Parents, friends and family will get to see whether it's Broadway or Bust for 32 hopeful young actors Thursday and Friday (Aug. 25 and 26). The first annual Broadway or Bust summer drama camp wraps up with a performance of Annie Jr. and if director and camp organizer Ryan Mooney is right, these kids have a bright future indeed.
"You never know who's going to go on to accomplish something great," said Mooney. "These kids are so good."
The camp was a three-week intensive program of dancing, singing and acting lessons, seven hours a day.
"When they say intensive, they mean intensive," said 18-year-old Vanessa Paternoster who plays Ms. Hannigan in the production.
Paternoster is one of dozens of kids who fell further in love with acting during the program, and most of the students also discovered a passion for other talents.
"I didn't like to dance," said 12-year-old Joey Wong who plays Daddy Warbucks. "Now it's my favourite part."
And not surprisingly, it's when Joey dances that he shines brightest. Joey has extensive experience acting with several Squamish Elementary school plays under his belt, but, he said, he's learned more in three weeks of camp than ever before.At 10-years-old, Jamie Sweeney has had no experience acting, but she nevertheless landed the lead role. Jamie said her favourite part of the play is singing and her co-actors agree that the diminutive girl probably got the role because of her talented voice - and she can project.
"She's loud," said Paternoster, quickly adding: "A good loud."
The actors are also becoming savvy with self-promotion. Three different branches of media have already interviewed them, and barely a passer-by gets away without a young student inviting them to the performance.
That's because the camp makes sure the actors also receive an education in professionalism and "decorum," said Mooney.
Mooney, musical director Melissa Bachart and producer Shayan Bayat have worked long days to put together a performance that gives "everyone a moment to shine," said Mooney. Following the performance of Annie Jr., the entire cast and staff will gather on stage for a grand finale.
Tickets are still available for the Friday (Aug. 26) 2 p.m. matinee and 7 p.m. evening performance at the Eagle Eye [email protected]
