MILLSTONE — Youngsters who have been immersed in the study of theater will conclude their summer with two performances of “The Pirates of Penzance” today, Aug. 13, at the Millstone Performing Arts Center, Dawson Court.
The show will be presented at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. Tickets are $10 each. The community is welcome to attend the show. For more information, call 732-446-1919.
Laura Wittman, the founder and owner of Cornerstone Music Studios, Millstone Township, is the artistic director at the Summer Music and Theatre Arts Camp. The camp is a shared initiative of Millstone Township Community Education and Cornerstone Music Studios.
Gilbert and Sullivan’s “The Pirates of Penzance” is set in the late 1800s on the rocky seashore on the coast of Cornwall, England, according to Wittman.
The story of this comic opera concerns Frederic, who, having completed his 21st year, is released from his apprenticeship to a band of tender-hearted pirates. Since Frederic was born on Feb. 29, he technically has a birthday every leap year, and therefore must serve for another 63 years, while his beloved Mabel waits for him.
“We have observed that the campers this year are enjoying ‘The Pirates of Penzance’ tremendously,” Wittman said. “They seem happy to come to camp every morning to learn the story.”
As the summer program entered its final days, Wittman reflected on the children’s accomplishments. In less than two weeks the cast members blocked scenes, choreographed the performance and got ready to present the show to the community with professional musicians in the pit orchestra, she said.
“Our campers learn their lines, the songs and solos in less than three weeks, all the while building lasting friendships, thriving in the learning process, playing theater and acting games and having an awesome time,” Wittman said.
A total of 24 children in grades three through nine participated in the program. The youngsters came from Millstone Township, Monroe Township, Jackson, Freehold, Hightstown, East Windsor and New Egypt, she said.
Jack May, a freshman at Allentown High School, was enthusiastic about the opportunity to play Frederic.
“I learned a lot at camp,” Jack said. “It is my first big lead in a play. You really have to put a lot of time into memorizing lines and learning songs and the choreography.”
Colette Wisniewski, who is a seventh grade pupil at the Millstone Township Middle School, is playing the role of Mabel. She said camp was a great place to learn about theater while making friends. This was her second summer attending the camp.
“I made so many friends here last year and this year,” Colette said. “Not only do you meet a lot of people and have a great time, but it’s a learning experience and it makes your summer fun. The most exciting thing was learning I had the part of Mabel.”
Maeve Touhey, a sixth grade pupil at the Millstone Township Elementary School, is playing the sergeant of police.
“Camp is a place to make friends and work on our acting skills,” Maeve said.
“We aspire to nurture their artist within and teach principles of musical theater technique,” Wittman said. “The goals we set are achieved with tremendous enthusiasm. The campers don’t sit around. They are very involved in choreography, staging, blocking, the music, and we have Theater 101. We have a great deal of unique components of the camp, but we try to keep it focused on the education of musical theater arts.”
Wittman is proud of the 2015 camp team and interns: Julia Henderson, music director; Colleen McDonald, assistant music director; Brandon Motz, stage director; Isabel Wittman, assistant stage director, choreographer; Donata Cucinotta, artistic adviser; Holly Deitz, studio operations director; Danyel Shiflet, studio arts administration adviser; Gina Whalen, program director, Millstone Community Education; Judy Mannino, assistant program director, Millstone Community Education; Paul Cuffari, music intern; Michael Deitz, music and artistic intern; Kathy Drake, music and artistic intern; Natasha Hlinka, stage direction and artistic intern; Laura Raccuglia, stage direction and artistic intern; Cole Touhey, stage direction and artistic intern.