Cottrill’s Opera House is sponsoring two weeklong theater day camps for Tucker County kids this summer, focusing on the theatrical art form known as vaudeville. The camps will be held on August 3-7 (for kids entering 3rd, 4th and 5th grades) and August 10-14 (for upcoming 6th, 7th and 8th graders) at the Davis Community Center. The camps are free of charge and are being underwritten by Cottrill’s Opera House. The deadline to apply is May 15.
The camps are being led by longtime performer Diana Vera assisted by Juli Kimbrell and Al Schneider, the powerhouse theater duo in Thomas known as Common Productions.
Common Productions is the outcome of a yearslong collaboration between Kimbrell and Schneider, who have produced numerous theater projects in Tucker County. Together with Vera they form an ensemble troupe that has performed at various venues in downtown Thomas.
Campers will learn about all aspects of performance theater, including vocal warmups, acting techniques, character design and comic timing. They will design their own makeup and costumes, handle props, create sets, and practice choreography and song.
Each student will have a vaudeville character to present at the end of the week in a showcase performance on Friday at noon. Parents will be welcome to attend.
Cottrill’s Opera House, currently under renovation in downtown Thomas, began as a vaudeville house when it was built in 1902. Before the advent of radio and television, vaudeville was a popular form of “clean” entertainment for families. A typical vaudeville show featured multiple short acts, including singers, dancers, comedians, jugglers and acrobats.
Many famous performers got their start in vaudeville, including Bob Hope, Cary Grant, the Marx Brothers and the Three Stooges.
In the early days of Thomas and Davis, Cottrill’s Opera House brought such entertainment to workers and their families. Eventually vaudeville waned, and the Opera House became a venue for silent films and early talkies. It was then sold to the Sutton family and became a movie theater. Many local residents have fond memories of watching first-run movies there.
Though the historic building is under renovation and not currently usable, the Cottrill’s Opera House board of directors decided not to wait to sponsor the camp.
“We have an educational mission to bring performing arts to Tucker County kids,” said Dave Esch, President of Cottrill’s Opera House. “Someday we will have a beautiful performing hall here that will be safe and fully accessible to everyone. Even though we’re not there yet, we decided to move ahead. There are many talented kids in our area and we want to give them a chance to perform, and to be taught by professionals. The team of Common Productions has years of experience teaching and performing. We’re lucky to have them and we want to share their talents with the community.”
Registration for the camp is limited. To apply go to cottrillsoperahouse.org/camp.