EdCamp celebrates 10th year

BY STACI WILSON

Budding performers have turned out for EdCamp’s 10th year. This week-long, intensive theater camp for middle and high school students culminates with a free show, Friday, July 22, in the Mountain View High School auditorium.

This year’s show is a celebration of the previous nine years said camp director Bob DeLuca. Friday’s night performance will include some of the best monologues, musical and dance numbers from prior years.

DeLuca said, “We hope we will see a lot of people who were involved with or attended EdCamp in past years turn out for the performance.”

The annual theater camp is sponsored by the Endless Mountains Theater Company.

During the week, the students receive vocal, dance, monologue and improvisation training.

Instructors this year include: Charlene Olcese – vocals; Bobbi Jo Kelsey – dance; Paige Balitski – monologues; and Rick Hutchins – improvisation.

Although this is the 10th year of EdCamp, the concept began with EdFest 11 years ago.

DeLuca said the plan was to rotate years between the two events but the camp was so successful EMTC decided to continue with an annual EdCamp.

The program is named in memory of Blue Ridge graduate Ed Lonzinski who was involved in various community theatres throughout his life and planned to sit on EMTC’s Board of Directors before his death.

It was Lonzinski’s dream to offer students high-level experiences in the art. His parents, Dolly and Mike, established a living memorial and EdCamp was born.