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In the spotlight

The Webster City Community Theatre has been filled with activity this week. Camp Creamery has returned to the WCCT for the second year in a row to give local youth an opportunity to perform. A total of 44 kids from 2nd to 8th grade have been rehearsing for four hours each day with three Camp Creamery coaches.

This year’s production “Lights, Hollywood, Action,” is centered around collaboration and teamwork.

In this play, two screenwriters make their way to Hollywood. They encounter people who want to make their movie a reality. The screenwriters become discouraged when a number of changes are made to the movie, completely taking away from the original intent of the film. This play shows that all different types of people are needed to make a great movie.

The public can attend performances on Friday at 7 p.m. and Saturday at 11 a.m. Tickets are $3. Tickets will also be sold at the door. To check for ticket availability call the WCCT box office an hour before the show. For more information about the show contact the WCCT box office at (515) 832-4456.

“Collaboration is the moral of the story,” said Camp Creamery coach Lindsey Cline.

This is Cline’s second year with Camp Creamery. The twenty-five year old is excited to be back in Webster City for a new play and more fun experiences.

Cline, a Jacksonville, NC, native, received a BFA in musical theater from Western Carolina University. Cline became interested in acting in elementary school after attending The Lion King on Broadway in New York City.

Cline encouraged youth to try out theater, especially if they are unable to partake in sports.

“I think this camp is a wonderful opportunity for kids who either aren’t interested or aren’t able to participate in sports, because sports are an excellent team-building activity,” said Cline.

J. Morgan Shaffo, 24, is experiencing her first year as a coach with Camp Creamery. The Louisville, Kentucky native has been active in theater since age five. She participated in summer theater camps, took singing lessons, and honed her skills through higher education.

“The first show I saw was “Annie” and I just fell in love with it and have been doing it ever since,” Shaffo said. “I’ve always known that this is what I wanted to do.”

Shaffo received her BFA in musical theater from Western Kentucky University. She has been working professionally since graduation.

“I feel the most alive when I am on stage,” Shaffo said.

Shaffo said one of the positive things about this camp is the ability for every kid to be actively involved in the production.

“The nice thing is the way these camps are set up, every person has a line, every person has a role, a costume, songs to sing, and dances to learn,” said Shaffo. “It gives everybody a chance to do it.”

Shaffo also noted the skills children learn at Camp Creamery will help them as they get older.

“If I can teach the kids one thing this week it’s to follow directions,” said Shaffo. “As an adult that is something you need to have, and theatre is a great way to learn that.”

Kent Reynolds, 25, is also finishing up his first year with Camp Creamery. The Kansas City, Kansas native was picked up by the Amana Theatre during an audition at the Unified Professional Theatre Auditions in Memphis, Tennessee in February. Reynolds received his BFA in musical theater from Drake University.

Reynolds first became interested in theatre at age eight. His father took him to a production of “Fiddler on the Roof” and he was hooked.

“I love it,” Reynolds said. “I think it’s amazing what the kids will do and accomplish over the course of a week.”

“It’s a sense a power you can give kids,” said Shaffo.

According to Reynolds there are is a multitude of benefits kids get from attending this camp.

“You learn how to talk to people,” said Reynolds. “This is also a great way to learn how to express yourself.”

“The only problem we have is kids are so excited to do the production that we have to focus them in,” said Shaffo. “They’re so excited to be here.”

“I think a lot of the time we underestimate what our kids can actually do,” said Reynolds. “They’re ready to rise to whatever challenge we give them. You just have to give them the challenge.”

The Webster City camp is the fifth and final camp for this year’s coaches. They also spent time in Dysert, Washington, and two weeks in Coralville.

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