It's A Candy-Land

AM Theatrical in partnership with the Fort Peck Summer Theatre put on their 2024 Performing Arts Camp July 30 through Aug. 8, splitting their time between the Glasgow Evangelical Church July 30 through Aug. 2, and then in Fort Peck Aug. 5 through Aug. 8. This year the Camp's head director was Lizzie Peters with assistant director Rachel Pewett along with the talented company of Fort Peck Summer Theatre as teachers and counselors. A total of 112 students from all over Montana participated in the camp learning about acting, improvisation, vocal training, movement and dance which accumulated into a final performance on Aug. 8 for family and friends on the historic Fort Peck Summer Theatre stage. Though there were some familiar faces in the camp of those who had roles in this year's productions of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Bonnie and Clyde and Cinderella, the camp was designed to cater to all skill levels, really providing an opportunity for all to learn about the different aspects of theatre.

The two weeks' worth of work accumulated into a performance where the third through 12th graders showcased their hard work. The high school students, who named their group DumDumz, wrote the seven scene play, while the younger campers were the ensemble, each having their own performance song within the play itself.

After the Showcase, a few people and campers were recognized for their dedication and hard work throughout not only this season but previous seasons as well. Seniors Gabrielle Haskin, Gabe Proctor, Brooke Watson, Amber Pearson, Mirax Lipscomb and Carter Pippin were recognized as this is their last year of camp, and Lipscomb was awarded the Emitt Northup Achievement Award. This award is given to any Performing Arts Camp student completing 10 years of perfect attendance. A pottery mug crafted by Daryl Northup, Emitt's brother, along with a monetary gift was presented to Lipscomb. She is the second recipient of this award as Zachary Pierce, Emit and Terry's Northup's youngest grandchild, received the award last year.

Also recognized were the recipients of the Jake Etchart Fine Arts Scholarship, Lucy Schindler and Mesa Winder, by Patt Etchart. J. Etchart grew up spending summers at Fort Peck Lake with much of his time spent around the Fort Peck Theatre where his family was actively involved as volunteers. He loved watching his sisters, Alexa and Christen, perform on the Fort Peck stage. The Etchart family and friends established a theatre scholarship fund in his memory which is invested within the Fort Peck Theatre Preservation Endowment of the Montana Community Foundation. The interest from the investment provides up to two scholarships per year for undergraduate or graduate students pursuing a career in the Fine Arts.

Schindler is a 2024 company member at Fort Peck Summer Theatre, appearing in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Bonnie and Clyde, and Cinderella as well as fulfilling a contract that includes technical duties and the Performing Arts Camp. She will be a senior at the University of Montana, pursuing her bachelor's of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre with a minor in Dance.

"I am so honored to have received this scholarship, and am thrilled to represent this amazing program. I am going into my senior year at the University of Montana as a musical theatre major, this scholarship will be a big part in helping me finish out my degree. It has been such a joy working at the Fort Peck Summer Theatre. I see how important this theatre is to this community and I'm beyond honored to be a part of it. Thank you so much to the scholarship committee, Etchart family, and Andy Meyers for making this possible, I am beyond grateful!," reflected Schindler.

Winder has also been assisting with the Fort Peck Summer Theatre shows this season as a stage manager for Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Bonnie and Clyde and Cinderella as well as a staff member for the Performing Arts Camp. She will be entering her fourth year at the University of Arizona with plans to attend graduate school to get a master's degree in theatre management or arts administration.

This year was also the inaugural year for the Foot Light Award, which provides recognition to an individual who has been an outstanding contributor to camp, Theatre for Young Audiences production and the educational programs, whether it be as a volunteer, financial sponsor or even a star student or volunteer. "The major hallmark of these programs and AM Theatrical's mission is to provide arts exposure and opportunities to youth whom otherwise might not get it," expressed Andy Meyers, who created the nonprofit AM Theatrical. As part of the award, AM Theatrical will pay it forward, making a contribution to another arts education program such as the Children's Theater, school or studio in honor of the award's recipient. The inaugural recipient is Bonnie Meyer, and the award will now be named the Bonnie Meyer Foot Light Award. AM Theatrical also made a donation in the award's honor to the Glasgow High School Drama Club for their production of Fiddler On The Roof.