The Laurel Canyon Optimist Club is a loyal supporter of Reinhardt University School of Performing Arts and its annual summer day camp. For a fourth consecutive year, they contributed to the tuition of students attending the Musical Theatre Intensive.
Reinhardt University School of Performing Arts’ summer day camp provides an opportunity for local high school students to enhance their theatre skills, including workshops in everything from singing and acting to set design and makeup.
While the COVID-19 pandemic made it a challenge, it was still important to the members of the Optimist Club to contribute.
“This past year has been hard, but we wanted to make sure to continue our support of these important programs,” said Ed Hill, member of the Laurel Canyon club. “We want to continue to raise funds and support the youth throughout Cherokee County.”
After a year of managing new ways to teach and patiently waiting to perform again, Brian Osborne, music director for musical theatre and opera and assistant director of music, is thrilled for this year’s intensive.
“I am proud to announce our sixth annual Reinhardt Musical Theatre Intensive. The program offers local high school students a fun, challenging venue to work on performance skills including singing, acting, movement for the stage and audition preparation,” said Osborne. “A wonderful group of Reinhardt faculty and musical theatre majors work with participants for two solid weeks on any number of skills including improv, monologues, audition cuts, breathing and body engagement for singing, resumes and much more.”
This year’s camp will incorporate University COVID-19 protocols for social distancing and mask-wearing in rehearsals with performances outdoors and socially distanced for an exciting ending to the Musical Theatre Intensive.
“At the end of the two weeks, we stage a full musical and a song cabaret! Perhaps most importantly, participants learn the importance of teamwork and how to develop confidence,” said Osborne. “Learning to express through singing and acting is such an exciting way for young people to find their voice, not only on stage but in their lives. It is so rewarding to see how students grow in such a short time.”
“We look forward to seeing the students perform each year,” said Hill. “After last year’s virtual camp with no performance, we are excited to see this year’s live performance. We are always amazed at what they can do after being at camp for two weeks.”
Osborne sees how students from a wide range of experiences and interests gain valuable lessons during the two-week intensive and recognized the importance of this gift.
“The Optimist Club of Laurel Canyon has been instrumental over the years in helping support talent and the financial needs of families in Cherokee County. This group provides support all year long in a variety of capacities throughout the county, and they have again been so gracious to connect with us again. Many thanks!”
