Campus & Community / Magazine Feature

Theater program provides summer entertainment

It’s summertime and the kids are bored at home all day. This boredom could lead to trouble.

That’s why DU professor Anthony Hubert started a day-camp theater program that takes place for two months each summer on campus.

Hubert and his wife, Jamie Roehrig-Hubert, founded the Rocky Mountain Conservatory Theatre (RMCT) three years ago, the same year Hubert became an assistant professor of acting and directing at DU. Hubert also is the head of recruiting for the theater department.

“I grew up in the projects of Atlanta, so my mother always had me going to something, but I was most excited when we had a specialty class that had to do with performing arts,” says Hubert. “I thought, when I grow up, I want to be one of those people who helps the community.”

RMCT offers two sessions each summer, and performs a different show each session. This summer’s first session recently performed Peter Pan, while the current session will be performing Annie Jr.

Since the theater started three years ago, the number of students has steadily increased. The first year, RMCT had 34 campers, the second year 108 and this year there are 205. Hubert says he expects the number to continue to grow and will split next year’s camp into three different age groups.

The camp has many ties to DU. Seven of the nine camp counselors are DU students and around 40 percent of the young thespians at the camp have parents that work at DU or are DU alumni. Many campers also have a sibling attending DU or the Ricks Center.

Hubert employs the DU students for the summer because he wants them to see how to run all aspects of a theater effectively.

“I want them all to have a bag of tools they can go out into the world with,” Hubert says.

Hubert also strives to educate the younger generations about the performing arts industry. Campers do everything it takes to put on a show. Each day is divided into several classes with rotating activities, such as acting, music, dance, art and rehearsal.

Nickelodeon’s Parent Picks’ Awards has nominated the Rocky Mountain Conservatory Theatre in the categories of best day camp and best theatre group for kids. The results will be released Aug. 17 and available at http://gocitykids.parentsconnect.com.

RMCT also offers Saturday classes and a holiday show during the school year. This year’s holiday show will be Miracle on 34th Street.

Annie Jr. will take place in Margery Reed Hall in the Little Theatre at the University of Denver campus. Performances are at noon and 6 p.m. July 16 and 17 and noon and 5 p.m. July 18. Tickets are $12 for adults, $10 for kids and free for ages two and younger. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.RMCTonline.com or call 303-476-0222.

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