Midsummer Day Camp-Thursday

            Trekking from Blackfriar’s Playhouse to Mary Baldwin’s Hunt West, the room we all have become so familiar this week, the kids were itching to begin the day.  With such a motivated and talented group it was no surprise how eager they were to dive into the first activity of the day, finishing up the run-through rehearsals.  In no time they have learned to further their acting abilities learning how best to project their voice using the “cookie” voice to deliver their lines, how to pronounce particular Shakespearean words and phrases, how to develop their characters for the audience’s enjoyment, and many other beneficial acting skills.

            Following lunch, the campers were ready to unleash their inner Warhol with a printmaking activity.   With their favorite camp memory or part of Macbeth in mind they were instructed to scratch a mirrored image onto a Styrofoam sheet.  These skillfully created sheets were then splattered with many colors of paint and stamped onto a beautiful banner.  This banner peppered with prints will welcome parents at the campers’ performance of Macbeth upon entering the lobby of the Blackfriar’s Playhouse.  Among my favorite prints on the banner include a goat-like creature breathing fire showing off the imaginative ability of one of the campers; however, another Macbeth related image was that of King Duncan protruding onto the print with a glistening crown on his head.  These kids sure do have creative abilities far beyond the stage. 

            Furthering their creative abilities from page to stage they resumed practicing for the fast approaching play.  Speaking of fast approaching, the young actors were asked to run through the play at “double speed, over the top.”  Not only were they incredible acting their parts without a script in hand at normal performance speed, but their super speed performance was all the more impressive.  Watching the children deliver their roles was like Shakespeare in fast forward, error proof in the performance.  These young actors sure can give our professional actors at the Blackfriar’s Theatre a run for their money!  Come one, come all and see the true magic these young actors can reveal for a live audience on Friday evening at their performance of Macbeth.  Prepare to be amazed at the sheer talent the campers have discovered and put together in one short week to show off at the grand finale showcasing their talent and newfound knowledge.  

-Molly Snyder, Research and Hospitality Intern