Video: Tupelo Community Theater Hosts Summer Camp

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TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) — Some young theater students get some lessons that reach well beyond the stage.

On the surface, art, music, drama and dance are the core subjects campers are exploring this week at the historic Lyric Theater.

But “Growing Pains,” the theme for this year’s camp, makes it clear the camp is designed to open far-wider doors to these young actors and actresses.

“We’ve talked about everything from what they want to be when hey grow up to problems that they have at school, to maybe some issues that they’ve had in their relationships with friends or parents, and we’ve really had a good time getting to know each other and exploring these issues and what we can do to overcome them through singing, and dancing and acting it out,” Camp Director Suzanne Oakley said.

And if sharing their personal experiences aren’t enough, the students also get a taste of skills that will carry them into in chosen field.

“We believe that it’s beneficial to children, even if they are not particularly interested in theater, in learning to get up and talk in front of a group of people and this provides them that opportunity, ” said Oakley .

The students may not fully understand the bigger picture. But they do know they are enjoying the experience.

“Well, we’ve been learning songs and dancing and we’ve been doing some really fun acting routines and it’s just really fun,” camper Lexie Bollingern said.

“Some people who didn’t do plays very often, if they want to start this is a good way to start because they can kind of dip their toes in the water,” camper Trevor Hart said.

A performance will be hosted Friday by the students, showcasing what they have learned through the week.

The performance will be held Friday at TCT. It is free of charge and members of the public are invited to attend.

For more information on things happening at the theater, visit their webiste at www.tct.ms.