The Summer Arts Camp, featuring Missoula Children's Theatre, is a week-long, multi-disciplinary arts camp for children who are rising first graders through rising 10th graders. The Summer Arts Camp usually takes place during the third or fourth week in June. Classes in the visual arts, music, storytelling, movement, and more are led by local artists. Children also receive an introduction to the world of theatre by rehearsing, and starring in, a theatrical production led by Missoula Children’s Theatre.

Post 2007 Summer Camp Update:

Local Stars Shine in The Little Mermaid!

It’s hard to believe, but this year’s Summer Arts Camp, featuring Missoula Children’s Theatre, has already come and gone.  And it was another great success!

During the week of June 18—23, over 60 children participated in a variety of arts classes, not to mention rehearsals for an outstanding production of The Little Mermaid, and it all took place at Watauga High School.

Jared Weitbrock and Jenn Diethart of Missoula Children’s Theatre arrived in Boone at the beginning of the week with the set, costumes, props, and make-up.  During five days of intensive rehearsal, children learned their lines, staging, songs, and dances.  

The production was designed with suitable parts for various age and skill levels.  Two older students were cast as assistant directors and focused on technically oriented tasks such as mounting the set, working lights and sound, and assisting with teaching the show to the cast. 

Cast of Characters

Celia – Melody Harmon 
Delia – Dawn Woodard 
Amelia – Alexandra Seamone
Ophelia – Seleste Penley
Gil – James Ellington
Prince – Michael Knight
King – Logan Shaut
Queen – Kelsey Ziegler
Scouts – Camille Bergin, Ruby Boisclair, Andy Bradshaw, Becky Bradshaw, Sidney Ginn, Olivia Handley, Cami Hastings, Priscilla Hoke, Amelia Humiston, Kelsi Kanoy, Sierra Sweeney & Rebekah Washburn
Seasiders – Grace Bowling, Emma Carder, Karen Ehrhardt, Jason Ellington, Kaitlyn Farthing, Anna Katherine Freund, Kelly Griffin, Carrie Harmon, Elle Jackson, Matthew Johnson, Gracie Justice, Anna Konrady, Harrison Lorenzen, Chloe Shaut, Bailey Shuford, Riley Whitworth & Olivia Williamson
Town Criers – Isabella Cutillo, Jake Ellington, James Furman, Maggie Hooks, Olivia Michael,& Sylvia Wood
Seahorses – Emma Aldridge, Elise Battles, McKayla Bell, Claire Bowling, Alivya Bryan, Nelson Burns, Amelia Darnell, Alyssa Ehrhardt, John Furman, Bentley Higby, Jacob Hoke, Katie Mac Knight, Alexandra Krusiewig, Sarah Pisaris, Makenzie Thompson, Lydia Woods,& Jaynae Wright

Assistant Directors – Julia Durig & Kauner  Michael
Accompanist – Bair Shagderon
Mr. Merman and Starfish – Jared Weitbrock

Arts Classes with Local Artists

Though the production of The Little Mermaid was a definite highlight of the camp, children did many other arts-related activities throughout the week, too. 

When not in rehearsals, children rotated among different arts classes, which were taught by local and regional artists. 
With visual arts instructor Dacia Trethewey, who teaches art in the Watauga County schools, students got to tie-dye their own tee-shirts, design dramatic masks portraying a range of emotions that might be acted out on stage, and created autograph books for their new friends in the camp  to sign at the end of the week.

Musician John Fowler of Boiling Springs, South Carolina, taught students traditional ballads and the basics of how to play the Appalachian (lap-style) dulcimer, old-timey spoons, and guitar.   Music teacher Pat Lanno, of Blowing Rock, led children in a variety of songs and dances (such as the electric slide!) as well.

Actor Tom Lanno, also of Blowing Rock, played theatre games with the children, which taught them acting skills such as character motivation, reacting to other actors on stage, and improvisation—with a heavy emphasis on using one’s creativity and imagination to bring a play to life for an audience.

Students got to hear traditional Appalachian tales, and some new ones, too, with storyteller Dianne Hackworth, formerly of Boone, but who now resides in eastern Tennessee.  Besides sharing Jack Tales, fairy tales, and much more, Dianne helped coordinate the arts instructors for camp as well—she is a multi-talented lady!

And of course, we couldn’t have done all this without the help of our wonderful volunteer camp assistants: Carlee Hudson, Alexandra Bauer, Danielle Root, and Maureen Klinedinst.  These young women worked with the children every day during their classes and were invaluable to the success of the program!

Many Thanks to Our Sponsors…
This year’s Summer Arts Camp was sponsored by:

Wendy’s
Molecular Toxicology, Inc.
Boone Drugs, Inc.
Dr. R. Bruce Jackson
Grassroots Funds of the North Carolina Arts Council
Additional funding was provided by the following businesses in the way of in-kind donations:
Charter Media
Domino’s Pizza
Harris Teeter
Lowe’s Foods
Bouquet Florist
Log House Florist
Ingle’s

Special thanks to our wonderful volunteers…

Alexandra Bauer, Ellen Jent, Mary Konrady & Amy Justice who helped backstage during the performances.
Judy Seamone, Amy Michael, Jo Harris, and Brian & Traci Bergin who helped with flowers.
Jane Freund, Beth Carrin, Brian & Traci Bergin & Louise Harris who ushered at the performances.
Shelby & Ernie Lane, with help from Mike Wise, who sold tickets at the performances..

Photos from the 2007 Summer Arts Camp.