“APPLAUSE/ APPLAUSE/ APPLAUSE”

BY LIZ DEAN

As was once conceived in 2008 as a ‘one-time-only event’, the Canadian Lakes Players are now embarking on the “15th Annual Canadian Lakes Player’s Youth Theatre Camp”

(Due to the pandemic in 2020, the Camp was suspended)

Once again, the Castle in Canadian Lakes will be filled with sounds of young laughter and applause. The Canadian Lakes Players will begin its annual Youth Theatre Camp on Wednesday, June 28th that runs through Saturday, July 1st from 8:00am – Noon each day. The camp provides the “ins and outs” of getting a production together and performing it on stage, along with learning not only the ‘on-stage’ but also the ‘behind-thescenes’ ropes. It is open to children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, relatives, and guests (ages 8-16) of all CLPOC property owners in good standing.

From the first day of Theatre Camp, the young Campers are in a whirlwind of activities. For many of them, this is their first opportunity to get to experience the ins and outs of the “Theatre”! Early on the first day, finds them checking in at the registration desk and being assigned to their groups. Then they meet their director and the other Campers for a brief “Welcome Orientation.”

NOW the fun begins! Drama, Comedy and Musical auditions begin. Finding the ‘right’ Camper for the ‘right’ part is vital to the success of the production that will be presented on Saturday. Musical and Dramatic/Comedic parts are assigned, and scripts are handed out (to be studied by the Campers at home).

On the second day, group photos are taken on stage and the total group rehearses the opening and closing numbers of the production. The three different groups then take turns rehearsing THEIR scene on stage (while the other two groups rehearse elsewhere inside or outside of the Castle). Each group gets their time on stage. Everything is run like a ‘well-oiled machine’ – which only guarantees a great outcome.

The third day is much like the second, with the addition of trying on costumes and making sure each camper with a microphone is comfortable with its use. Today is a day of “Rehearsal/Rehearsal/ Rehearsal” and is meant to ‘fine tune’ everyone’s part.

The previous three days all lead to the day they all worked so hard for. Today is when it is “CURTAIN UP – LIGHT THE LIGHTS” for all their friends, neighbors, and relatives to get a look at our young future thespians!

But as with any other successful endeavor, none of this could all come together without the involvement of our many, many Canadian Lakes Volunteers. Not only the Canadian Lakes Players, but when the call goes out, so many nonplayers volunteer to give their time and energy to help! Once again, proving what a GREAT community, we have here.

P.S. So if you find yourself on the 1st of July with a free hour between 11:00am and noon, why not drop over to the Castle and see what these young folks have accomplished.