Community members host ‘Made for the Stage’ camp for young adults interested in theater.
LIMA — The art of theater is alive and well thanks to one college student. Madison Downing, currently majoring in Theater Arts in Pittsburgh, is a Lima native who created a summer camp for students who are interested in learning more about performing.
“It is a two-week program where I am teaching all things theater to kids ages eight through 18,” Downing said. “We’re teaching acting, directing, and playwriting and then I teach them the basics of theater.”
The camp began last year as a way to fill in the gaps for young adults in the community.
“I started doing it because I wanted it to be accessible to a community that is blossoming in the arts, but also still is lacking in areas,” Downing said. “I did theater since I was nine but I never had the accessibility to learn on a professional level. That was a big thing for me in making this free in a way that allows more people to be involved.”
Downing also said theater can be a hobby to a lot of people, but it also teaches leadership skills, communication and how to function in society, developing skills like creating boundaries.
“The first week they learn then the second week we prepare them for a showcase,” Downing said. “They audition for a role (in the play), they have the scene memorized and they’ll be directed in that. It will showcase everything they learned in the process.
The students will perform a play at the end of the camp. Community members are welcome to attend at 6 p.m. July 28 at the Encore Theatre, 991 N. Shore Dr., Lima.
Families interested in the camp will also have an opportunity to pre-register for the free camp next year at Friday’s performance.
Downing also said the free camp was sponsored by community organizations with the help of Wes Allen and Sawyer Holbrook.
For more information reach the Salvation Army at 419-224-9055.
Reach Precious Grundy at 567-242-0351.
