A recent press release from Johnson Hall outlined the specifics regarding the return of their popular Summer Shenanigans Visual and Performing Arts Day Camp held at Johnson Hall, 280 Water Street, Gardiner, is a well-known favorite of talented youngsters. They use their creativity to write a play, build sets, make props, and perform an original piece. Campers decide what character they want to be and then create a play and all the artwork for backdrops and costumes. This creative process results in a production on the last day of camp. The camp offers five sessions, for different age groups, based on the grade they will be entering in fall 2008.
Session I, June 22-June 26, for kids entering grades K-1 is a half-day, 9 am-noon. Three sessions in July are full days, 9 am-4 pm. Session II, July 6-10, for kids entering grades 2-4; Session III, July 13-17, for grades 3-5; and Session IV, July 20-24 for grades 5-8. New for 2009 is a teen session: July 27-31, from 1-4pm, for teens entering grades 9-12. For many years, people have asked for a session for kids who have “graduated” from Shenanigans. Johnson Hall is happy to kick off a new teen session, which will continue the development of Upstage 
Youth Company, offering teens a chance to create their own play in their own voices, and learn more tech and production skills as well.
Tuition is $110 for half-day sessions and $195 for full-day, which includes art materials and a snack each day. Shenanigans and Upstage Youth Company are staffed by theater and art professionals who return each year to provide a fun and creative experience for youngsters. Iona McCabe is Theater Director for Session I. Iona has studied theater and dance in New York City and at USM. She spent a year touring and directing with the Missoula Children’s Theater. She co-directs the Olios of Cony’s Chizzle Wizzle, and has been directing Shenanigans since 1998. Kathleen Nation is Theater Director for all other sessions. Kathleen trained at USM, Roehampton Institute in London, New Playwright’s Theater in Denver and Orange Coast College in California. She has directed both Winter and Summer Shenanigans for several years. Kathleen is the drama coach for Monmouth Middle School, and directs the Olios of Cony’s Chizzle Wizzle. Assistant Director Coleman Nation is a veteran of Shenanigans and local theater productions. Johnson Hall is seeking a new Art Director, as Yana Suponitskaya is entering a graduate program and will not be available.
Space is limited, and many weeks fill very quickly. Registration brochures are distributed through many area schools, mailed, and are available at Johnson Hall, Gardiner Public Library, Gardiner City Hall and the Greater Gardiner Boys & Girls Club. Scholarships (50%) are available, funded by a grant from Bank of America. For more information, contact Johnson Hall Performing Arts Center at 582-7144 or email info@johnsonhall.org. Visit Johnson Hall’s website at www.johnsonhall.org
