Drama camp welcomes new director

DOVER-FOXCROFT — The Center Theatre for the Performing Arts has announced the hiring of Emily Hutchins to direct the 2017 Children’s Summer Drama Camp. Hutchins is finishing an education degree at the University of Southern Maine and has extensive child care and theatrical experience that she will bring to the program.

“I’m so excited to work with the kids this summer,” Hutchins said. “I will spend the summer working with campers to build confidence in their theatrical abilities while they have fun in a creative environment.”

Hutchins will be overseeing the longest running program of the Center Theatre. The Center Theatre Children’s Summer Drama Camp was started over 15 years ago by Jayne Lello. Since that time the camp has brought children from across the region together for two weeks to work on a theatrical production, learn to work as a team and to have fun.

Coming back this year as the theatrical directors are David Murray for session one between July 10 and 21 and Bobby Keniston for session two between July 24 and Aug. 4. Murray is directing a production of “The Mysterious Case of the Missing Ring” by Janie Downey Maxwell which is geared toward younger campers with less theatrical experience and Keniston is directing an original work entitled “Don’t Forget Your Nightlight” geared towards older campers with more experience.

Registration for both sessions is open and Hutchins is encouraging parents to get kids signed up soon. “We have already had quite a few kids enroll in the camp and there’s a chance we may fill up before the start of camp,” she said.

Hutchins also said that there are several scholarships available for families who may not be able to afford the camp tuition. “Thanks to the generosity of Three Rivers Kiwanis, Pleasant River Lumber, the Dover-Foxcroft Key Club and private donors we have funds for scholarships.,” she said. “We want to make sure any kids that have an interest get a chance to attend camp.”

The theatre is also looking for high schoolers interested in helping as volunteer interns at the camp. Interns help with the day-to-day operation of the camp and receive community service hours, work experience and involvement in the community that looks great on college applications. Anyone interested in registering for camp, applying for a scholarship or becoming an intern can get more information at www.centertheate.org, calling the Center Theatre at 564-8943 or by visiting the theatre box office between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. weekdays. The Center Theatre is a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing affordable entertainment, arts, and education to the community.

Photo courtesy of Center Theatre
NEW DIRECTOR — Emily Hutchins is the new director of the Center Theatre Children’s Summer Drama Camp.