Sp-Arts is coming back, but it’ll look a little different this year.
The popular kids camp hosted by the Arrowsmith Community Recreation Association will focus solely on arts this time around, instead of both arts and sports.
“It’s something a little bit different and unique,” said Arrowsmith Recreation co-ordinator Kim Longmuir. “It’ll be a lot of fun for everyone.”
This year, the participants will put on a production of a Western play called The Legend of Lightning Larry. In the mornings, Longmuir said they will rehearse, build the set and make costumes and props with instructor Jennifer Bate. They will then focus on making music and sound effects for the show with Fahlon Smith in the afternoons.
“Our instructors are amazing,” said Longmuir. Bate, another Arrowsmith Recreation co-ordinator, is the former president and artist director for ECHO Players, as well as the co-founder of Bard to Broadway and Calliope Entertainment. Smith is a member of Kumbana Marimba and studying music at UVic.
In order to put on a whole show in only a week, Bate said the camp will use a method called readers theatre. This involves using a fun, shorter story and allowing the actors to keep their scripts as opposed to memorizing lines.
“It’s not a formal theatre process,” she said. “It’s all about the experience.”
Bate, who used to lead readers theatre camps at Tigh-na-mara, also said the youth have the choice to act, play music, work backstage or do a combination of everything.
Camp participants don’t need any previous experience with theatre or music, said Longmuir.
“They just need to come with enthusiasm and a big smile,” she said.
As usual, Sp-Arts will take place at the Coombs Fairgrounds and the final performance of The Legend of Lightning Larry will take place on the Coombs Centennial Stage. Longmuir couldn’t be happier with the setting, which she said is perfect for the Western theme of this year’s camp.
The camp, which is open to youth aged 9-13 years, will run July 20-24 from 9:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. each day. Space is limited to 20 participants and the cost is $90 for the week.
For more information or to register now, please contact Longmuir at 250-248-8515 or kimlongmuir@telus.net.