A group of kids decided to spend part of their Christmas break memorizing lines and stage directions during a week-long youth theatre camp.
The camp, hosted by Taylor Parks and Recreation, lasted four hours each day from Dec. 18 to Dec. 22.
The week concluded with the campers performing a play they worked on called “The Meaning of Christmas” at Taylor Independent School District’s Main Street Auditorium Friday, Dec. 22.
“The kids had a lot of fun being on an actual stage with lighting and sound and microphones,” Davis said. “It was a really, really great experience and afterwards the kids were enthusiastic and said they had a lot of fun. Hopefully these are lifelong memories we’ve created.”
The show featured 13 young actors and one crew member who each ranged from 7-years-old to 14-yearsold.
Taylor ISD Theater Teacher Jason Angco-Barrera wrote the script and led the camp. The play lasted about twenty minutes and essentially involved three kids traveling on a journey and meeting different Christmas characters to discover the true meaning of the holiday.
Davis said it took a lot of hard work from the campers to pull the performance off since they essentially only had three days to rehearse with the first day serving as icebreakers.
“It speaks to everybody’s commitment to the team effort,” Davis said. “The kids just wrapped up a busy school semester so they would be naturally ready to take off and enjoy their holiday break. For them to stay focused is a testament to their effort and commitment to the theater
production.”
Sponsors for the event included Ancira Salsa, Farmers Insurance - Austin Brown, McCrory Timmerman, RTS Connect, Domino’s Pizza, Taylor Chamber of Commerce and Taylor ISD.
Jason Angco-Barrera, Taylor Independent School District theater teacher, thanks audience alongside cast after “The Meaning of Christmas” performance. Photo courtesy of Taylor Parks and Recreation
