As summer hits its midpoint, kids will have the unique opportunity to be on both sides of the stage lights in Haines. That’s the mission of the annual Summer Youth Conservatory program at the Chilkat Center for the Arts. KHNS’ Brandon Wilks reports
Billed as “Three weeks of intensive training in Theater Arts” the Summer Youth Conservatory, introduces students aged 8-18, to professional theater etiquette and vocabulary. They’ll learn the basic principles of acting, and instructions in the technical aspects of theater such as light, sound, and stage management. The program is presented by the Lynn Canal Community Players(LCCP). Play director Annette Hillman, says that this year kids will get the full experience of turning a classic fairy tale on its head.
Hillman: “Well, it’s the story of the Big Bad Wolf, is finally being brought to trial, after all his misdeeds, and of course, he’s misunderstood. So we have, you know, all the characters who have grudges against the Big Bad Wolf. And there’s just a lot of characters we can put in that jury box and it’s not too late to get kids into it, they’ll have a great time they’re going to learn how to do harmonies and dancing real, you know, simple but following choreography and stage craft. I want them to help with the costumes with the props, and with the sets.”
Hillman has degrees in performance from Cal State and Purdue University and has worked with children in theaters across the country. She stresses the importance of having participants involved in every stage of production.
Hillman: “I think it’s important that they learn how to that, you know, there may be a job, or a skill that they just love that they don’t even know they have. And, you know, for me, it was always about Prop making. For me, when I was a kid, I just loved making props, because you can look at anything and say, okay, like, last year, we needed the barbell. And so I had, you know, paper mache two balloons, and then paint them and put a stick in, and that was our bar[bell].”
Program Coordinator Roger Gentry, was instrumental in bringing Hillman to Haines.
Gentry: “We had worked together previously in Tucson as actor [and] director, and did some shows down there. And after I moved here, when it was first brought to my attention that they would like me to participate in the Youth Theater Conservatory. She was one of the first people I thought of because I knew that she had had a lot of experience working with children and the kids love her.”
Gentry says he believes kids will benefit greatly from being on the other side of the proverbial screen.
Gentry: “I think one of the one of the nice things about about kids being able to participate in a camp like this is that they get an idea of what happens backstage and what happens to make the play work. I mean, many kids have seen theater, they’ve seen movies, they watch television, so they see the final product. But here, you get to go a little deeper and see all the elements that bring all of that to fruition to make that that completion of the project. And I think that’s that’s of great importance. And you also begin to understand the work that goes into it, it looks like fun, and it is fun, and it’s very rewarding. When you’re where you see your work as a creative process”
For Hillman and Gentry, offering this program has it’s rewards and good natured frustrations.
Hillman: “The most rewarding part for sure, is watching them succeed and how, frankly, how quickly they can pick up on things. And when they finally feel comfortable and less judged by everybody. There’s a freedom there. That’s really pretty wonderful. And they their excitement is just really palpable. And I’d say the most frustrating part is probably when they’re not working right away is keeping them in the chair or…”
Gentry: “A friend today suggested I get a border collie.”
Hillman: “Yeah, so it’s a little like herding cats sometimes.”
Gentry emphasized the opportunity for Haines kids to learn about the theater.
Gentry: “Of course, we want to make sure that theater remains a vibrant art. And one of the things that is unique about a community this small is the fact that we have the Chilkat Center, which is a beautiful theater, the likes of which you rarely see open to small performance groups. I mean, you just don’t see that in many cities.”
Hillman says the heart of the program is the youth of Haines.
Hillman: “There is a really unique quality to the kids here. I don’t I couldn’t even tell you what it was. You can’t bottle it. But there’s something so incredibly special about the kids here how they’re being raised the small community and coming from a large city it it’s really charming and lovely and they’re really just really willing and open and I think we built a good community.”
The Summer Youth Conservatory runs from June 30th to July 23rd, with show dates of July 21st and 22nd. Applicants will be accepted through the next week. Tuition is $325.00 for the program but scholarships are available for lower income families. Registration forms can be found at the Bookstore, the Haines school office, and at chilkatcenter.org. For more information contact Roger Gentry at (520) 331-8652.
