Tucker County kids recently got a chance to show off their talents while having fun at two one-week summer camps sponsored by Cottrill’s Opera House. The camps’ theme was “All Aboard the Vaudeville Train,” a tribute to Cottrill’s history as a vaudeville house. The kids were introduced to all aspects of performing arts: music, dance, scene design, costume and acting. They learned about the history of vaudeville and Cottrill’s Opera House, and its importance to the workers who lived surrounding Thomas.
They showed what they learned in showcase performances at the end of the week. These were not standard performances where kids recited lines from a play.
Working in teams, the young actors created their own characters, designed their costumes and wrote their own short skits. Acts included a dancing Granny, a joke-telling dog who played “Ode to Joy” on piano and a clueless phone addict. There were mimes, a bad cat who performed amazing stunts, a band of old-time miners, a klutzy dancing troupe and a Laurel and Hardy-style musical duo that wasn’t exactly in sync. The kids created their costumes from a trove of props and accessories such as fake beards and mustaches and various styles of hats.
The camp was directed by Diana Vera with help from theater artists Juli Kimbrell and Al Schneider. The threesome performs in Thomas as Common Productions and has many years of professional experience in writing, directing, acting and teaching. From the first day Vera was impressed by the young performers’ creativity and enthusiasm. “I learned so much working with these kids, especially how hungry they are for theater as a way to express themselves. We need a space where they can learn and perform and when Cottrill’s Opera House is finished we’ll have it.”
Children’s theater is an important stepping stone for professional performers. Actress Jennifer Garner got her start in children’s theater. The West Virginian has often credited her career to the exposure she received acting as a child in Charleston, W.Va., and continues to have strong ties with the state.
Cottrill’s Board President David Esch echoed how a rebuilt Cottrill’s Opera House will benefit children in the area. “This camp is something we’ve wanted to do for some time now, to show the community how valuable the performing arts can be to young people. It was free and open to all Tucker County students in grades 3-8 and was funded in part by a grant. One of our core interests is to support K-12 education. We have a very skillful group of theater professionals living here and this project supports them while exposing children to performance. We hope to do it next year, too, having learned some lessons that will make it even better.”
Esch noted the project was supported with financial assistance from the West Virginia Department of Tourism and the National Endowment for the Arts, with approval from the West Virginia Commission on the Arts. The matching grant helped to buy props, costumes and supplies and to pay for salaries. “It was a key to our success,” he said. “This donation, and the community support we have received for the camp, show we’re on the right track,” he said. The camp was originally slated to be held at the Davis Community Center, but plumbing issues required a last-minute switch to the Thomas Community Center. Despite the move the show went on as scheduled. “We are so grateful for the support we receive from both towns. These communities have been wonderful to work with.”
