Finding Dreams at Wolf Performing Arts Center

Wolf Performing Arts Center (Wolf PAC) has partnered with local Ardmore author Nahjee Grant for its Summer Theatre Camp program.

Campers in rising kindergarten through second grade (CUBs) who are signed up for the June 24-29 camp session will perform an adapted version of Grant’s book Where Did My Dream Go?

“The opportunity to partner with Nahjee and further our mission of providing theater to the community is so exciting,” said Camp Director Betsy Wolf Regn, “it's a logical collaboration since our CUBs season is Storybook Theatre; what better way to create a script than by adapting a fabulous children's story?”

The CUBS Storybook Theatre theme is based off local authors’ books as well as familiar stories such as The Frog King, Goldilocks, and The Princess and the Pea. Each one-week session will culminate in a review-style performance in Wolf PAC’s fully air conditioned performance space for family and friends.

“This avenue is a perfect way to connect with other people in the community,” said Regn, “it’s a local collaboration and we hope to continue building relationships and discover new and creative ways to use the power of theatre.”

As far as bringing communities together goes, Grant believes his book has a universal message and will inspire all who read it. “The lesson behind this story is that everything you need to be successful is already inside of you and when you have a dream that is worth pursuing, don’t let fear stop you from chasing it,” said Grant.

Grant said he realized his own dream of becoming an author while he was in elementary school, though he struggled to stick to it. “Through my transition years in middle school I lost my way academically and the dream began to disappear. When I had to make a choice about my future one of the questions I asked myself was where did my dream go? I wrote [this] short story based on that question.”

Grant found his dream and has since become the author of several children’s educational books. He spends his time speaking to local schools and empowering children to pursue their dreams.

“Since Nahjee is involved in so many children's organizations, it is fabulous that we are able to connect. The heart of both of our missions is the desire to offer a safe, inclusive environment for all,” said Regn.

Grant will be in attendance during the performance of his book on June 29 and Regn hopes to hold a question-and-answer session for the students leading up to the show.

“I’m so excited I cannot wait to watch it,” said Grant, “to see your literary work being acted out on stage is a huge honor. I know the kids will put on a wonderful performance.”

Wolf PAC’s program for rising 3rd-8th grade (PAC) campers offers one-week and two-week sessions. Two-week sessions feature two different casts of campers who perform fully-staged Junior Broadway musicals at the end of the second week. The musicals this season are The Music Man Jr, Disney’s The Little Mermaid Jr, Getting to know…Once Upon a Mattress, and Disney’s Aladdin Jr. Themes for one-week sessions are Broadway Through Time and Movie Musicals.

Wolf PAC’s HIGH school program offers high school students two-week sessions throughout the summer. They split their day evenly between enhancing their performance skills and working with the younger campers as Counselors-in-Training (CITs). They are mentored by a professional staff of Teaching Artists and, as CITs, will lend their experience and talents to help in rehearsals, activities throughout the camp day, and run the technical aspects of each performance.

“Wolf PAC has a great reputation throughout the community and I’m honored to know the staff behind the scenes that help make a lot of dreams come true for children through the arts,” said Grant. “Wolf PAC is a treasure worth supporting and preserving to ensure the next generation has a platform to showcase their early talent”

To find more information on Summer Theatre Camp visit http://www.wolfperformingartscenter.org/content/camp-summer-stock-0