Most of us spend our summer vacation relaxing, putting our feet up, enjoying the peace and serenity of some much-earned time off. But, for eighteen area children (ages eight to eighteen) and a few adults they spent their summer learning the intricacies of performing in a musical with UpStage Artists, Beltsville’s premiere community theater group. The crew and performers spent eight weeks learning how to sing, dance, act, project, and have fun. It was hard work but satisfying for all involved.
The process began in late June as actors auditioned by learning songs and reading from a script that they had not seen. Once cast, they spent their first few weeks learning the music and dance that is a major part of any musical. After the first few weeks, they began to learn their blocking (the term used to describe when a director tells you where and when to do things on stage) and develop their characters. They also had to spend time outside of rehearsals memorizing their lines as well as their dance steps and lyrics to their songs. It’s a ton of work but it is all worth it in the end.
During the last 3 weeks of August, the cast put the sound and lights together with their performances to create a completed show. They performed six times to completely sold-out crowds, a first for UpStage Artists.
Many summer theater programs charge anywhere from $50 to $500 for children to be involved. Some are summer camps; some are just local community theaters. UpStage prides itself on offering the same types of opportunities for no cost at all. UpStage Artists mission is to bring theater to anyone who wants to learn, and their family shows are fantastic ways to reach young people who want to give theater a try!