Crystal Theater has spots open for summer youth workshop

There is nothing more exciting than watching what the performing arts teach young people. On Tuesday, May 13, in a standing-room-only house at the Crystal Theater, one could watch at least three dozen young people come completely alive!

It was thrilling to watch Mrs. Zaitz's fourth and fifth grade class from Grace Christian Academy as they poured their hearts and souls and talent into performing the musical “Alexander Hamilton: The Making of a Patriot.”

They stepped into the shoes of their founding fathers. They discovered a new understanding of our history, of human nature, and how to overcome their own fears. As the performance progressed one watched them grow in not only in skill, but in confidence, and in a spirit of cooperation that the performing arts teach in way that no other medium can.

It made everyone realize how important the Crystal Theater summer workshop (now more than 30 years young) is to area youth. The Crystal has three spots open for this year’s workshop which will run from July 11 through July 25-26. Each year the showcase script is chosen to best enrich the young people involved, so the quicker we know who is involved, the more informed script choice can be made. Will it be “The Tempest?” “Annie?” “Oliver?” Something brand new?

The Crystal also has a camp this year slated June 17-19 with an emphasis on understanding Shakespearean language and being able to be understood when speaking it. The Crystal teaching team will be joined by university students who have been through the Crystal programs. For this workshop contact Barbara Crozier directly at barbaracrozier1@gmail.com.

For more information on the two-week camp go to Gonzalescrystaltheatre.org and fill out the application. One can either mail it to P. O. Box 1956 or drop it by at Laurel Ridge, 827 Saint Joseph, Gonzales. The fees only cover the basic cost of theater use, but if that is an issue, partial scholarships are available on request.