I think the most amazing thing about Music Theater Camp this summer is not how much the kids learned about performing - it's how much I learned about the kids. Of course they're going to have a blast singing and dancing and acting and getting to know other kids who are interested in the same stuff as they are. I'm more amazed at the amount of real, actual work they did.
Let's face it - I've done a million of these camps. And I know how much the kids are able to learn in a short amount of time. But the campers at the Elefante School this summer not only learned four full company group numbers, but two small group numbers as well. In addition, all of the teens performed solos, and each age group put together an acting piece and a dance number. The "littles" also wrote their own puppet show with Miss Clare, and the "bigs" wrote and staged an original play. Somehow, in the midst of all this, we managed to fit in numerous special guests, voice classes, music history classes, tap classes, creating posters for the show, a field trip to C&J Costumes, and a ton of work on technique.
To accomplish all of this in a summer would be impressive enough. But the campers did this every two weeks for six weeks. We did three 90-minute performances every two weeks, each one completely different from the other two.
So what I learned this summer is that if you give them the tools, the kids will build something wonderful. I'm not talking about the performances (although they were certainly a blast). I'm talking about an environment where all are welcomed, no one is shunned, self-expression is encouraged, fun is had by all, and tough, gut-wrenching, meticulous work is expected. I'm talking about a place where the kids are there to help each other regardless of talent, experience, or age, and where all are willing to learn and grow, somehow all together but at their own paces. I'm talking about kids who, even after my many years in the business of arts education, positively blow my mind with what they are able to accomplish in just two weeks.
The funny part is that I spent all spring telling everybody what these kids would be able to do and all summer being blown away by it.
By the way - if you want to check out some more video of the performances, visit the Elefante School Facebook page, where more video is going up every day.
Joe Elefante
Artistic Director