Behind the Scenes at Theater Camp (Video)

They’ve taken positions from the auditorium to the cafeteria and even the halls in between, and with each group of youngsters comes the sound of singing and the sight of dancing.

“It’s just so much fun,” said Jordan Taha, a sixth-grader attending this year’s Summer Theater Camp run by the township Division of Recreation. “I have such a good time and we’re always laughing.”

This year, the Summer Theater Camp is celebrating 52 years of showing young people some of the tricks of the trade from the theater world. From choreography to acting, to music, to behind the scenes stuff, the camp allows students to get a nice taste of the many aspects of theater. Just ask its counselors, many of whom attended the camp when they were younger and pursued careers in theater as they got older.

“You very rarely leave,” said Assistant Director Phil Solomon. “If the kids see our commitment, then they get the same sense of commitment. I try to share that feeling with all the staff. This is the best staff I’ve seen in years.”

Fellow counselor Lauren Raguette agreed. “This is my second year, and when I was here they we put 100 percent into it. Now we can give it back. This is my 11^th year, we’re not leaving.”

Solomon, who also is a dancer, actor and model and has done work with Playhouse 22, said the staff is emotionally invested in the camp and tries to stress to students the power of performance.

“It’s about them on stage, and how their performance can turn an audience member’s day around,” he said. “We make sure each kid has a special moment like that while they’re here.”

Tyler Pelton, who was preparing for his first role of the summer a few weeks ago, said he loves his co-actors.

“Everybody’s nice here, the counselors are nice and they always welcome you,” he said.

Fellow student Griffin O’Connor, attending his third year of camp, said memories of the roles he’s played are what he’ll take with him when camp ends.

“My favorite part was probably in my first year, when I was the giant (in Jack and the Beanstalk),” he said.

This year, students performed “The Plight of Princess Penelope,” “Talent Town USA,” “Sinbad,” “Snow White” and “Pearl of the Firegod.” All the performances were recorded and shown on EBTV, which is seen on Comcast Channel 3 and FiOS Channel 37. Remaining showings include “Snow White,” on Thursday, July 28, at 8 p.m. and Sunday, July 31, at 4 p.m.; and “Pearl of the Firegod,” Tuesday, Aug. 2, at 2 p.m.; Thursday, Aug. 4, at 8 p.m.; and Sunday, Aug. 7, at 4 p.m.

Marathon performances will run as follows: Sunday, Aug. 14, “The Plight of Princess Penelope,” 1 p.m.; “Talent Town,” 2 p.m.; “Sinbad,” 3 p.m.; “Snow White,” 4 p.m.; and “Pearl of the Firegod,” 5 p.m. In addition, visit www.ebtv3.org and watch the performances on the station’s On Demand option.