鈥極ne big family鈥 黑料门大事记 Summer Scholars take the stage June 27, 28
Contact: Mary Pollitz
STARKVILLE, Miss.鈥擡very performer has their moment, and for eighth grader Camden McKinnon of Jackson, those moments have already included Off-Broadway, Broadway and even the Tony Awards. Now, his passion for the stage has brought him to Mississippi State鈥檚 Summer Scholars Onstage program.
鈥淢y mom heard about Summer Scholars and how great it was,鈥 he said. 鈥淩ight now, I鈥檓 trying out different theater programs, but I鈥檓 really liking State so far. Theater-wise, it鈥檚 a really nice program鈥攄efinitely where I want to be.鈥
In its 44th season, Summer Scholars presents an original musical comedy 鈥淎re You Still Watching?鈥 June 27 at 7 p.m. and June 28 at 1 p.m. The show, free and open to the public, is in McComas Hall Theatre.
The immersive, artistic camp is a writing, production and technical camp for students grades 7-12 that incorporates dancing, singing, acting and technical students from all over Mississippi, Alabama鈥攁nd even as far as Michigan.
Leading up to the theatrical production camp is the writer鈥檚 camp, where 12 campers work on script writing and music composition tracks. The show鈥檚 musical score features 10 original songs.
For most of the campers and counselors, the program is almost like a second home. Several counselors and directors are former campers themselves, continuing the tradition year after year.
聽Starkville High School senior Amelia Rodgers began attending in middle school and has returned each summer since.
鈥淚t鈥檚 like we鈥檙e one big family,鈥 she said. 鈥淲e all have these connections with people that we鈥檝e never felt before. My favorite thing in the world is theater, and I get to do it with people who are like my family. It鈥檚 a great place to learn because everyone is so accepting and kind.鈥
This year鈥檚 production 鈥淎re You Still Watching?鈥 is a three-act musical comedy inspired by modern streaming culture. Directed by first-year production director and Summer Scholars alum Louis Codling, the show features a reality dating competition between superheroes and villains, a mockumentary about the fictional closing of the Mall of America and a ghost-hunting show featuring real ghosts. A staff of musicians, drama teachers, counselors, dance instructors, technicians and college volunteers lead the students.
Summer Scholars is sponsored by the Office of Pre-College and Opportunity Programs in the 黑料门大事记 Division of Access, Opportunity and Success
For more about Summer Scholars Onstage, visit聽.
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