This year’s Summer Youth Theatre Conservatory students will perform “The Mad Adventures of Mr. Toad,” inspired by the popular children’s novel “The Wind in the Willows.”
Early registration has started for the three-week theater summer camp where students ages 8-18 will receive specialized instruction in all aspects of theater including skills such as voice, dance, improvisation, set building and stage movement.
“They learn how to get up and do things in front of people,” said conservatory coordinator Annette Smith. “It’s a good basis for the rest of life. They have the confidence that is generated when you can get up on stage in front of people and make your voice heard.”
The training culminates in a full-length play staged at the Chilkat Center.
This year’s production depicts a series of misadventures between a toad with a fat wallet and other animals he encounters on a spending spree.
“They have a great scene where they take over Toad Hall and have a big food fight and stuff like that so there’s a lot of good action,” Smith said. “It’s a classic.”
Lynn Canal Community Players have hosted a youth conservatory since the 1990s, and it typically attracts around 30 local kids each season.
Oregon’s Lane Community College communications professor Stanley Coleman will head to Haines for the fourth year in a row to instruct the students.
Cost is $275 with partial scholarships available.
“If somebody doesn’t quite have enough to see their way to do the whole thing we can help out,” Smith said.
The conservatory starts June 30 and goes through July 23. The performances will be on July 21 and 22.
A half-time playmaking session for kids ages 5-7 costs $175. Youths enrolled in playmaking will also create their own play and will have parts in the larger performance.
Preregistration discounts are available until June 9.