How Does Music Theatre Boot camp Work?

The holidays are over and for most people the first part of January is the time to sit back with a huge sigh of relief. Not so for Lee Colee' Studios and The Wimberley Players. The work is just getting started in planning for the 6^th annual music theatre camp for kids which opens June 5^th through June 25^th. This year's production, one of the last shows performed at the Greenhouse Theatre in Wimberley before moving to the Players' new theatre on Old Kyle Road will be the Rogers and Hammerstein classic, Oklahoma.

The average theatre patron has no idea what is involved in pre-production of a major musical that also includes a boot camp for youngsters 8-16 years old. Staff must be hired, costumes and sets prepared, choreography created, scripts and music assembled and finally, auditions are scheduled.

Each camp is unique in its technical and administrative requirements. For the musical Annie, an antique wheelchair for President Roosevelt's character had to be located. A Nazi flag had to be found for The Sound of Music, and for Grease, a hot rod car had to be built out of Styrofoam!

But the most important aspect of a successful camp is the careful attention directed to the casting process. Making sure each child is cast in the perfect role is not a decision to be made quickly. That is why 'Miss Lee', schedules private appointments for the auditions and insists that each child must be able to tell a short story as well as sing a memorized song. She wants to know how motivated the child is to earn a spot in the camp. She looks at the ability to focus, take direction, energy levels, unique personality traits and finally, any natural performing talents as a singer, actor, dancer, athlete or instrumentalist. "I'm not looking for stars," she says. "Although I do find them. But I look for a passion to learn, a willingness to try new things and a sense of fun. Beginners are often cast over experienced performers if they are the right physical type and are able to absorb new skills rapidly."

"Stars," have definitely been made of several camp performers. Calen Cabler (15) has participated in every camp production since Annie. She began with a small part, moving into leading roles in Guys and Dolls, Grease, Fiddler on the Roof, and last year she played Maria, in The Sound of Music. She is now in great demand as an actress/singer in numerous productions with the Wimberley Players and her high school, besides pursuing modeling and film work. Other successful alumni going on to careers in the arts include Justin Finch (17) who played the male lead in Fiddler on the Roof and The Sound of Music, Coy Branscum (14), Allie Eissler (16) and Laurel Hostak (16).

Once the show is cast 'Miss Lee' contacts all those who auditioned to inform them of acceptance or to give a reason they weren't selected. Those accepted are expected to learn the entire show before the first day of camp by listening to the music and memorizing the script. Next, 'Miss Lee' coordinates her staff of employees and volunteers, outlining job descriptions and rehearsal schedules. She then contacts the parents and makes sure they are updated on all camp details, answers questions and arranges for a place to stay for out of town performers. She also works with camp sponsors regarding their publicity and tickets to a special sponsors' performance. Working with The Wimberley Players she puts the program together for printing and designs the camp t-shirts.

On the first day of camp, 35 kids are in the theatre finding out what part they have been assigned and looking to 'Miss Lee' to start the show. And she does! This is the fun and

creative part for her. Feeding on the kids' energy and excitement she deliberately makes the first three days of camp the most mentally and physically demanding, believing it strengthens the team sport bonding that is so crucial to a happy and productive cast.

By the second day, new friendships have blossomed, old ones are renewed and exhaustion feels normal but satisfying. 'Miss Lee' states, "working with kids is a blast because they want to please you, they are there because they want to be and unlike adults, they aren't stressed by competing priorities."

But the kids are expected to put in an adult work day. They are treated as adult professionals with the expectations that implies. They must be ready to perform a full length musical production after just 11 days of work. And they succeed, often stunningly, leaving the Wimberley community totally amazed at their capabilities.

To their director, it is no surprise because "if they are given a very specific vision, encouraged by the presumption they have the ability to meet the expected standards set and then cheered on when they go for it, well, they take the ball and run with it every time."

Opening night is always an excited madhouse. The kids are like prize race horses at the gate, snorting and stamping to get started. By the third performance they come into the theatre for their backstage call like old war horses who "know the ropes." At the end of the last show there are tears as friends say goodbye till next time, exclamations of "Can't we do the show one more time?" as the cast packs up and departs.

And Miss Lee finally collapses into an empty seat in the now empty theatre thankful she remembered to take her vitamins. In a couple of weeks she will be selecting the show for the next summer. For additional info contact Lee Colee'-Atnip at lee@atnip.net or call 512/847-7934.