New Theatre Camp Set to Run This Summer

There’s a new camp coming to town this summer, and it still has space available. Fable and Fairy Tale Theatre Camp, run by Barbara Morash of the Music Is Art Agency in Stoneham, will offer eight weeks of half-day camp sessions starting June 27. The camp is designed for children ages 5 to 10, and no previous theatre experience is necessary. Each week will focus on a theme from fables and fairytales, including Cinderella, Peter Pan, and the Tortoise and the Hare.

Other local theatre camps focus on putting on a show, but Morash said her concept is different. As a music teacher, Morash heard countless stories from students disappointed not to get a leading role at theatre camp.

“[Another] camp will take 80 to 100 kids for a musical, and they’ll take five to 10 leads. That leaves all the other kids in the background, and they’re very aware that they’re in the background. I see the disappointment every year in the kids and their parents. I wanted to do a camp, especially for young kids, that didn’t pressure them,” Morash said.

“Everybody can be Cinderella,” she added. “We’re not going to put on a show; we’re going to have fun.”

Each week will focus on building skills in structured classes. There will be lessons on voice, movement, and acting, as well as games to teach spontaneity, quick thinking, and stage presence. In addition, time will be spent designing costumes and sets and learning technical aspects of the theatre.

Morash studied at the New England Conservatory of Music, teaches private music lessons, and has experience doing musical theatre and dinner theatre. The camp staff includes four counselors who are college and high school students with extensive musical training.

“We have enough teachers that are qualified that, if there are kids at different ages and levels, they can break off at the level they’re at,” Morash said.

The camp plans to run for eight weeks, from June 27 to August 19. Discounts are available for multi-week sign-ups and for siblings. Each week is a self-contained unit, teaching all aspects of musical theatre. Students may enroll for any or all weeks. Sessions will take place at , and a portion of the proceeds will go toward reconstruction of the church tower.

Despite her enthusiasm about the camp, Morash is finding it difficult to enroll students. While handing out flyers at Town Day recently and talking to prospective students and their parents, she discovered many people signed up for summer camp months ago.

“I may be laying the groundwork for next year,” she admitted.

Even if the camp runs with low enrollment this summer, Morash is learning quickly. She plans to get the word out much earlier for next summer.