Rock’ n Roll Revue Is Big Hit for Kids & All

The Rock ‘n Roll Revue performances by the 2017 Musical Theater Camp participants were well-received by audience members Friday evening and Saturday afternoon.

Camp organizers began preparing well in advance of this year’s theater camp making several changes along the way. The two previous theater camps were held late in the summer and collided with some families last summer flings at the beach and the start of school for some. So organizers decided to move the camp date up closer to the end of school.

The biggest change this year was the addition of a three-member live band (keyboard, guitar, and drums) instead of having the musical director on the piano for the entire show.

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The 39 camp participants were divided into four age groups including the 7-8 year old division with Abbey Phillips, Alexi Tillman, Kaylee Gentes, Bella Harden, Adam Bramberry, Corbett Crews, Matthew Bramberry, Zada Clemons, Ryker Harty, Faraday Harty, and Kairah Areedondo.

The 9-10 year old division included Savanna Martin, Robyn Asbell, Dillon Bramberry, Lilliana Tolentino, Collyn Jenkins, and Carson Mullinax.

The 11-13 year old division included Harley Slauson, Anna Frances Alexander, Hannah Pinney, Carley Whitmire, Haiden Crews, Jennifer Callaway, Adelyn Walls, Joshua Manning, Arianna Singletary, Nina Matthews, and Evan Rapp.

The 14-17 year old division included Julia Aldridge, Emma Jacobs, Gavin Jacobs, Ella Mercer, Cody Bramberry, Rebekah Bell, Emma Currie, Joshua Manning, Quindarius Cobb, Nykeria Greene, and Izaiah Catlin.

To open the performances artistic director Sandy Dennis welcomed all the audience members and thanked the myriad of volunteers associated with the week-long event before directing the crowd to “sit back, relax and enjoy the show.”

The colorful show began with a performance of I Could’ve Danced All Night, by technical director Gail Harrell which featured a ballroom performance by Traci and Robert Tolentino. From that point, the youth completely took over the show which continued with Hound Dog featuring Joshua Manning as Elvis Presley, Rock Around the Clock featuring Harley Slauson as Bill Haley, Great Balls of Fire with Andrea Scholl on piano, Johnny B. Goode featuring Quindarius Cobb as Chuck Berry and Izaiah Caitlin on harmonica, Purple People Eater featuring Lilliana Tolentino and Faraday Harty as the Purple People Eater, The Twist, My Boyfriends’s Back featuring Julia Aldridge, Emma Jacobs, Ella Mercer, Rebekah Bell, and Emma Curry as The Angels, Barbara Ann, The Loco Motion featuring Robyn Asbell as Little Eva, I Wanna Hold Your Hand featuring Gavin Jacobs, Cody Bramberry, Quindarius Cobb, and Izaiah Caitlin as The Beatles, You’ve Got A Friend featuring Adelyn Walls and Julia Aldridge as Carole King, Chain of Fools featuring Nykeria Greene as Aretha Franklin, Aquarius featuring Joneen Padgett, Emma Jacobs, Ella Mercer, Rebecca Bell and Emma Curry as The 5th Dimension, YMCA, and You Should Be Dancing.

“I want to personally thank everyone for the unbelievably great job everyone did at camp this year,” said Mrs. Harrell. “It was quite a challenge but everyone pulled together for the kids which is what this is all about.”

The adult volunteers included Mrs. Harrell, artistic director Sandy Dennis, music teacher Joneen Padgett, dance teacher Traci Tolentino, acting teacher Roger Harrison, curtain operator Natt Rapp, and Cissy Benton.

Group leaders were Pat Matthews, Barbara Robbins, and Lisa Clemmons for Group 1; Kim Payne and Susan Jacobs for Group 2; Paul White for Group 3, and Sarah McMichael for Group 4.

The live band performers were Les Steele on the keyboard, Cooper Sanvidge on guitar, and Matthew Benton on drums.

Lights and sound crew included Buddy Aldridge, Zach Norris, and J.R. Cobb.

Set designers included Susan Haynes, Jill Dyer, Jeanne Trammell, and Karen Cortes.

Laurie Smallwood was wardrobe mistress and costumers included Mindy Clotfelter, Lura Curry, Sandy Dennis, Jean Ford, Norma Mattison, and Margaret Watson.

Hair and makeup crew included Lisa Fuller, Tambra Mitchell, Pam Roger, Lauire Smallwood, Gail Stowe, Mandi Tanner, and Retha White.

The breakfast/lunch crew, Ann Mercer, Claudia Rapp, and Terrian Treadwell, served meals provided by the Jasper County Charter School system’s summer free lunch program included Registration was led by Ann Gay and Laura Walls while tickets/communications were handled by Lisa Fuller and Ronny Payne with ticket takers Susan Haynes, Gail Parrott, Ronny Payne, and Patricia Tomlinson. Parking lot attendants were Walt Harrell and Buddy Aldridge.

Donations had a huge part in making the theater camp happen whether the goods were tangible or not. Hooper Trailer Sales donated $500 in budgeted funds. Youth scholarships for camp attendants were donated by Hal and Amy Harris, Warren and Mary Camp, Roger Harrison, Joneen Padgett, and Bank of Monticello.

Sound system by Randy Martin, J.R. Cobb, and Walt and Gail Harrell. Wigs were donated by Towander Dennis.

Cash donations were provided by Rob Alexander, Paul and Susan Holmes, Lewis & Malone Heating & Air, The Romeo Club, and Judy Yielding.

Piedmont Academy provided the Bandstand risers.