Theater Camp was held June 13th - June 24th in partnership with The Herberger Theater Center held at the center. The theme and title of this year’s camp was “I Was I Am I Will Be”. 

Twenty-five teens from eight local group homes, shelters and residential treatment facilities participated in this two-week intensive camp. During the course of these two weeks, teens worked with professional artists and Free Arts staff to create a performance piece expressing personal stories about digging deep within ourselves to overcome the past and find optimism about our futures. Using multiple theater techniques, Co- Directors, Charlie Steak and Xanthia Walker introduced the teens to theatrical “forms” and then collaborated with them to decide how to use these forms to tell each of their stories. Music Specialist, Frank Thompson taught percussion and assisted the teens in creating music for the band, solos and underscoring their performance. Visual Artist, Kris Kollasch worked with the teens to create large self-portraits that hung behind the performers during the show.

The resulting performance was a very moving and powerful production. Youth expressed stories of surviving abuse, drug addictions, loss of family, pursuing their chosen career and being removed from their families by using poetry, music, movement and storytelling. Audience members remarked that the performance helped them understand, not only the trauma that these young people have endured, but the strength that they possess.

On their evaluation forms, the youth at theater camp expressed that they enjoyed the opportunity to come together in a safe environment, to meet new people and share their stories. They also reflected on how powerful it was to explore who they were, are and want to become in the future. When asked what they learned at Theater Camp youth stated things like:
“That there was other teens exactly like me!”
“My life isn’t as bad; people have it worse than me”
“I learned I am a very creative person that is strong willed”
“I learned to become better with people”
“I learned I like to work with other kids”
“I learned I am outgoing and spontaneous”
“I learned the other side of me”
“I learned that I could do things that I never thought I could do”

Additionally, the teens were asked what was best about Theater Camp.
95% said meeting new and other teens, 92% acting on stage and 85% working with the staff and touring of the theater.