The Sun is Shining on Media Theatre with 'Hair' Teen Camp

The following was written by The Media Theatre's summer PR Intern, Miss Amanda Jacobs. Amanda has appeared on our stage in previous "Delco Idol" contests and has been aware of the great work being done at The Media Theatre for the past several years. A student at Pennsylvania State University, she is an Advertising Major with Psychology Minor, residing at home in Aston when not in school. She has had a great deal of experience in the Public Relations field acquired through her positions as Publicity Chair for Penn State Advertising Club (AdClub) and Public Relations Assistant for Kappa Delta Sorority. Reporting and producing for Penn State’s Comradio for over a year has given her vast knowledge of every aspect of the media. 

Her press release regarding "Hair" Teen Summer Camp follows:

Hair is this summer’s topic of conversation for The Media Theatre. The show “Hair,” that is! The Media Theatre is now accepting registration from girls with curly locks to guys with straight spikes. This rock ‘n’ roll musical features classic songs such as “The Age of Aquarius” and “Let The Sun Shine In.”

This summer program is open to students who are ages 12 and up. The campers will work closely alongside the theatre’s professional designers, directors, and choreographers. Each individual performer will receive specialized instruction, with the rehearsals based on the same process used for The Media Theatre’s Broadway Series musicals. The camp begins June 17th with three weeks of rehearsals, followed by an additional five weekends of performances. Performances, along with the teen camp experience, will end July 12.

Registration is not reserved for only the well-seasoned thespians. This summer camp offers the opportunity for new performers to expand their theatre knowledge, as well as drama veterans to fine-tune their talents. It maintains the integrity of the musical “Hair”, leaving in most of the mature subject matter although one song has been deleted and there will be, of course, costumes used throughout. A few other lyrics will be changed here and there within the score, but the main element –the show’s message—will not be glossed over.

 “Hair” was a groundbreaking hit when it premiered in 1968, though it remains more relevant now than ever, according to Time magazine. The Media Theatre’s Artistic Director, Jesse Cline, selected this musical to bring the performers and audiences back to the groovy ‘60’s when the hippie counter-culture revolution was in full swing during the anti-war peace movement. It is an upbeat show which tells the story of a group of politically active, long-haired hippies living a bohemian life in New York City and fighting against conscription into the Vietnam War. Both the entertainers and audiences will be tapping their toes and rocking their hips to this legendary musical.

“A part of the mission of the Media Theatre is to educate as well as inspire young people in appreciation of the American tradition of musical theatre” said Jesse Cline, The Media Theatre’s Artistic Director. “The importance of exposing young people, specifically teenagers, to the issues and topics depicted in the classic “Hair” is to educate them about issues that were a part of our history.”

He continued, “We educate using the Sanford Meisner Technique at The Media Theatre. Acting is defined through the Meisner technique as 'living as truthfully as one can under imaginary circumstances.' Reality is reflected through the truth presented on the stage, even if the truth has not been experienced by the performers." 

 For more information, visit mediatheatre.org. You may register by calling the Media Theatre box office at 610-891-0100. Please email rer764@gmail.com with questions.