Arla Ralston
Contributing Writer
The Pocahontas Opera House will offer a week-long summer theater camp for students ages six to 14 at Stillwell Park the week of August 2 to August 7, 2021.
“This year the emphasis is on fun,” camp director Charlie Maghee Hughes said. “Our Saturday performance will be a series of silly poems and skits based on the works of well-known children’s writers such as Dr. Seuss, Roald Dahl and Shel Silverstien.
“We’re calling the show Nonsense and Nonesuch.”
The students will showcase their week’s work at the new Discovery Junction stage in Marlinton in a live outdoor performance Saturday August 7, at 2 p.m.
“There will be a lot of other great activities going on, too,” Hughes said. “Students will get the chance to try their hand at building sets, making props and playing theater games. There will be classes in music, puppetry and movement.”
The camp has made some changes in response to COVID-19. The day has been shortened to run from 12:30 to 5:00 p.m., and the activities moved outdoors under the Pavilion at Stillwell Park. The students will be grouped according to age to avoid having 40 kids in close quarters for rehearsals and performance. As a result, masks will not be required.
“Having the camp outdoors has some real advantages,” Hughes said. “The kids will be able to spread out and we hope to offer some nature walks and outdoor play.”
The cost for the camp is $20 per student and includes all materials, activities and a snack each day. Applications are available at the Community Wellness Center and by calling the Opera House at 304-799-6645.
Scholarships are available.
