Spotlight was on youth during FSHS drama camp

Fort Scott High School students Madelyn Martin (left) and Emmah Reeves lead participants through dance moves as part of the Tiger Drama Camp Thursday in the FSHS auditorium.

Area youngsters had their acting hats and dance shoes on for a Tiger Drama Camp that took place this week at Fort Scott High School.

The FSHS Thespian troupe hosted the drama camp, which ran Monday through Friday at the high school. FSHS Drama Director Angie Bin and a group of FSHS thespians provided instruction and active participation in basic acting techniques such as improvisation, characterization, movement, vocalization and pantomime.

"We had a little over 30 kids involved," Bin said. "Every day we had a little bit different number ... some of them had other things going on. This is the first year we've done one."

Bin said instruction for the youngsters was provided by about 15 FSHS thespians - both current students and alumni - who helped throughout the week. Instructors focused on different topics throughout the week.

"We broke it up ... it was all fundamental skills," she said. "We focused on different skills each day. They learned a small dance and song. Some did some monologues. One day we focused on lighting, sound and makeup."

The focus for one day of the camp was to teach participants a portion of the Broadway musical, "Anything Goes," which will be the fall production at the high school.

"We had kind of a mock audition," Bin said. "We did some improvised scenes and made up a little scene."

Using costumes and props, the kids performed for their parents and other attendees Friday in the FSHS auditorium, Bin said.

"We really had a good time," she said. "I'm very proud of my high school students, of how they stepped up and were great leaders."

The camp was open to area first through ninth graders and was broken up into different time slots. Bin said her own children were involved in the camp.

"It was a mixture of kids, some kids had been in plays, others had not," Bin said.

Students were asked to dress comfortably for active stage movement.

Registration for the camp cost $25 per participant, which included T-shirts for the youngsters. Bin said registration fees go into an account set up for the FSHS Thespian troupe to help pay for the group's expenses during the school year.

"We have a big state conference we go to in January; those will help with that," she said.

Bin said she plans to organize a similar camp for area youth next year.