"Camp Pure Imagination" theme for Stageworks 2008

Campers for the RHS drama department's Stageworks 2008 program were, from left: Front -- Gracyn Robinson, Ashlyn Mills, Sarah Robinson, Colton Lindsey and Sophie Simmons. Second row -- Cutter Davis, Hannah Huggins, Avery Bucy, Dominique Coln and Emily Huggins. Third row -- Lydia Bucy, Alex Green, Haven Cagle, Kade Scott, Amy DeMent and Lyric Martinez. Back row -- Madalyn Crittenden, Brittini Huggins, Kylee Beshears, Alec Scott, Madison Cate, Lora Beck and Hadleigh Watson. (Democrat photo/Nancy Kemp) [Click to enlarge]

The imaginations of 23 children were awakened and challenged in the Rector High School drama department's Stageworks 2008, which followed the theme "Camp Pure Imagination."

In five days of classes, the children, ages kindergarten through sixth grade, were introduced to the department's fall 2008 show "Willy Wonka Jr." with the songs and dances "Think Positive," "The Candy Man," "Oompa-Loompa 3" and "Finale."

Campers took tests in economics, studied stage projection and stage directions and were encouraged to let their artistic creativity soar with their own creations of the chocolate factory rooms.

Top Stageworks Camper Madison Cate [Click to enlarge]

Each of four age groups participated in technical challenges including knot tying, roll drop, costume change and prop changes. Students learned to invest in the stock market and how to make good choices at an auction.

"Learning to get along with a group and to perform in front of an audience is the best learning experience of all," said director Gail Burns.

Campers included:

Group 1 -- Colton Lindsey, Ashlyn Mills, Gracyn Robinson, Sarah Robinson and Sophie Simmons.

Group 2 -- Avery Bucy, Dominique Coln, Emily Huggins, Hannah Huggins and Cutter Davis.

Group 3 -- Lydia Bucy, Madalyn Crittenden, Alex Green, Brittni Huggins and Kade Scott.

Group 4 -- Lora Beck, Kylee Beshears, Haven Cagle, Amy DeMent, Lyric Martinez, Alec Scott, Hadleigh Watson and Madison Cate.

A show Friday afternoon which concluded the camp featured a slideshow of the week, "The Candy Man" performed by the entire cast, tech challenge demonstrations, several monologues and performance of two Stageworks poems, written by participants.

In a presentation of awards at the conclusion of the show, Madison Cate, daughter of Cam and Sherry Cate, was named Top Camper 2008, an honor chosen by the entire program staff. She received a U.S. Mint set, provided by Liberty Bank, and a DVD of "Charlie and The Chocolate Factory."

Alec Scott received the Newcomer award, and Lyric Martinez won an award for Best Returning Camper. Sophie Simmons received an award for Most Enthusiastic Camper.

Other award winners were:

Most Improved Economics -- Ashley Mills, Emily Huggins, Lydia Bucy, Lora Beck and Hadleigh Watson.

High Scores Economics -- Avery Bucy, Hadleigh Watson, Lydia Bucy, Emily Huggins, Lora Beck, Madison Cate, Dominique Coln, Haven Cagle, Ashlyn Mills, Sarah Robinson and Gracyn Robinson.

Stock Market Best Investment -- Sarah Robinson, who accumulated 856 gold tickets.

Poetry -- Colton Lindsey, Cutter Davis, Brittni Huggins and Kylee Beshears.

Poetry Performance Certificates -- Gracyn Robinson and Avery Bucy.

Basic Acting -- Sarah Robinson, Dominique Coln, Alex Green and Madison Cate.

Dance -- Sarah Robinson, Emily Huggins, Hannah Huggins, Alex Green and Kylee Beshears.

Music -- Sarah Robinson, Avery Bucy, Kade Scott, Amy DeMent and Alec Scott.

Stage -- Sarah Robinson, Emily Huggins, Alex Green and Haven Cagle.

Tech Challenge -- Costume change, Group 3; knot tying, Group 4, and drop fold and property change, Group 2.

Arts and crafts -- Gracyn Robinson, Hannah Huggins, Madalyn Crittenden and Madison Cate.

Members of the Stageworks staff were:

Director -- Gail Burns.

Music director -- Judy Hargrave.

Choreographer -- Amber Powell.

Director's assistant -- Amanda Layer.

Advanced acting -- Whitney Conley.

Basic acting -- Amanda Layer.

Dance -- Amber Powell, Ashley Williams and Gabriele Haney.

Music -- Judy Hargrave, Jake Hollis and Miranda Weaver.

Stagecraft and props -- Abie Petty, Breanna Benson and Tara Owens.

Program -- Miranda Weaver and Jake Hollis.

Economics -- Whitney Conley, Amanda Layer and Zac Whiteside.

Canteen -- Alex Roofe and Melissa Weaver.

Stage production -- Rev. Roger Armstrong.

Set design -- Rick Chudomelka.

Sound -- Alex Roofe and Melissa Weaver.

Tech challenge -- Alex Roofe, Melissa Weaver, Misty Hall and Bailey Buck.

Lighting -- Gabriele Haney, Bailey Buck and Breanna Benson.

Slide show -- Whitney Conley, Misty Hall and Miranda Weaver.