The Russellville Arts Council will be having opportunities for talented students to feature their talents on the deGraffenried Auditiorium stage this summer. For the past 10 years, one of the group’s favorite community projects has been the development of young talent with week-long learning events bringing dedicated local teachers, technicians, make-up artists and costumer designers together with elementary and high school students for a fun-filled week of learning and performances. This year the council will be having TWO weeks of productions…a dance camp for lower elementary students led by choreographer Kelly Lewis and a production of Disney’s Lion King JR for older youth led by director Larry Vaught.
The Russellville Arts Council will be hosting a summer dance camp for young performers in second through sixth grades Monday, June 4, through Friday, June 8, from 8:30 a.m. to noon at Russellville High School. Two special performances will be presented on Friday, June 8, and Saturday, June 9, both at 7 p.m. The price of the camp will be $25 per camper, which includes a camp T-shirt and two free show tickets for parents.
During our Broadway Kids 2018 Summer Dance Camp, performers will learn dances and stage productions from popular Broadway and Disney shows that have been performed in our community over the years. They will also get to explore set designs, props, and narration. Join us as we learn choreography from popular shows such as High School Musical, Little Mermaid, Mary Poppins, and many more! Kelly Lewis, local award-winning choreographer and Arts Council member, will be leading the camp.
Students interested in the Broadway Kids 2018 Summer Dance Camp may attend a “Meet and Move” session on May 21 to meet Mrs. Lewis and new friends as we have a fun experience learning a simple dance! The Meet and Move event will be begin at 6 p.m. in deGraffenried Auditorium at RHS where you will get a chance to order the student’s camp T-shirt, pay camp fees, and learn details about the week of camp and performances.
In addition, on Monday, May 21, and Tuesday, May 22, students from sixth grade through graduating seniors will be auditioning for parts for Lion King JR (this follows the Meet and Move event). Students will be auditioning in small groups and will demonstrate a brief a cappella song of their choosing as well as have opportunities to read dialogue from the play. From this auditioning process, parts will be assigned for the production. There will be a read-through of the play on May 31 and sizing for costumes, firming up role assignments, and receiving a music CD. (Those receiving principal roles will be asked to have some brief rehearsals leading up to the full week of Drama Camp).
The full week of Drama Camp will be June 25 through June 29 from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day. Performances for Lion King JR will be on Friday, June 29, and Saturday, June 30, at 7 p.m. with a matinee on Saturday, June 30 at 3 p.m. (with a cast party in between performances!). The price of the camp will be $25 per camper, which includes a camp T-shirt and two free show tickets for parents. Students will also need to purchase their own leotards as part of their costume and will have a fun activity as we paint them to match their jungle characters!)
For more information, please visit the Russellville Arts Council Facebook page or call president Larry Vaught at 270-977-5823.
Circle your calendars and join us in supporting two wonderful productions for this year Russellville!
Choreographer Kelly Lewis
Kelly Lewis is originally from Nashville, Tenn., where she grew up training in classical ballet, theater, jazz and hip hop. In 2004, Kelly graduated with a BFA in Performing Arts Education from The University of Tennessee at Martin. She currently resides in Southern Kentucky and is a middle school teacher. Locally, she has choreographed for Logan County Middle School musicals, Logan County High School, Russellville Arts Council and many other community theaters. She has also choreographed award-winning routines for Franklin Simpson High School Dance Team since 2014. Kelly is currently working on her Master’s Degree and serves on the Russellville Arts Council. She loves working with children of all ages and her passion for dance and theater arts.
Director Larry Vaught
Larry Vaught serves as president of the Russellville Arts Council and is a retired public school teacher with many years of experience with community theater and vocal concerts. He also serves as minister of music at Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church as well as a piano teacher and tuner.
