When summer rolls around, it might seem the like the number of activities for kids is endless. The Not So Common Kids Camp in Clifton Park however, is an experience that is far from common.
The Not So Common Players theater group, whose goal it is to “provide quality musical theater to the residents of the Capital Region”, has sponsored the camp since last year. In its first year, the camp hosted 40 children, this year they plan to grow to 50.
The theater troupe is open to town residents of all ages and has been a part of the community since 2002. The camp is open to children ages 8 to 14 and offers both on and off-stage opportunities to campers. Tuition for the camp is $400 and runs from July 2 through 21 from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. A production of “Annie Jr.” will cap off the camp on July 20 and 21.
Jill Ross has been a board member with the Not So Common Players since last year, and involved with the organization since 2009. She said that her favorite part about being involved with organization is “providing people an opportunity to be involved in the performing arts”.
“Whether that’s as a performer, part of the production team or audience member, that’s what community theater is about. Not So Common Kids provides these opportunities to kids, and gives them the skills and confidence they need to keep theater as a part of their life,` she said.
David Rossi, a music and chorus teacher in the Schenectady City School District has been a volunteer with the Not So Common Players for the last several years. He said the fact that the program for this summer’s camp is nearly full, “speaks well to the program”.
Rossi believes music can help all children, no matter where their skills may lie. He sees music as an “outlet” for kids and while some may not excel in math or science, music may just be “a place for them to excel”.
“It helps tap into their creative side… If we didn’t have creativity in the world, where would we be? The arts are vital and the goal is to educate,” he said.
A typical day for campers includes a morning of how to go about the auditioning process. The skills learned in this portion are invaluable for kids who audition with other venues. Afternoons are set up for learning a specific activity like singing, makeup or dancing. For these lessons, the camp brings in professional choreographers.
Not only are the performing arts explored at the camp, but behind-the-scenes aspects of theater including lighting and sound make it into the lesson plans. Both Ross and Rossi agree that giving kids the chance to participate in any of these aspects is important in making a full experience in theater.
The camp operates in part with some help from the Town of Clifton Park, such as camper registration.
“We’re very fortunate…our group is expanding and without the help of the town we’d have a hard time pulling it all together,” said Rossi.
To help a couple of campers on the financial end, the camp has been awarded a grant from Stewart’s Holiday Match. The grant makes possible two scholarships of $125 each to be applied to the camp fee. Applications are available at the Clifton Park Town Clerk’s Office, or online at notsocommonplayers.org, the deadline for submission is Friday June 8.
For more information on the Not So Common Players or Not So Common Kids Camp, visit notsocommonplayers.org
