Hightstown Theatre in the Park began two years ago as an affordable, summer theater program for middle and high school students. This summer, in addition to the five-week evening session held at the grandstand in Association Park, HTIP is introducing new, half-day programs at the Hightstown Firehouse Hall.
Students in grades 6-12 can also choose any or all of the three one-week camps focusing on Comedy/Improv, Musical Theater and Shakespeare. Camps run from June 27 – July 31. Kids in grades 2-5 have their own two-week camp Aug. 1-12 .
HTIP was created by Kerrie Peterson and is a joint program of the Hightstown Parks and Recreation Committee and Hightstown Cultural Arts Commission.
“We have so much talent in our community, the kids need more opportunities to perform,” said Ms. Peterson. “There are limited opportunities during the school year and many kids don’t get a chance because of sports. In the park, everyone gets to shine.”
Another focus was to make the programs affordable and available to all.
“Our new programs are $50 to $75 per week, and our five-week program is just $250. Discounts are available for siblings. Thanks to a grant from Mercer County, need-based scholarships are also available. There are no residency restrictions,” said Ms. Peterson
Jonathan A. Martin (HHS ’12, B.A. JMU 2016) will be returning as the Artistic Director of HTIP.
“The five-week session of Theatre in the Park just keeps getting bigger and better, and I believe this will be our best year yet,” said Mr. Martin.
Kyle Bussone, 14, is entering his third year in the program.
“Different kids from the community get together and put on a show. You learn so much interesting stuff but you don’t feel intimidated or that you have to be perfect. Everybody gets a chance. The directors really care and you can tell they like what they’re doing,” said Kyle.
Said HTIP mom, Margie Strickland, “As a parent I watch the directors work with the kids and they make it so much fun, but I can see it’s really structured and the kids are learning from those games. It’s so interesting to see them being so silly one minute and then really applying the lessons later in rehearsal. They’re having so much fun they don’t even realize they are learning so much.”
“The first year we did Shakespeare and when I first saw the script it was so overwhelming to see all those words,” added Kyle. “All I knew about Shakespeare was the guy with the skull. I didn’t know it was funny.”
Mr. Martin will also be leading the one-week intensives in Musical Theatre, Comedy/Improv, and Shakespeare. All of these programs give students a more in-depth look at one specific topic, where they will get to polish their skills and learn many new things along the way.
He is especially excited for the Shakespeare camp.
“Shakespeare has many similarities with hip-hop music, and I can’t wait to explore those with the performers,” said Mr. Martin.
Ms. Peterson said that last year so many parents asked about a program for younger performers the two-week half-day camp was added this year. Chrissy Johnson (2016 graduate of JMU’s B.A. Theatre Education program) will serve as the Creative Director for Theatre in the Park’s new Elementary Camp for students grades 2-5. Johnson has years of experience as a teacher, camp counselor, and actor.
“This camp is for much younger performers and provides a safe, encouraging space for elementary aged students to explore and play in a theatrical setting,” said Ms. Johnson said. She also said she welcomes students with little or no experience onstage at all.
Seventh grader Maddie Strickland is returning for her second season with HTIP and she is looking forward to experiencing the days camps in addition to the evening program.
“I love performing, and all the fun games. But mostly I love being outside. You can really take chances. You can just go for it and have fun,” said Maddie.
Maddie’s younger sister Sammie is now signed up for the elementary camp.
“Maddie has so much fun, I think I’m really going to like it. And I see all the kids who do the shows get lots of flowers. I can’t wait to get flowers too!” said Sammie.
As Theatre in the Park has grown, parents and community members have raved about the program. Peggy Riggio’s oldest daughter Kaitlyn, 16, attended Theatre in the Park for the past two years, and now is a student director. Her younger daughter, Jillian, enrolled in the program last year, after watching Kaitlyn in the program the first year.
“Kaitlyn loves being onstage, and it is just a great program. Jillian saw how much fun she had and signed up the next year,” said Ms. Riggio.
She said both daughters are looking forward participating in the evening and day programs offered. “There is a great group of kids involved. The older kids and the adults are great. The program gave them a sense of accomplishment and that confidence they needed.”
More information and registration forms can be found on their Facebook page, Hightstown Theatre in the Park or by emailing Executive Director Kerrie Peterson at [email protected].
