, he is natural both onstage and backstage.
Over the years, the Youth Summer Stage has grown from a 15-camper play to one that now serves close to 200 campers for three shows and workshops. Summer camps are open to kids ages 7 to 17.
The summer program matters to the kids who return year after year.
“Summer camp is a wonderful experience for kids who might have an interest in theater,” Palese said. “It’s a welcoming environment. We make everyone feel included, expanding casting so that everybody has a part and feels a part of the show.”
Confident & Strong
With only four weeks to produce a “Junior Broadway” show, summer camp can be intense.
The Camp Hill Youth Summer Stage shares many of the features of a day camp: Crazy Hat Day, Pajama Day, Fashion Shows, Christmas in July and even swimming twice per week. But the stage always comes first, complete with casting, teaching, rehearsing and performing.
“We intend to make a professional show to the best of our abilities,” said Palese. “We treat the kids as professionals. They respond as professionals.”
Actor Josh Miccio was in the first show in 2004, playing the monkey in “Jungle Book.”
“Summer camp made me fall in love with theater,” he said.
During Miccio’s junior year when Palese took ill, Miccio switched to directing. Now, he’s studying theater arts in New York and working at the camp over the summer.
“[Miccio] is bringing New York training with him,” said Palese. “Every year, he brings back different elements he teaches the kids.”
Children’s natural penchant to pretend lends well to theater and acting. As they get older, they often lose that. In middle school, theater becomes uncool or their interest falls toward other things. Palese sees this as not a sad thing, but a natural progression of kids finding themselves.
For the few who hang on to theater, “watching them grow is amazing,” Palese said. “When they first come here, their knees buckle under them when they audition. Years later, they’re confident and strong because they learned to risk it all. They gained something through acting.”
Almost all kids are nervous when auditioning. The teachers work to put them at ease.
“We make it safe for them, and we don’t force them to audition,” Palese said. “Many kids change their minds when they watch other kids audition. They realize not everyone has to be a superstar performer. We focus on having fun.”
Hooked on Theater
Camp Hill Youth Summer Stage isn’t only for kids who can already act. Everyone gets on stage to try acting, dancing and singing.
“Over the years, I’ve watched these kids develop their skills, their confidence,” Palese said. “They become less hesitant each year.”
Miccio added that it’s gratifying to watch shy kids come out of their shells through theater.
“I like to think the camp has a lot to do with it,” he said.
Palese credits his team for knowing how to communicate with the kids. He feels confident in having picked “the most amazing theater people he could find” to work with and learn from. Many of the instructors are alumni who have participated in the program in the past and now want to pass the camp experience on to the next generation.
The instructors’ love of theater naturally extends to the kids loving it, too.
“The kids who have the most enthusiasm, no matter which role they’re cast in, are the ones who have more fun, grow and develop,” said Palese.
The teachers encourage the kids to treat every part as if it’s the lead.
“Casting is the most difficult part of putting on a show, with multiple kids who could play any one part,” said Palese. “I tell the kids, ‘If you’re disappointed, take five minutes and feel disappointed. Then get back onstage and play your part as best as you can.’”
According to Miccio, it’s not always the kids who have natural talent who thrive. There are motivated kids who work hard and love performing.
“It’s not our goal to hold strict, formal theater training,” said Miccio. “Our goal is to get kids hooked on theater and provide them an outlet to express their talents. Maybe they will find talents they didn’t know they had.”
The result of their hard work? A quality musical, enthusiastic actors singing and dancing, and an audience that becomes transported long enough to forget that the actors are still in school—and that they’re sitting in a theater in summertime. Oh, and a lot of fun for everyone involved.
To learn more about the programs and shows at Grace Milliman Pollock Performing Arts Center, visit www.gmppac.org.
Author: Gina Napoli
