Theatre Camp sold out for entire summer

Participants in a recent Theatre Tillsonburg Summer Camp practice their production on the stage. Every age group presents a play at the end of the week. (Jeff Helsdon Photo)

Jeff Helsdon, Editor

As the Theatre Tillsonburg summer camp wrapped up last week, it marked the end to the first entirely sold-out session since Covid.

Camp director Charlotte Van Roestel said the camp was sold out every week, with 36 participants.

“We were pretty excited about that,” she said. “It has happened, but not since Covid.”

One of many summer camp options in town, the Theatre Tillsonburg camp differs in that it’s all theatre-based. There are daily games and activities, but all have a theatre aspect.

“Everything we do points towards the theatre,” Van Roestel said.

The goal of each weekly camp is to present a play to parents on the Friday. Monday and Tuesday participants start by practicing lines, rehearsing dances, and preparing for the play. Wednesday and Thursday saw lights added, and sound effects are added on Thursday.

“That’s the part that is cool, seeing when the lights are turned on the first time,” Van Roestel said.

Each week sees a different play, and each age group has different plays. Theatre camp program coordinator Rendall Lackenbauer writes all the plays, with camp assistant director Aliyah Helsdon revising them. She also does all the sound effects and runs the writer camp for 12 to 14-year-olds. The latter group writes their own play with assistance from Lackenbauer and Helsdon. These plays are also presented with sound and lights on the stage at the end of the week.

They also learn about blocking, which is theatre language for where the players stand on the stage and how they move.

“It’s neat when they get the concept of having to face the audience,” Van Roestel said.

The regular camp is open to youth ages four to 12.

Van Roestel and camp organizers hope the writer’s camp will have the next leaders for the camp. Current leaders Anneliese McCarter and Briony Goble are in this category.

Although the camp is held at Theatre Tillsonburg, it is completely self-sustaining, with camp fees paying all the costs.