Valley Parents: Theater camp welcomes kids of all backgrounds in White River Junction

WHITE RIVER JUNCTION — Theater camp may seem an unlikely choice for people who have never envisioned themselves being on stage.

But those who have done it have said that the experience is rewarding for everyone.

“Theater is one of the most welcoming and comforting places,” said Macy Bettwieser, who had one of the lead roles as Donna Sheridan in “Mama Mia the Musical,” which was staged by the BroadwayVentures summer camp at Hartford High School in mid-July. “No matter who you are, you are going to find friends. No one judges anyone. We are all supportive.”

All the roles, not just the main actors, are important to have a successful production, said Alicia Stein, the music director for “Mama Mia.”

Pulling a musical together in two weeks with the singing, dancing and acting all at once requires everyone — from the leading actors to the stagehands — to do their jobs right.

“Everyone matters,” Stein said. “If even one person doesn’t do their job it can change the whole outcome.”

Inside the high school auditorium, one day before the first show on July 18, the 45 students from grades sixth to 12th, completed the final dress rehearsal in the morning. “Mama Mia,” a musical comedy about a bride-to-be trying to find her real father, includes several songs by the 1970s Swedish pop group ABBA.

After lunch, the students got some final instructions on minor adjustments to lines, emotions and dancing from Andrea Nardone, choreographer and co-producer with her husband, director Brycen Nardone.

Because the camp is only two weeks, it is more intensive than the typical preparation for a play, said Brycen Nardone, a middle school social studies teacher at Dothan Brook Middle School. Auditions are held in May and the actors are given their scripts to memorize. It costs $270 for Hartford residents and $290 for non-residents; scholarships are available.

“We are auditioned-based so the students in it are definitely up to the challenge of pulling it together in two weeks,” he said. “They come to camp knowing their lines, but nothing else about the production.

“They are highly motivated kids.”

A first run-through is held by the fourth day of the first week.

“I wanted to do ‘Mama Mia’ for a long time and I think we had the right cast for it this year,” Brycen Nardone said.

The three performances sold out in the 330-seat theater and a waiting list quickly began, Nardone said on the afternoon of the first performance.

The production’s success begins with the cast and others learning their roles. Stein said it was evident on the first day the attendees put in the work leading up to the camp.

“The kids are great,” Stein said, while standing where the band was set up in a corner auditorium just off the stage. “They do a lot of work solo, listening to the music, practicing their parts. Then they come in and we put it all together.”

This is the fourth year the Nardones have held BroadwayVentures, which was borne out of similar experiences the Nardones had while growing up in New York, Brycen said.

“It has always been a dream of mine to have something like this on my own,” Brycen Nardone said.

Quinn Chartier, who had the role of Donna’s daughter, Sophia Sheridan, and will be a junior at Hartford this year, has been in all four BroadwayVentures productions, starting with “Charlie Brown.”

“Being able to put a show on in two weeks is crazy,” Chartier said. “But everyone comes in really prepared. I was doing my lines every night and learning all the songs.

“Just try it out,” Chartier urges others about the experience of theater. “Go to the audition. No matter what role you get, it is a great experience.”

It is Bettwieser’s second BroadwayVentures and she loves how different the preparation is for production compared to others she has been a part of.

“I love how fast-paced it is,” said Bettwieser, 17, who has been singing since a young age and will be a senior at Hartford High School this fall. “Everyone is dedicated and everyone wants to be here.”

Not only is there commitment, but Brycen Nardone said the talent is there as well.

“We have been really fortunate. Some outstanding talent has come our way,” he said. “It amazes me the level of talent we have every year from the kids who choose to do this program. For some it is their first time (performing), others their 10th so we have different ranges of experience.”

Nate Flockton will be a Hartford High School junior this year and has been performing about 10 years, including a part five years ago in “Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical” at nearby Northern Stage. Flockton, whose role was that of Ralph Brigth, one of Sophie’s possible fathers, said he does not plan to pursue acting professionally but does want to keep the skills he has learned so he will continue with it in some capacity after graduation.

Flockton, who adds his singing talent to “Mama Mia,” encourages anyone, even those who don’t see themselves in a stage role, to consider trying it because there are so many benefits that transcend theater.

“It is a great way to experience new things, challenge yourself and build your confidence and your speaking,” Flockton said following the dress rehearsal. “It will open you to a whole new world and it is a great way to meet new people.”

Cora Winslow, Sophia’s aunt in the play, said anyone she knows who has given theater a shot has come away with great memories.

“You won’t regret it,” said Winslow, who will be senior at Hartford this year, has been in all four BroadwayVentures camps and has been singing and dancing since a young age. “You will love it. I have never met anyone who regrets trying it.”

The Nardones’ goal is for everyone who attends the camp to come away with not only a love of musical theater, but a newfound confidence.

“I think the biggest thing is giving them the confidence in their ability to accomplish something that seems difficult at first,” Brycen Nardone said. “We want to help kids feel confident to step on the stage and perform to the best of their ability.”

Patrick O’Grady can be reached at pogclmt@gmail.com.