Past seen anew in arts camp
Alec Leeseberg has spent two years in his church choir and been in a few productions, but his first leading role was a big one.
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Alec Leeseberg, 8, and Sydney Hillman, 8, rehearse the roles of George and Martha Washington in a play titled 13 Colonies at the Columbia County Arts Camp at Lewiston Elementary School.
Photo by Jim Blaylock
Alec, 8, showed no signs of being nervous as he took the stage Friday as George Washington in the Columbia County Summer Arts Camp production of 13 Colonies, a children's musical about how the 13 American colonies were formed.
The camp, organized by Columbia County Arts Inc. for 7- to 13-year-olds, is believed to be the first arts camp in Columbia County. It ran last week at Lewiston Elementary School.
The 16 campers were exposed to all types of arts, focusing on the final production performed for parents Friday afternoon.
"This is our first time," said Bev Smith, Columbia County Arts Inc. program director. "Our goal was to bring all the arts to the children - singing, dancing, set design. They are the cast, crew and everything."
Stephanie Taylor, 10, played the role of Sybil Ludington, who made a midnight ride to warn of the British similar to Paul Revere.
To get ready for the production, the campers created most of their own props and sets including paper quilts and buffalo skins, teepees and tin can lanterns, Stephanie said.
The campers even learned some ballroom dancing for one scene in the musical.
Children in the Columbia County Arts Camp at Lewiston Elementary School pose for a group photo after a recent practice.
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"I am so impressed with what these kids have done," said Maria Elsner, the camp drama coach and drama and dance teacher at Garrett Elementary School.
After the success of their inaugural camp, organizers said they hope to hold another one next summer.
Stephanie said she enjoyed every activity of the weeklong camp.
"(I loved) all of it," she said. "I just can't choose (a favorite)."