The Prairie Arts Council is pleased to announce registration for the 11th annual Children’s Summer Drama Camp for children entering second through ninth grades. Camp runs for three hours, Monday-Friday, for two weeks. Two camp sessions will run June 10-21, one from 9 a.m. to noon and one from 2 to 5 p.m. There will also be a morning camp running July 8-19 if there is sufficient interest. The camp cost is $85 with special rates for siblings. Need-based scholarships are also available upon request for those who meet the criteria.

Each camp session culminates in the performance (noon and 5 p.m. June 21 and noon on July 19) of an original play written specifically for the campers and, to a large extent, tailored to the needs and abilities of the campers. Previous camp productions include “Cinderella,” “The Perfect Princess” (also known as “A Mixed-Up Fairy Tale” and “The Prince and the Pen Pal”), “The Evil of the Atkins Diet,” “The Best-est Summer Ever” (also known as “Picture This” and “Going Through the Frame: The Jour-ney to Enilef”), and “Fish Out of Water: A Nautical Story” (also known as “A Mermaid’s Tale”). Campers in each session of camp name their own production. Children get the hands-on experience of creating a show, from set and light work to costuming to performing.

Past guest speakers have included Dave Roden, who shared his knowledge of theatrical accents, sets, and Shakespeare; Angela Winger, costuming; Jan Seeds, stage make-up; Norm Engstrom of IVCC for mime; members of the IVCC comedy improv team; Stephen Kwiatek for choreography for the stage; Matt Boehm for stage lighting and design; Dane Suarez for musical theater and opera; and Nick Umbdenstock and Steve Brown, who teach safe stage combat. Camp activities also include theater and improvisational games like you might see on the television show “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” and good, old-fashioned “camp” games like Telephone. Snacks are served daily.

Children’s theater programming at PAC has always been about more than just theater skills. We strive to offer a safe, wholesome environment in which children can learn, grow, and have fun. Fostering the growth of our community’s children is the greatest benefit of PAC children’s theater programming.