Plymouth Drama Camps Return to the Stage

As tough as it can be, overcoming stage fright is a vital step for people to take. Whether for a child performing in a grade-school musical or an adult giving a work presentation, the ability to stand up in front of an audience of any size and deliver a performance is an essential skill. A group of Plymouth kids will get the opportunity to learn those skills this summer at a special theatrical camp. The city of Plymouth is once again offering a pair of drama camps at the Plymouth Creek Center’s Black Box Theatre. Minneapolis musician, theatre director and performer Allison Raney hosts the one-week courses, which culminate in a musical performance for the students’ families. Both camps run August 12—17 and are open to ages 6—11. Raney says the camps aim to teach kids the skills and confidence needed to perform on a stage. “With kids, if you give them an opportunity to be creative and to be self-expressive, they will step up every time,” she says. Raney has been leading the camps for nearly a decade. The first camp, held during the morning session and titled Stories in Motion, works on stage presence, storytelling and presentation skills. “The fun thing about my curriculum is that the kids can use the skills they’re getting when they’re doing reports in school,” Raney says. “It’s all about how you present yourself in front of a large audience, whether you’re doing a character or not.” The afternoon session, Music and Movement for the Stage, teaches campers the basics of musical theatre. “They’re learning how to use a microphone, count and do dance steps,” Raney says. Both sessions also include some stage production work. “The kids are basically the stage crew, too, so they have to bring props on and take them off—the basic elements of what it takes to put on a production,” she says. “There’s no audition—everyone can come exactly where they are,” Raney says. “I give them an opportunity to tell me what they want to get out of the camp. I really try to get to know the kids, get to know their personalities. Every kid gets to do exactly what they’re comfortable with.” Travis Karlen, the arts and education recreation supervisor for the city of Plymouth, sees immediate benefits in the program. “I think it gives kids confidence. It’s always scary to get up in front of an audience and perform, so giving them a performance opportunity helps them,” he says. “We get a smaller group of kids for this program, but the kids who have taken it really enjoyed it. We see students who had taken it from the summer before come back and take it again.” At the end of the week, both sessions will come together and perform their play, Welcome to the Jungle, for an audience of parents and family members in the Black Box Theatre. “After every show, I have at least two, three, four parents come up to me saying ‘I cannot believe what my child just did, I’m amazed,’” Raney says. She says the camps fulfill the needs of students of every level of sociability—for some, all they want is a chance to get on stage, while others want a minute in the spotlight. “All the kids are getting what they need,” she says. ‘They can carry forward the idea and the confidence of being able to be in a group as exactly who they are, and knowing that that is valid and that that is a contribution,” Raney says. “I think that’s just overall good for these kids as they go into their classrooms, sports, or wherever—just knowing that who they are and where they’re at is just completely awesome.” Registration is open until August 9. Register by calling 763-509-5223. Each camp costs $150. Stories in Motion: students develop stage presence, self-esteem, reading comprehension and presentational skills. August 12—17: Monday—Thursday, 9 a.m.—noon; Friday, 9 a.m.—3:30 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m.—noon. Music and Movement for the Stage: students will focus on stage presence, vocal techniques using a microphone, creative movement, ballet technique, musical theater, jazz and contemporary dance. August 12—17: Monday—Thursday, 1—4 p.m.; Friday, 9 a.m.—3:30 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m.—noon.