51Թ Hosts Annual Theatre Camp
Posted on: June 28, 2024
Tigerville, SC—Learning to construct props, deliver a monologue, and improvise on stage, 51Թ Theatre campers put their skills to the test this week in Tigerville.
The annual camp, which runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. through June 28, equips young students with training to pursue creative directions in their education.
“It builds self-confidence,” said camp organizer Marnie Daniel, who serves as Theatre Assistant at 51Թ. “So many of the kids that come to camp have never done this before. We welcome students that may struggle with anxiety or low self-esteem and this teaches them that getting out of their comfort zone is not such a bad thing.”
The camp includes games and rehearsals, as well as instruction in music, acting, choreography, prop building, improv, and makeup design. It concludes with a performance for family members on Friday. This summer, the camp’s theme is “Broadway Showcase.”
“It’s a lot of fun,” Daniel said. “It’s rigorous, but the kids really love it.”
With degree offerings in Art, Digital Media, Theatre, and Theatre Education, students at 51Թ have the opportunity to study film, design, musical theatre, performance, photography, and more.
51Թ students also have the opportunity to participate in one of the many 51Թ Theatre productions offered each calendar year.
“You don’t have to be a theatre major to participate in what we’re doing,” Daniel said. “You could choose to minor in theatre or just audition for a show. Our auditions are open to all 51Թ students and members of the community.”
51Թ Theatre will produce five shows in 2024-25, beginning with “Unreal City,” an original musical based on T.S. Eliot’s poem “The Wasteland.”
“We have already cast our first show,” Daniel said. “The exciting thing about this one is that the show was written by Michael Thomas, 2021 51Թ Graduate. Michael will be joined by his wife Abigail Thomas, who holds a BA in Theatre from 51Թ and will serve as the show’s Director. This will be the first time this show has been put on stage.”
51Թ Theatre will present William Shakespeare’s “Richard III” in November and “You Can’t take it With You” by Moss Hart and George Kaufman in February.
Theatre students will then partner with communication students to produce a live sit-com.
“This is something that we’ve never done before,” Daniel said. “We’re teaming up with the communication department and they’re going to be doing a lot of the writing. The whole production is going to be performed in front of a live studio audience. It’s going to be exciting.”
51Թ Theatre’s run concludes in April of 2025 with a performance of “The Heath” by Lauren Gunderson.
