On Saturday, April 15, a dozen actors gathered on the stage of the little theater and put on 45 minutes of entertainment, free to the public, as part of a new fundraiser and recruiting initiative by STC’s Thespian Troupe #1038.

Campers paid $40 and signed up for a week of theater education, taught by some of South Tama High School’s biggest stars. The camp was held over the course of five days, with campers putting together a 10-minute musical theater medley with hit songs from some of broadway’s most popular musicals along with a few more unknown selections, including “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” from Mary Poppins, “Seasons of Love” from Rent and “Into the Woods” from the show of the same name. The group of campers also put together a reader’s theater piece titled “Box.”

The idea for the camp was brought forward by senior Libby Albright. Albright, who has served in various statewide leadership roles, both as a State Thespian Officer and State Student Council Officer, talked about the importance of arts education in schools.

“It’s a personal growth opportunity as much as it is singing and dancing. We talked a lot through the week about the different emotions behind the various songs,” she said. “In my experience in the arts, creating something bigger than yourself and doing it with other people while being a part of art that is meaningful is some of the most important education we can give students.”

Noticing the lack of arts activities for middle schoolers outside of band and choir, she felt a camp would be a fun way to introduce this age range to more arts opportunities.

The dozen performers at the Wieting Theater Camp acted out a Reader's Theater titled “Box.” PHOTO BY JONATHAN MEYER

Administration at the middle school was fully onboard with the opportunity for fifth through eighth grade students. Late last year, Albright visited the Middle School Activities Director, Scott Bolen. Presented with the idea, he offered his full endorsement and was ready to see the camp organized and off the ground.

Though there are no current plans to advance the theater program to STC Middle School, the camp serves as a good first step, Albright mentioned.

When camp week arrived, the group of students and directors were tasked with putting together both aspects of the show in less than 24 hours of total rehearsal time. Ask any theater participant, that little of time is difficult to get anything off the ground.

Rehearsals ran all day Tuesday and after school hours from Wednesday through Friday with students being bussed from school to school. On Saturday, campers arrived at 10 a.m. for final preparations before the 7 p.m. show.

High school students worked the camp creating the show with the future thespians. Albright served as musical director, while Lily Wacha choreographed the medley. Itzel Herrera took charge in the Readers Theater, making various cuts and alterations to the lengthy script.

PHOTO BY JONATHAN MEYER

Dixie Forcht, director of Thespian troupe #1038, served in more of a behind the scenes role during the camp, letting the high school students lead and making sure logistics were handled.

With the return of a theater camp to the Wieting the summer, opportunities continue to flourish with arts education for students of all ages in the community.

Participants included Oliver Brown, Sydney Culbertson, Whitney Culbertson, Clarissa Dvorak, Willow Fonua, Makena Franksain, Kai Joseph, Ryan Klutman Camfield, Karina Lareza, Anna Nerness, Cohen Unkrich and Grace Wasey.

Camp directors and volunteers took their bows after the weeklong camp concluded. PHOTO BY JONATHAN MEYER