Children's summer theater camp
Peacock Pride

Many years ago, Eloise Wolfersteig, a local patron of the performing arts, envisioned a summer school for area children to learn about the theatre.

Today her dream is a reality, thanks to the Licklog Players at the Peacock Playhouse in Hayesville. Each summer the Playhouse offers two one-week summer "camps" to children who have an interest in the theatre.

Called Peacock Pride, the program involves a week of 1.2 day classes taught by qualified teachers. The weekly "camps" feature different themes of drama and musicals as a way of teaching the young would-be artists. They sing, dance and act while gaining a general knowledge of what's involved in theatrical productions. At week's end, on Friday at 11:00 a.m., they're ready to show what they've learned by performing in front of their proud parents.

Shakespeare was the first week's theme of this year's summer camp, which ended June 22. The play, billed as P.T. is not a Cruiser, was based on A Midsummer Night's Dream, and featured an aspiring Grecian cast of 20 ranging in age from 8 to 17.

The youngsters performed well under the direction of Laurel Adams, former Hollywood actress, who has just retired as the head of the Department of the Performing Arts at Murphy High School. Her sister, Bev Larson, a wellknown performer in regional community theatre, choreographed the dance routines. Costumes and props were arranged by Kay Poole and Trish Reynolds.

The next Peacock Pride camp in July 9-13 and will feature a Fabulous Fables theme.