Youth aged eight to 18 will have an opportunity to develop theatrical skills and delve into talents they never knew they had this summer by attending Broadway or Bust theatrical summer camp.
The brainchild of Howe Sound Secondary alumni Ryan Mooney, the camp will give the young hopefuls skills in drama, dance and voice. It was Mooney's own experience growing up in Squamish as an ambitious performer that led him back to his hometown to provide this opportunity to local youth.
"I remember, when I lived in Squamish, there was not a lot in the way of performing arts training," said Mooney. "Now that I have a fair amount more knowledge and teaching experience I thought: what better way to share it than with a community that has given me so much?"
From Aug. 8 to 26, students will spend all day- 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. - learning audition techniques, technical and career skills as well as dancing, singing and acting.
Mooney, a graduate of Canadian College of Performing Arts, recently directed a two-act dramatic piece at Howe Sound Secondary School entitled David and Lisa and directed and choreographed the hit production Little Shop of Horrors for MKH Productions in Squamish. Mooney has also directed and choreographed productions appearing at the University of British Columbia, the Vancouver East Cultural Centre, the Vancouver Fringe Festival and New Westminister's Vagabond Players. He teaches drama and musical theatre at Richmond's Arts Connection performing arts school for youth.
Besides "Broadway or Bust," Mooney will also be the artistic director for productions of Grease and the Metro Theatre Christmas pantomime Mother Goose in Vancouver this year.
Mooney has attended several performance arts summer camps and says he's taken the best of all the camps to provide training for the youth.
"I hope that the participants will have a fun and educational experience," he said. "The mandate of our group is to promote self-worth in our participants."
The camp will finish off with three performances of the musical Annie that will take place at the Eagle Eye Theatre Thursday, Aug. 25 at 7 p.m. and Friday Aug. 26 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
"The idea of putting on a full scale musical in three weeks is daunting, but through positive encouragement we hope to instill a feeling of determination in our participants," said Mooney.
Registration applications are available at Billie's Bouquet and, according to Mooney, the mere 45 spots available are filling up fast. The camp will run Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Aug. 8 to 26. The cost is $350 or $325 if registered before June 1.
For more information contact Mooney at [email protected].
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