“Friend”-ly theme at EdFest

Young performers dedicated to honing their theater “chops” are attending clinics and workshops this week led by professional performers as well as theater and musical theater teachers.

The week-long theater camp culminates Friday night with a performance at Mountain View High School at 7 p.m. There is no charge for admission.
Fourth year EdCamp director Bob DeLuca said “friends” is the theme of this year’s camp.
According to DeLuca, the theme will be woven through the show’s musical and dance numbers. “The choice of monologues by the participants may or may not reflect the theme,” said the director.
Students, grades 5 through 12, are eligible to participate.
DeLuca said, “We encourage the participants to step out of their comfort zone – to dance if they haven’t before, etc.”
Along with DeLuca, other returning instructors include Charlene Olcese (third year); and Bobbie Jo Kelsey (fifth year).
First year, full-time instructors are Richard Hutchins and Paige Balitski but the two are not new to EdCamp. Both have served as guest speakers in past years.
The camp is named after Ed Lonzinski, who was involved in various community theater groups before his death.
Lonzinski, who taught at a high school in Greene, N.Y., prior to his death, valued educating students in the art of theater. His goal was to make theater festivals – common in more urban areas – accessible to students in this area.
A fund created by his parents Dolly and Mike Lonzinski, along with a United Way grant help finance the annual camp.
EdCamp is not the only production currently underway by EMTC.
DeLuca, Kelsey and four camp participants are pulling double duty this week as the Wizard of Oz enters the last few days of rehearsal.
EMTC will present “The Wizard of Oz,” Friday and Saturday, July 30-31, at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Aug. 1, at 3 p.m. Tickets for the show are $8/students and $10/adults. Shows will be held at Mountain View High School.

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