• Participants will produce Seussical Jr. in June.

The Star Valley Arts Council Children’s Summer Theater Camp, which takes place each June in Afton’s Ford Theatre, will present “Seussical Jr.” this year. The council is seeking funds to match a community business donation of up to $4000 to help fund the camp.

“Seussical, Jr.” is a musical collection of Dr Seuss stories. “It’s colorful, it’s bright, and it’s so fun,” said Tina Crowther, Camp Director, in an interview with SVI Media on the SVI Radio Network last week.  Children ages 6-16 are invited to participate in the camp, which begins Friday, June 7 and runs Monday through Saturday for three weeks. Rehearsals are scheduled for 10 a.m. to noon each day. Performances are scheduled for June 27-29.

Interested families can register for the camp and pay tuition at starvalleyarts.org/summertheatercamp. Auditions for Seussical Jr. are scheduled for Wednesday, June 5 from 1-3 p.m. at the Ford Theatre.  Registered students are invited to arrive at the theater any time between 1 and 3 p.m., where they will sign up and present their audition, first come, first served.

According to Crowther, “People start to show up [for auditions] even before 1:00,” but the audition atmosphere is very “laid back.” Children are asked to sing a short song, and then they will be invited to select a passage from a Dr. Seuss book to share. Directors will be looking for playful and interesting animation in each child’s audition.  Casting will be posted the following day, and rehearsals will begin on June 7.

“Everybody who comes to join us will get in the play,” Crowther assures.  “It’s a big commitment but it’s only for a few weeks. “We’re trying to give kids who haven’t had other opportunities, like the high school musical, to participate. If you have been in the high school musical and you still fit within our age group, we’d love to have you. Don’t let that stop you. [This program is primarily] for the younger kids who don’t have [opportunities like this in school.] We really have a fun time with it.”

Tuition for the entire camp is $75 per child. Families who register more than one child will be able to register additional children for $50 each.  “In order to keep this program going, we need to charge a little bit,” said Crowther. “If you add up the hours and the opportunity, it really is a great value.”

In the same interview, Lxi Weber, Executive Director of the Arts Council, reminded listeners that these programs need community financial support.  “The Children’s Summer Theater Camp is such a well-loved and well received program in the community, but it’s really expensive to run. Our goal for this program has always been to have it be as affordable as possible for all the participants. In order to do that, we’re always looking for community sponsors. This year, we have been really fortunate to have a community business step forward and offer to up to $4,000 as a match for any funds that we can raise. If we can bring in $2,000, then this business will also give $2,000. If we raise $4,000, this business will give $4,000. So we’re trying to get as close to that $4,000 as possible. These funds will make a significant difference in this program.”

The fundraising drive to raise money for the matching donation went live on the Star Valley Arts Council website and social media pages on Monday, April 22.  “We are hoping to find the right people and businesses that are willing and able to donate.”

Businesses and individuals wanting to donate to the Children’s Summer Theater Camp can visit starvalleyarts.org/donate to make a donation by credit or debit card, or with Paypal. Donors who wish to donate through Venmo can send their payment to @starvalleyarts.

“This program is just so fun,” said Crowther.  Children who participate invest a lot of work and growth into the camp, but they gain more than experience. “I have read studies that show that kids who are involved in drama and theater really gain a lot of self-confidence by participating in these things.” Crowther has watched her campers increase in confidence, skill and friendship.

“Seussical is an interesting play because it has mostly music and not a lot of speaking parts,” Crowther concluded. “Kids get to learn some harmonies in their singing and they get to do the costumes and we have kids backstage helping with all the tech stuff. We have kids that do the sound and lights. It’s all run by kids and it’s just such a unique opportunity for them. If any kids are feeling a little timid about auditioning but want to do it, just come anyway and let us know you’d like to be involved.  We can find a spot for everyone who wants to participate.”