All Stories

Carthage Theatre presents ?Disney's Peter Pan Jr.? at 7 p.m. on Monday, July 17. Carthage Theatre presents “Disney's Peter Pan Jr.” at 7 p.m. on Monday, July 17.The Carthage music theatre program recently welcomed 26 school-aged students for a summer music theatre intensive. The students, along with their parents and three teachers from the Shanghai iMusical program, traveled to Carthage to learn more about the tradition of music theatre. During the program, they’ve focused on learning new skills in voice, acting, and movement, all while improving their English fluency.

The camp will culminate in a performance of Peter Pan, Jr. on Monday, July 17, at 7 p.m. in the Visual and Performing Arts Lab (VPAL) located inside the H. F. Johnson Center for the Fine Arts.

“It’s really a challenge to put together a 60-minute musical in just one week, but it’s really rewarding to see the campers’ excitement when they are able to put together the skills. They are really growing creatively,” said camp director professor Magdalene Spanuello. As camp director, Prof. Spanuello coordinates this summer program and also mentors and supervises all Carthage students involved in the project.

Carthage alum and professional theatre artist Thomas Novak is a theatre specialist for the camp. He is joined on the faculty by fellow alums Kati Schwaber, choreographer, Gage Patterson, technical director, and Corrie Riedl, assistant camp director.

Current Carthage students are also employed with the program, providing leadership and social activities for students. Austin Nelson, Jordan Nazos, Alexis Gilkes, Cassidy Scorija, Emma Swain, and Lydia Haasl are all providing their talents as performers in a cabaret that performed on Thursday, July 13 and they also help with props, costumes, and rehearsals for the camp.

“This is a wonderful program that provides opportunities for our current Carthage students as well as our professional alumni,” said Carthage music theatre professor Lorian Schwaber. “There are professionals from every level - from Shanghai to Chicago - as well as students from every level. Everyone is learning and growing. It’s an exciting place to be.”