College hosts theater camp
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PABLO — On Thursday evening a group of inspiring actors and actresses showcased their new skills in front of family and friends at Salish Kootenai College. The Flathead Youth and Children Summer Theater Intensive, put on by Jessie Sherman of Bozeman, worked on building confidence and community within the safe environment of the “Golden Galaxy” world that they created during the two-week intensive.
“We wanted the kids to get a chance to learn about theater,” Sherman said. The camp focused on immersion theater, a type that takes acting off the stage and into the audience as audience members participate alongside the actors. It also delved into improvisation, developing characters, story writing, and costume design.
“This is the pilot program,” Sherman said. “Hopefully we will continue it into the future.”
The camp was open to kids 7 to 18 but this year the oldest participant was only 13 years old.
Sherman, who has never started or run a camp, said it was a really good time but there were a few bumps along the way.
Zoe Jackson, who came over from London to help with the camp, agreed.
“It’s been hard but really enjoyable,” Jackson said.
During the showcase night, participants came into the lobby of the fitness center dressed up in different homemade costumes. They then helped parents and friends fill out tickets to different destinations that were located inside the Camas room. Destinations ranged from the Cheese Moon to the Zootopian Stadium to the Lollipop Forest.
After everyone had their tickets, they launched the space shuttle and opened the doors into the Camas room, which was decorated in an intergalactic fashion. The children enjoyed the experience of getting to do something they normally wouldn’t.
“If someone is mad and upset they can help them be happy,” youth participant Rosie Black said of the theater camp.
Sherman and the other helpers advertised for the intensive by handing out fliers at schools and calling parents of potential participants. They received more students than they originally expected. After finishing up the pilot, Sherman hopes that next year the camp will last longer to fit in more theater learning.
