Orrville Theater Company to offer summer acting and dance camps

After 11 successful years of theater productions, the Orrville Community Theater will introduce an acting and dance camp this summer.

“We’re very excited to be bringing this to young theater lovers in our area,” said Shelly Rayborn, an actor/director and one of the summer camp teachers. “This is our debut of the camp, and we’d like to do it every year.”

Rayborn said the Orrville Community Theater’s goal is “to keep live theater alive.”

Rayborn recently directed “The Story of the Nutcracker” for the Orrville Community Theater and has a long background in the theater. She has been heavily involved in theater since high school and since then has been an active member — both as an actor and director — of the Canal Fulton Players for four years before coming to Orrville.

“My favorite roles with the Canal Fulton Players were ‘Father of the Bride’ (with her playing the part of Mrs. Banks) and ‘The Importance of Being Earnest’ (Gwendolyn),” she said.

Rayborn became involved with the Orrville Community Theater when she played Lady Catherine deBourgh in “Pride and Prejudice.” She also starred in “Arsenic and Old Lace,” playing Aunt Martha.

“I have experience as both a public and school librarian, so I think I am particularly able to work with children,” she said.

Rayborn is excited for this opportunity to work in furthering children’s theater skills, knowledge and experience.

Rayborn will be joined with Samuel Gonzalez in the acting camp. Gonzalez most recently directed “Arsenic and Old Lace” for the Orrville Community Theater.

“Samuel has a vast knowledge of theater and is the perfect complement to me,” Rayborn said.

Gonzalez, who was home-schooled, found his passion beginning with pubic speaking. In 2013 he was cast in his first show, “A Christmas Carol,” playing the role of Bob Cratchet.

“I started with OTC in 2015. I also have experience with WaCPAC (Wayne County Performing Arts Council), so I think that will be valuable in helping apply my experience with the campers,” he said.

Gonzalez volunteered in collaborating a one-act play as part of the final performance of “The Stone in the Road.” He also has done stage design.

“I hope the kids get confidence on stage through our camps,” Gonzalez said, “and move on to other local theaters.”

Valerie Billard will teach the dance component of the summer camp.

“We’re really excited to have Valerie on board, as ballet is the basis of lots of dance,” Rayborn said.

Billard did the choreography for Orville Community Theater’s recent production of “The Nutcracker.”

“Valerie has six or seven years of experience, and some of the kids in the summer camp will already be familiar with her,” Rayborn said.

Some of the areas of emphasis in the summer camp will include improvisation, characterization, theater as an overview, the craft itself, approaching a script, and how to interact and play off of each other, according to Rayborn.

Rayborn said the summer camp was her idea. “I’m an ideas lady,” she said, “and I’m just grateful our board supported this idea.”

The camp is for children age 8-16. It will be held every Saturday from June 2 through July 28. Acting camp is from 10 a.m. to noon, and dance camp is from 1-3 p.m. Campers doing both components will need to bring a sack lunch. The ninth week will end the program with a production or recital. Ballet shoes are a requirement for the dance component.

Fees for the camps are $135 for each camp or $225 for both the acting and dance camps. This will include T-shirts and a graduation ceremony.

Deadline for registration is May 25, and additional paperwork will need to be completed the first day of camp. Registrants may print out a copy of the registration form off the group’s Facebook page (m.facebook.com/orrvillecommunityplayers) and mail it to 307 Hostetler Road in Orrville or register online and pay by PayPal. Questions may be directed to orrvilleplayers@gmail.com.