Children come together to learn the basics at Theater Boot Camp

The question Missy Klippert asked was: Who wants to walk on the big ball first?

But, hearing the response from the corps of aspiring actors, dancers and singers, the question just as easily could have been: Who wants front-row tickets to the Jonas Brothers concert following a dinner of all-you-can-eat ice cream and gifts afterward of designer cell phones with unlimited texting accounts?

Then, as the kids took their turns on the ball -- as well as on the stilts, and tossing around juggling balls with each other -- it was clear that Winchester Cultural Center's summertime Theater Boot Camp was again in session.

The camp, sponsored by Clark County Parks and Recreation for kids ages 6 to 16, teaches acting, singing, dancing and other theatrical and performance skills, from making sets to finding props to writing. This year's camp began June 9 and runs through Aug. 14. It concludes the evenings of Aug. 14 and 15, when the students display their newfound skills in a grand finale show.

This is the fourth summer for the camp, which is directed by Winchester Players Director Susan Swanson and her brother, Christopher Swanson. This year, however, a few new courses have been added to the curriculum.

There are writing classes, where kids will learn literary basics that will help them in their theatrical careers. And, there are classes in circus skills and magic, both of which will be useful in performing this year's circus-themed musical finale.

For campers who already know at least a bit about acting, singing and dancing, the new additions are cause for wide-eyed enthusiasm. As circus teacher Klippert demonstrates how stilts work, one student asks, marveling, "Are we going to do that?'

"We're all gonna do that," Klippert replies.

It's as good a time as any. Not only do students bring to boot camp fearless energy but minds "like a sponge," Susan Swanson says. "They come in and absorb (skills)."

"They really want to work" she adds, and, "at the end, my gosh, they become great performers."

But make no mistake: The Swansons and their counselors take boot camp seriously and expect their students to do the same.

"You have the whole audience here. No one's going to hear you," Susan tells the cast after one run-through of a musical number.

Christopher, to a group of still-chattering kids behind the curtain: "Places means places. You know that."

And Christopher, after a somewhat ragged number: "You guys are better than that. You know you are."

But there's also praise for jobs well done. After another run-through, Christopher offers a simple, "Lovely." "Susan and I are professionals. "89We've been doing this a long time," he explains. "So it's not like the kids come in here and play patty-cake."

Rather, Christopher says, the focus is on teaching real-life theatrical and performing skills. In fact, Susan regularly works with agents and casting directors and, for some participants, boot camp could well be the first step toward an actual performing career.

Some students already have a few credits under their belts. Lauryn Shelley, 9, already has had parts in the NBC soap "Passions" and a film, "Thor at the Bus Stop."

But, she says, "I'm not really good at dancing." So, Lauryn says boot camp not only is fun, but gives her a chance to learn a few more theatrical skills that could come in handy someday.

Gianni Cardinale, 8, appears in Steve Wyrick's magic show and calls acting "very exciting and fun." But he, too, looks forward to learning how to dance and is confident of the Swansons' ability to teach him.

Gianni's brother, Santino, 10, also performs professionally, in the musical "Love." He likes boot camp "because you can make new friends" and because he enjoys "all the things we do," including singing "olden time songs" such as those by Elvis Presley.

But not everybody is -- at least not yet -- a working professional. Adam Lauer-Overby, 7, who will play a magician in the show, enthusiastically demonstrates a magic trick he learned at boot camp.

He holds a wand over a small black box, says "Alakazam!" with firm conviction and, boom, a flower appears.

Cool. How long did it take him to learn the trick? "Oh, just about one minute," Adam answers.

Adam, who is attending his third boot camp, says he enjoys "acting and learning." His dad, Gary Overby, says that, so far, Adam has expressed no theatrical aspirations beyond having fun.

But, he continues, "what I've found that occurs when he goes to these camps is that it gives him much more confidence in himself, it makes him a very good public speaker, it gives him a different perspective on life."

The Swansons, he adds, "really love what it is they do. They have a passion about the success of each and every child."

Susan notes, too, that participants enjoy "the camaraderie they share with each other, because it's like a big family. Every cast will be like an extension of one's family. They care about one another and make it work."

And how about those campers who, ahem, bring less talent to boot camp than others?

"We get them up there anyway, and by the end they're in the show," Susan answers, smiling. "Nobody escapes, believe me. Nobody escapes."

Contact reporter John Przybys at jprzybys@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0280.