Summer MusicSummer Musical TheatreCamp includes ‘Footloose’ and ‘Phantom of the Op’ry’

Performances this summer in Lewis Auditorium at Flagler College The Summer Musical TheatreCamp for Kids and Teens begins its 19th summer season with the classic musical “Jesus Christ Superstar” and Neil Simon’s classic play “Jake’s Women” as the shows for the high school division of this educational program. The high school camp begins Monday, June 10 and runs four consecutive weeks ending with the productions of “Jesus Christ Superstar” July 6-8; and “Jake’s Women” July 7-8.

The second session of SMTC begins with programs for kids ages 5 through 11, and a second session of middle school and high school aged kids. The kids show this summer is a production of “Phantom of the Op’ry” and the teen crossover group will perform the musical “Footloose.”

These camps begin on Monday, July 9 and continue four consecutive weeks with performances of both shows on the weekend of August 2-4. All performances take place at the newly-renovated Lewis Auditorium at Flagler College, 14 Granada St., in downtown St. Augustine. Mike Beaman serves as artistic director for the summer program. Carl Liberatore returns as technical director, and Curtis Powell works as administrator and music director for the program.

“Jesus Christ Superstar,” considered the first rock opera, and created as a concept album at the end of the turbulent ’60’s, has at its center a social and political rebel. Jesus’ meteor-like rise in renown provides, as the title suggests, a parallel to contemporary celebrity worship. As his teachings are evermore embraced, Judas increasingly questions the enlightened motives of this new prophet, resulting in betrayal.

The Summer Musical TheatreCamp, now in its 19th season, has excelled in its goal of giving students a taste of musical theater by instructing in all aspects of a musical theater production: acting, music and dance. The camp culminates in the creation and performance of complete staged musical theater and theatrical productions before a live audience.

The Summer Musical TheaterCamp is widely as the leading training ground for young actors. Since its inception in 1995, with 30 kids ages 5 to 14, the educational program has produced 28 musical theater shows with over 1200 kids and teens in participation.

For the past 10 years the SMTC for teens has produced full-scale Broadway musicals on its stage. This summer SMTC produces its sixth non-musical comedy with an elite auditioned cast from within the teen program.Additionally, for a fourth year, the middle school/high school group will present its own full-scale musical in an effort to give these younger actors the skills and opportunities to be on stage in leading rolls. The actors have come not only from St. Augustine and throughout the state, but from across the U.S. including New Jersey, California, Ohio, Wisconsin; and even England and Malaysia. Many children and teens have spent up to 13 years in the program with several now working as professional actors throughout the country. This summer, more than 175 children ranging from age 5 to 18 are expected to take part in the 2013 summer season.