BENNINGTON — The summer youth theater camps at Monument Arts and Cultural Center are underway in Bennington.
Three intensive camp experiences — the Monument Music Summer Camp and the Musical Theatre Workshop — will each culminate in performances for the public.
Monument Music Summer Camp was held during the week of June 24 to 28 and was open to students ages 9 to 18.
Southern Vermont Sinfonia director Patrick O’Connell, Mount Anthony Union Middle School band director Rebecca Mills, and CIAO! conductor James Bergin worked with students on band and orchestra work while vocal work was directed by Mount Anthony Union High School choral and musical director, Lynn Sweet.
“Campers worked through band, choral, orchestral and musical numbers throughout the week in a focused rehearsal setting,” said Kristine Lewis, director of Monument Arts and Cultural Center. “To conclude the week, they presented a performance of their work, open to the community to enjoy.”
The Monument Music Summer Camp included local youth from the Bennington and surrounding areas, as well as Williamstown and Lanesborough in Massachusetts and Cambridge, Hoosick Falls and Petersburg in New York.
“I’m with the band,” said Mills, laughing. “And, we had kids here from fourth grade through high school, all different ages, all different towns, never played together before …”
Rose Hilfinger, a seventh-grader from Petersburg, N.Y., who attended the Monument Music Summer Camp found the experience exciting. “My favorite part of the day was Musical Theater Workshop. I love, love, love to sing!”
Mount Anthony Union Middle School seventh-grader Phoenix Madison agreed, “I love meeting a lot of people who also love music and performing.”
Cameron Casalinova, a ninth-grader at Mount Anthony Union High School, did not come to sing or perform. He came to sharpen his drumming skills.
Rose, Phoenix and Cameron’s camp mate, Mount Greylock senior Killian Scanlon, appreciated the diverse mix of musical numbers and orchestral training that the camp offered. “I like the variety of music that we got to play and perform.”
Although the Monument Music Summer Camp is over, a new workshop begins July 8. Directed by Lynn Sweet and Jennifer Jessen, the Musical Theatre Workshop is scheduled to run for the week of July 8 to 12 and will cover song and scene study, vocal technique, audition prep, choreography, set and costume design, and more.
A special guest is scheduled to join the group at the start of the workshop.
“Jelani Remy who played Goldie Wilson and Marvin Berry in the Broadway musical performance of ‘Back to the Future’ will be joining us,” said Lewis, adding that the students are excited to get started on the next project. “Our showcase will be held on July 12 at 7 p.m. — tickets at the door.”
Light refreshments will be available for purchase at the upcoming July 12 showcase, as well.
The Aladdin Jr. Musical Theatre Performance Workshop, directed by Lauren Biasi and Kristine Lewis, will be held July 17 to Aug. 3 and will include classes in dance, music and acting.
“Fully produced productions of the Aladdin Jr. performance will take place on Aug. 2 at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. and on Aug. 3 at 2 p.m.,” said Lewis. “And, it’s exciting to be able to follow through on our mission — entertainment, arts, education and community.”
Lewis also noted that the Monument Arts and Cultural Center’s vision is to expand the summer offerings for next year and the years that follow.
“We’re trying to promote the whole series of what we’re doing here — with all three music camps — so that next year we could possibly have double the amount,” said Lewis.
Mills is also hoping that the summer programming at Monument Arts and Cultural Center will continue to grow and expand.
“Ideally, what I’d love to have is so many band kids that we could split up into two groups,” said Mills, explaining that the ideal way to make the experience of real value to the attending youth would be to tailor the musical selection by ability level of the participants, and having two groups would allow that.
Tickets for the Aug. 2 and 3 performance of “Aladdin Jr.” will be available at the door and online at monumentcentervt.org/aladdintickets.
The Monument Arts and Cultural Center is at 44 Gypsy Lane in Bennington.
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