CULLMAN, Ala. – Cullman Community Theatre’s summer theater camp kicked off this week with Rodney Basenburg, Wayne Cook and Laura Harris.
Cook, who is the founding member of the Cullman Community Theatre and director at Cullman High, spent time with the students on Monday, July 13, getting to know everyone and giving the students tasks to not only allow them the opportunity to get to know each other, but also learn the importance of leadership, and how that plays a role in theater.
Cook was also encouraging, informing the students that everyone has a talent such as singing, dancing or even being the funniest one in the room, adding many more examples as he went.
Basenburg, chairman of the Cullman Community Theatre and music and drama teacher at Hanceville, said that he and the others were very excited for theater camp this year.
Basenburg said camp would be moving to the Clark Street theater and that they will be performing for the public on Friday. “We will be performing music from ‘Grease,’ ‘Rent’ and ‘Wicked.’ They will also be doing skits. Wayne is just writing some skits to kind of go along with that.”
Basenburg said he hopes that a lot of the students will be back in November in time for “Beauty and the Beast,” directed by Savannah Chase.
We asked Basenburg if he found it challenging in a device-/media-dominant world to get students to come try out. He said, “Well, yes and no; as you can see we have a huge crowd here today.”
The camp grew this year from 13 to 20-plus students. “I don’t know how to say it but, if you’ve got that inborn desire to perform and sing then you’re going to be drawn to something like this.” He said not every child is a star athlete and the world always needs whimsy and art. And that is what this camp opens up. “Theater and drama is something that stays with you your whole life.” Through theater camp Basenburg’s goal is to reach out to children and encourage them to be a part of something. He said, “It builds community and confidence within themselves.”
All are welcome to join the Cullman Community Theatre, and Basenburg said he hopes to reach county schools along with homeschool children. He said there are a few homeschoolers in the production of “My Fair Lady” (dates and showtimes coming soon).
Photo 1: Top row are Tanner Marchman, R.J Braswell, Hudson Blackwell, Everson Browe, Lydia Simpson, Kally Morrow and Hadley Blackledge. Middle row are Audrey McSwarn, Mary Grace Browne, Kaylen Newman, Charli Taylor, Makayla Whitaker, Zoey Elliston, Ally White, Ruby Tishler, Samson Terry and Madeline Terry. Bottom row are Emma Gladden, Patrick McNeil, Morgan Silver, Emma Bridget, Abe Warren, Jaxon Dupree, Declan Maugh, Silvia Campanella and Hadley Norman. Plus Rodney Basenburg (left) and Wayne Cook (right) (Emily McMunn/The Cullman Tribune)
