On Monday, July 9, 40-plus youngsters, aged 5 to 14, gathered at 9 a.m. at the Sampson Community Theater to begin the 2018 Theater Day Camp.

They were welcomed by the Director Angela Martin who had been spending most of her time rehearsing the cast of “Hairspray,” which had just finished their first 5 of 10 performances they would present with the other five performances coming on Friday, Saturday and Sunday after the campers arrived on Monday.

Angela began from day 1 teaching the campers some of the mysteries of acting which included getting them ready to perform “Annie, Jr” at the conclusion of the day camp. So after two weeks the day campers presented a show that had to be seen to be believed. There were only three shows but they were well attended and the show on Sunday was a sellout and the other two shows were near sellouts.

We all got a glimpse of what you will see on the big stage in the future like Lacey Pearson who played Annie, Simon Ussery was Oliver Warbucks, Anna Teachey was Miss Hannigan, Loralei Bellanger was Lily St. Regis and Brady Warren was Franklin Roosevelt. The costumer was L.J. Carr.

Blithe Spirit, the Noel Coward comedy directed by Tom Wilbur, will have auditions Saturday, Aug. 4 at 10 a.m. This play needs two adult males and five adult females. The late Gary Melvin always wanted us to do this play and Mr. Wilbur is dedicating this show to his memory. We thank Ken Sutton and State Farm Insurance for sponsoring this event.

Upcoming events

Blithe Spirit — Directed by Tom Wilbur. Auditions Aug 4 at 10 a.m. Performance dates Sept 21, 22, 28, 29 at 7:30 p.m. and Sept 23, 30 at 2:30 p.m.

A Christmas Story, The Musical — Directed by Dan Holland. Auditions TBA. Performance dates are Nov 30, Dec 1, 2, 7, 8 and 9.

Thoughts until next week

Speech needs company; silence needs solitude.

Speech wants to conquer others; silence helps conquer oneself.

Speech demands respect; silence commands it.

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By Bruce Caldwell

Contributing columnist

Bruce Caldwell is on the Board of Directors for Sampson Community Theatre.