Theater camp held at Clary Gardens
Clary Gardens hosted Clary Theater Camp July 22-26 with two sessions each day for children. They learned how to put on a show both backstage and on stage, with some technical ingredients included like sound and animation.
Mary McMullen, director of the theater camp said they are learning a little bit of everything about theater. At the end of the week they put on a small production.
“We were able to create a stage and backstage space and the dressing room area is the house,” McMullen said. “They get the feeling of stage and backstage and this year we are incorporating more technical aspects. We have a camper who is interested in light and sound, so he is going to create projection and a soundscape and a little bit of animation that will go with our story.”
Their story revolves around moths and the moon which is part of the theme for Clary Gardens this year.
“They have a part in developing the character,” McMullen said. “they think about who their characters are and think about costume design. They are making cloth wings as part of their costume, learning how to paint on fabric with the design, color it, and use that design to make their wings, because that’s what they do in theater. My goal is to give them a foundation in theater. They understand and respect all aspects and that will make them a richer performer or theater practitioner in the future giving them confidence, knowledge and life skills.”
McMullen said, “We talked about their characters and developing their character, who they are and what they are doing, why they are there and how they work into the story. They are all playing moths, so all of the moths have a different purpose, we act out who they are, why they are featured and how we act them out on stage. Tomorrow they will have their script and learn their lines. If they don’t want to talk that’s ok. If they don’t want to be on stage, there are back stage opportunities and they learn another set of skills as well. There is a place for everyone in theater and that’s our goal.”
Category: Arts & Entertainment
