In the News: Dramafest returns after year hiatus

The theater day camp for children in grades K-8 will be held Saturday at the high school

With no full-fledged theater programs at any of the Newberg School District’s elementary and middle schools, younger students in the area often have little to no experience when they reach Newberg High School.

That’s why volunteer Kathleen Jones partnered with the high school four years ago to create Dramafest, a day camp for students in grades K-8 that culminates in a short play following the final performance of NHS’ annual Tournament of Plays.

Due to medical reasons, Jones was unable to host the camp last year, but said she is thrilled to bring it back from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday.

“It’s an opportunity for younger students, under ninth grade, to get exposure to performing arts,” Jones said. “This can be a time for them to learn about acting — sometimes we incorporate some singing — and that’s a great beginning for them to really have a strong experience.”

The camp is designed to be fun and engaging, beginning with a variety of activities and games to help kids get comfortable being in a group and the unfamiliar and potentially intimidating space of the high school theater.

Depending on the ages and number of participants, Jones prepares two different plays, which feature a variety of parts and casts in a non-threatening way. Those that want to audition for bigger roles (up to about 10 lines) will do that early on, while those that don’t take a tour of the high school instead.

While Jones oversees the camp, most of the instruction will be done by NHS students, giving them the chance to develop leadership, teaching and organizational skills, an important component of the camp.

“They enjoy sharing,” NHS drama teacher Drea Ferguson said of her students. “They want to let the kids play with costumes and put makeup on. They enjoy having the little kids around. It’s a lot of fun watching them interact with the kids.”

In addition to learning from the high school thespians, participants will get a bit of a behind-the-scenes look at the NHS program, but also get to do all the same things they do, like get in full costume and makeup.

“That’s a fun experience for the kids, as well, to actually feel like they’re really getting ready to go on stage for a show,” Jones said. “We have a tech crew that works with us because we will have sound effects and a closing song. They work with us very quickly during that five hours to put on the best show possible for these kids.”

Participants will also get the chance to watch the first two Tournament of Plays pieces, beginning at 7 p.m., as each class at the high school performs for judges and the audience’s vote for best play, before heading back stage to prepare.

The camp’s play will follow the final play of the day, by the seniors, during which time the judges’ and audience’s votes will be tabulated to determine a winner.

Drawing both young students and their parents to the Tournament of Plays is the third major component of the camp, as it brings more exposure to the high school program.

“So it’s really a connection at every level community wise because it involves the younger students, the high school students and the community at large,” Jones said. “Then it’s also a fundraiser, so it just seems to us to be a really wonderful way for everything to come together in a once-a-year experience.”

Cost is $25 and students are asked to bring a lunch, snack and water bottle. Registration is available the morning of the camp, but to help Jones prepare, parents are asked to make reservations by calling her at 503-899-2450 or emailing her at jones.5@hotmail.com.

Registration forms are also available at the NHS main office or online in the E-Friday Folder of the district website (www.newberg.k12.or.us).

Written by Seth Gordon, Newberg Graphic