Holy Name Summer Theatre is Back with Vanilla Box Productions

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Jeffrey Starr, GoLocalWorcester Contributor

Rehearsal of last summer's production of "Seussical, Jr."

Vanilla Box Productions will be joining Holy Name Junior Senior High School to bring summer theatre back to Holy Name. Vanilla Box Productions Summer Musical Theatre Camp was formed by husband and wife team Joel and Christine Seger (HN ‘84) of Holden. The camp has been in residence at CCS Dance Academy in Holden since 2007 and is expanding its program to youngsters in Worcester.

According to Joel Seger, “Christine started performing in Summer Theater at Holy Name in 1982. I started performing with her "on the hill" in 1988. This eventually led to us working with the kids’ summer camp there. For us, being at Holy Name is returning to our roots. We have come home. “

Holy Name Headmaster Edward Reynolds is thrilled about the partnership. He says, “At Holy Name, we take great pride in our outstanding Fine Arts Department. We are excited to work with Vanilla Box Productions to re-establish the proud tradition of Summer Theater at Holy Name.”

Vanilla Box Productions

Building on the tradition of theatre at Holy Name, the Segers will lead daily morning classes in Music, Voice, Dance, and Theater Arts, and then conduct rehearsals every afternoon. Students will also learn about set construction, set painting, costumes and props. By the end of the camp, participating students will be able to put their hard work to good use with their very own performances of Wizard of Oz, Youth Performers Edition.

"It brings us great joy to see the young camper grow from the ensemble to a leading role. Even better, is witnessing the transformation from shy student to the kid that commands attention from everyone in the room. We believe performing and the skills acquired at a camp like ours can help kids throughout their lives," says Joel Seger. He continues,

"We hope that we can instill a passion for the arts to all our campers...a production can give to the performer as much, if not more, than they give to the show. Being involved with theater can literally be a life saver. "Theater kids" as a group tend to be unique. Sometimes they don't feel like they fit in, until they find their way home, to the stage. This camp, can be that home. Creating an environment where kids can be themselves would be an amazing legacy."

Combined, the Segers have performed, directed and choreographed nearly one hundred theatre productions. In March 2013, they directed and choreographed a highly successful production of “Jesus Christ Superstar” for Barre Players Theater.

Brett Penza, Holy Name’s Information Technology Coordinator, will serve as Music Director.

Reclaiming a Tradition

All in all, the Segers hope to begin a new tradition at Holy Name.

"We are trying to bring back the rich heritage of summer theater to Holy Name. We hope we can start a new a tradition of summer camp 'on the hill'. The positive experience we had together at Holy Name Summer Theater is one reason we created this camp. There is no better place for Vanilla Box Productions to be," Joel Remarks.

Students entering 3rd grade through 12th grade are welcome to participate. The camp will take place July 8-26, 9am to 3:30pm (extended day 8:30am to 4:00pm) at Holy Name Junior Senior High School, 144 Granite St, in Worcester. Tuition is $550 (includes Registration Fee, T-Shirt, and Pizza Lunch every Friday). Show Dates will be Thursday, July 25th 6:00pm, and Friday, July 26th 11:30am and 6:00 pm. To register call 774.239.1438 or email [email protected]

Vanilla Box will also produce the musical “Godspell” with adults. Auditions will be June 2, 4, 5 at CCS Dance Academy, 607 Main St, Holden (all rehearsals will be at Holy Name). Shows are scheduled for Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings at Holy Name Junior Senior High School August 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17.

For more information please click here.