NEW MUSICAL THEATRE CAMP COLLABORATION BETWEEN NEW JERSEY YOUTH THEATRE AND FANWOOD-SCOTCH PLAINS YMCA

This coming summer, for the first time, the New Jersey Youth Theatre (NJYT), one of the most critically acclaimed youth-theatre companies in the State of New Jersey, identified as a major training ground for young talent, will join in partnership with the Fanwood/Scotch Plains YMCA to offer a musical theatre camp for young performing artists ages 8 – 14.  Participants will have the opportunity to work with experienced directors to present a colorful, rousing production of Once on This Island, (junior version), a highly original musical adaption of Hans Christian Anderson’s popular tale, The Little Mermaid.  Camp dates are Monday, June 23 – Friday, August 1 from 9 AM -12 PM Mondays through Friday, with a performance on August 1. 

The plot of Once on This Island centers around Ti Moune, a poor peasant girl who falls in love with Daniel, a wealthy boy from the other side of the island.  When Daniel is returned to his people, the ruling gods guide Ti Moune on a quest to test the strength of her love against the powerful forces of prejudice.  The show is presented in a singing and dance/movement-driven style reminiscent of story theatre.  The catchy, contemporary musical score was written by the award-winning team of Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty (Ragtime, Seussical) and the show won eight Tony nominations.

To explain this particular camp’s logistics and details to parents and their kids, a Once on This Island workshop will be held on Saturday, April 26, 2014 from 12 PM – 1 PM at the Fanwood/Scotch Plains YMCA, 1340 Martine Avenue in Scotch Plains.

For more information and to register, contact Jenny Logus at the Fanwood/Scotch Plains YMCA (908) 889-8880 or at jlogus@fspymca.org. Space is limited.

The Y is the nation’s leading nonprofit committed to strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. For information on membership or programs, or to request a schedule of classes, please call the Fanwood-Scotch Plains YMCA at (908) 889-8880 or visit the Y’s website at www.fanwoodscotchplainsymca.org.  Financial assistance is available for those who qualify.