Masquers to offer kids summer drama camp

SOAP LAKE — The Masquers Theater company will sponsor its first-ever children’s drama camp, the Masquers Summer Youth Program, during the week of July 23. The camp finale will be a performance of “Robin Hood and His Merry Men” at 2 p.m. July 28.

Registration is open now.

Heather Rhoades will be camp producer. “Robin Hood and His Merry Men” will be directed by Jen Schwartz, Coulee City, with Penny Sanford as the assistant director.

“Masquers Theater wants to foster a love of theater in the next generation,” Rhoades wrote.

Camp attendance is limited to 35 children. Children must be 8 to 14 years of age to participate. Each family is limited to three kids.

“We will take the first 35 children to register, meaning that every child is guaranteed a role,” Rhoades wrote. “There is nothing more disheartening for a child who is auditioning for the first time than to walk away without a part.” Drama camp gives kids a low-risk chance to experience acting and being on stage, she wrote.

Kids will rehearse from 1 to 5 p.m. daily at drama camp.

The play, written by Richard Gremel, follows the classic tale of the dashing Robin of Locksley and his fight with wicked Prince John. The prince is trying to impose his tyrannical rule on all of medieval England, assisted by the equally wicked Sheriff of Nottingham. Robin Hood and his merry men do battle with the wicked sheriff, and save the Maid Marian in the process.

Well – in the Masquers production, a lot of the merry men are actually girls. “This comic retelling of the story includes thumb wars, missed cues and a slow-motion fight,” according to a press release from Masquers.

Registration forms can be found at the Masquers website, www.masquers.com. Camp cost is $75 per child, and $60 each for the second and third children.

Tickets for the matinee will be available the door; a $5 donation per person is suggested. Masquers will not take advance reservation or sell tickets online for the camp finale.

Parents who want more information can contact Rhoades, masquers.heather@gmail.com.