Published: June 21, 2009 11:10 pm      

Children find the spotlight at Paramount camp

ASHLAND — Preschool performers on the Paramount Arts Center stage proved the value of improvisation Friday morning as the first week of the theater’s summer camps came to an end.

While not nearly as polished as their older counterparts, the youngest of the arts center’s summer campers kept the crowd laughing as they reviewed “The ABC’s of Animals.”

Playing to an audience armed with many cameras, the youngsters generally followed their stage directions, although often abandoned their blocking to spontaneously spin and twirl, crawl on their stomach, wave to the cameras or simply take a seat at the edge of the stage and wait for it all to come to an end.

Ethan Gruber, 3, of Ashland appeared to reject the chorus line for a place in the spotlight near the audience. Rather than seeking stardom, however, Gruber sat silently on stage with tears in his eyes before bailing out and finding his mother waiting in the audience.

Nearly 100 area children from preschool age to 18 years old participated in the first week of summer camps, according to Melanie Sweeney, PAC director of education. Sweeney said spaces remain available for four additional weeks of PAC camps based on “all different topics.” Friday’s camp conclusion included a lobby display in the morning with art based on themes from four continents, followed by sketches from “Disney Camp” participants and an afternoon performance called “Make ‘em Laugh,” which focused on the fundamentals of physical and stand-up comedy.

Matt Allen of Russell said he and wife Debbie found the Paramount’s summer camps to be an ideal fit for their daughter, McKenna, 6.

“It gives her an outlet,” Allen said as he kept an eye on the stage for his daughter’s debut in a scene taken from Disney’s High School Musical. “This is what she enjoys. She likes to sing and dance. This gives her a chance to show her stuff a little.”

Mike Spears said he and his wife Stacey agreed the summer camp was an ideal fit for their 4-year-old daughter Olivia, who was one of the little ones in the first week of art camp.

“She loves to draw and stuff. We felt with art camp she would get something she wouldn’t get in day care,” Spears said. “She loved the whole week here.”

For information about Paramount Arts Center summer camps and other programs, visit www.paramountartscenter.com or call (606) 324-3175.