By Jordyn Martin
Nasson Community Center and Little Theater is holding a youth theater camp production of Disney’s The Little Mermaid Jr. with three performances to take place on Friday, Aug. 14, Saturday, Aug. 15, and Sunday, Aug. 16. The Friday and Saturday shows will be at 6:30 pm and the Sunday matinee will take place at 2:30 pm.
Since the camp only runs for two weeks before the production opens to audiences, the staff and the kids have to work at a very fast pace to have the show ready in time. According to the show’s creative director Cat Mathews, they begin the camp by playing name and memorization games along with team-building activities to foster the building of friendships among the campers. Before the end of the last day, low-stress auditions are held to cast all of the parts in the show.
The rest of the camp is dedicated to scene work, choreography, learning music, and making sure that the kids are enjoying themselves. “I love seeing the kids find community, which I think is so important in this day and age where we’re so reliant on technology,” stated Mathews. “This is where you can be you and you’re not going to be judged for that.”
She continued, saying that it is incredibly important to her to pass the art along to the youth. “I think art is important to our community. It’s a way where we can express things that we can’t in other modalities. If you don’t have the arts in the community, you don’t have a healthy community, because you don’t get to feel things. And this art, I think it changes people’s hearts.”
Mathews enjoys watching the kids that she works with grow and come out of their shells over the time they have together. “I love being able to teach them things and be a person that is safe. I’m always proud of them because they put in so much work in such a short time.” She also highlighted the hard work that the staff and tech have been doing behind the curtain. “I couldn’t imagine doing this by myself and I wouldn’t be able to. I’m so proud of them for all they’ve accomplished.”
Don’t miss out on this classic, deep-sea adventure! Tickets are now on sale on the Nasson Community Center’s website (https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/nassonevents/disney-the-little-mermaid-jr) as well as at the door a half hour before each show. For adults, tickets are $16.30. For children 17 & under and seniors over the age of 65, tickets are $13.24.
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