The Mental Health Drug and Alcohol Services of Champaign and Logan Counties (MHDAS) recently awarded a grant of $10,120 to the local nonprofit Summer Theater Camp (STC).
In June, STC will begin its third season serving students ages 12 to 19. Lynn Adell Mirtes, Summer Theater Camp founder and co-producer, said the audiences and enrollment for the program is growing every year.
“Some of our third-year performers have younger siblings who are now old enough to attend the two-week camp. They’ve been anxiously waiting while hearing their brothers and sisters rave about how much fun camp is and watching them perform on the stage of the Gloria Theatre in Urbana,” she said.
“Part of this generous gift from MHDAS will go toward scholarships, making it possible for more kids to attend STC.”
Mirtes said $2,000 from the grant has been allocated to provide $150 scholarships to students living in Logan or Champaign counties who apply for the program.
According to U. S. News and World Report, students who participate in the performing arts are five times more likely to lead productive lives. Participants improve communication and teamwork skills while gaining self-confidence.
“Camp also increases their creative thinking and helps them have greater focus and memory which, as an educator for thirty years, I know those skills will benefit them throughout their lifetimes,” Mirtes added.
As the co-producer and assistant director of STC, Wendee Fosnaugh has witnessed a ripple effect of camp.
“These young performers inspire their peers and uplift our audiences. We are truly building the leaders of tomorrow. It’s exciting to see impressive growth every year. Last year, we had students from 14 schools in four counties, Clark, Champaign, Logan and Madison.”
A portion of the MHDAS grant will purchase much-needed cordless body microphones to be worn by the cast.
“The rental of 20 lavalier mics last year was very costly. The grant allows us to purchase eight of these mics so that lessens the rental cost each year,” said Mirtes.
Camp begins with auditions from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, June 14, at the Urbana Youth Center on Market Street in Urbana. Daily classes are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
All registered campers will have a role in the musical comedy “Night at the Wax Museum” which will be performed on the stage of the Gloria Theatre Thursday, June 26, and Friday, June 27, at 7 p.m.; and a matinee on Saturday, June 28, at 2 p.m.
To register a student for camp, go to the website SummerTheaterCamp.org. Applications for scholarships are also on the website.
Those businesses, individuals and organizations who wish to become sponsors or donate to STC can use the QR code on the website or mail checks to Summer Theater Camp for Youth, 1443 Three Mile Rd., Urbana, OH 43078.
“Please become a ripple maker and help us encourage youth and inspire success for tomorrow’s leaders,” Fosnaugh added.