24 Mar Summer Theatre Youth Camp at Huntington University

his summer, the Huntington University Department of Theatre Arts will host its fourth Huntington University Summer Theatre Youth Camp. From June 29-July 25, campers entering grades kindergarten through 12 in the fall will learn basic theatrical training from theatre professionals and perform a fully produced musical theatre production. This summer’s performance will be “Fiddler on the Roof Jr.,” and every camper will have a part.

The camp will run Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Huntington University Merillat Centre for the Arts with performances on July 25.

Cost is $175 per camper with a late registration fee of $25 after May 1. Space is limited to 50 campers. Brochures and registration forms were distributed to area elementary and middle schools and are available at the Merillat Centre for the Arts Box Office.

The camp continues to grow. In 2006, the first camp of 16 children performed “Music Man Jr.” In 2007, the camp’s enrollment for “Annie Jr.” more than doubled from the previous year. In 2008, 47 campers showcased their talents in “Guys and Dolls Jr.”

David and Kristi Shamburger, former Huntington University theatre faculty, serve as co-camp directors. The Shamburgers created and directed summer youth musical theatre camps in Georgia and have experience with the Nevada School of the Arts youth theatre programming.

David believes the camp has advantages for university as well as the community – helping promote the university’s Department of Theatre Arts, assisting Huntington theatre students by providing camp positions, and most importantly, impacting the local community for Christ. “Huntington is a Christ-centered university, and everything done there is through Him,” he said.

David most enjoys the enthusiasm and passion of the young actors. “To them it is magic,” he said. “I always try to get my actors to return to a sense of play. The children still have that, and it’s nice to work with.”