Opera and pirates fill the Playhouse

August 12, 2016

The new sold-out summer theatre camp for kids has launched, under the direction of creative director Dianne Winmill and the theatre is filled with excited kids learning to sign, dance and act. These future stars have five days to learn their lines, moves and get their pirate pitch right for two special performances on Saturday, Aug. 13 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. as part of the It Takes a Village Summer Camp. If you’re interested in finding a summer camp for your children to participate in and get active over summer, look into the various summer camps such as Camp North Star and others that could be local to you!

Winmill says the Pirate Musical will be a blast.

“It’s a mini-musical and a variety show, all performed by young people ages eight to 12,” she explains. “This is infectious enthusiasm at its best.”

That enthusiasm is what is getting the Playhouse team through an incredibly busy summer season that has nine live productions, films and the summer camp project filling the building with joy.

“I’m thankful for the air conditioning,” Brough laughs. “It’s been non-stop work but to see the joy and to hear the positive comments – it’s worth the effort.”

The effort this week includes two TIFF film screenings of the British hit, Sing Street, and on Friday night music fans will be treated to a one-night booking with the Highlands Opera Studio when they bring Opera to Broadway to Bancroft.

“We booked the opera company during the summer camp so that we would encourage the younger talent to check out the show. All the campers get tickets and we hope this will inspire them in the future,” Brough explains.

Highlands Opera studio manager Melissa Stephens is enjoying being part of the excitement. She says her traveling production will really grab the attention of music fans.

“The participants in the Highlands Opera Studio will present some of the best loved works from the world of opera and the musical stage,” Stephens says.

So for Brough, Winmill and Stephens it’s going to be a busy week of inspiration and collaboration. For the young stars, the musical talent from the Highlands Opera Studio and for all of those who attend the shows; it should be a hard to forget week of great arts programming.

The Highlands Opera Studio presents Opera to Broadway at the Village Playhouse on Friday, Aug. 12 at 8 p.m. Pirates the Musical, offers two shows on Saturday, Aug. 13 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tickets for all shows are available at Harvest Moon, Posies, Hospice House, The Playhouse box office, Brush with the North and online at www.boxofficebancroft.com. Playhouse productions proudly support the caring through culture movement that is growing in Bancroft.

Submitted