Rockin' Out: campers conquer fears, have fun

POLSON — Last Saturday, campers at the Port Polson Players’ performing arts camp proved that they could, indeed, handle the truth in two successful, and enthusiastic performances of the Lewing-original show, “Truth is Marching On.”

The campers, counselors and directors Karen and Neal Lewing, came together last Monday to kick-off the Players’ performing arts camp, a Lake County staple for the last 17 years.

Just six days later the campers took to the John Dowdall Theater stage to present the truth-themed extravaganza featuring singing, acting and joke-telling from the 34 campers, ages 4-14.

Matinee and evening shows featured well-rehearsed, polished performances, but according to the Lewings, experience and personal-growth, not perfection, are their primary goals for campers.

“The show’s only part of what we’ve been doing all week,” Neal said from the stage following Saturday evening’s show. “Public speaking is the number one fear in America. Number two is death.”

“If I asked one of you to get up here you’d probably be a mess,” Karen added, addressing the packed house. “But we’ve got a four-year-old up here doing it.”

To help campers conquer that pervasive fear, Karen said she, Neal, the camp counselors and captains spent the last week encouraging campers to forget their hesitations, jump on stage and project with confidence.

The numerous opportunities to practice, plus a little tough-love nudging from camp leaders (“Louder!” was the most frequently heard word in rehearsal), seemed to pay off, and by Saturday almost all of the campers appeared comfortable on stage.

Putting together a show in just six days is a process that the Lewings are familiar with, but one that’s never easy. Luckily, they received some very capable help in the form of teenage counselors Claudia Hewston, Tegan Bauer and Taylor Rost.

The three young women, now in high school, say they have been involved with the Player’s summer camp for practically their entire lives. And, according to Neal, he and Karen consider their contributions essential to the program’s success.

“We quite literally couldn’t do it without them,” Neal said of the girls whose responsibilities include teaching songs and dances, helping campers learn lines and doling out encouragement and hugs as necessary.

Keeping the campers focused and happy is a lot of work, pointed out Rost, who is a rising freshman at Polson High School, but it’s work that she says is enjoyable and rewarding.

Saturday evening, the three counselors led the show with enthusiasm and poise. Their performances were augmented by great work from the junior counselors, known as camp captains, particularly a hilarious portrayal of Betsy Ross by Anya Smith and a beautiful rendition of the Start Spangled Banner by Olivia Hewston.

Overall, said Karen and Neal, they considered the show a tremendous success.

“Not every kid is going to end up an actor,” Karen wrote in an email, following the show. “But every kid can walk away with skills learned in theater that can serve him or her for the rest of their life.”

For more information on the Port Polson Players’ upcoming Summer Stock series, visit portpolsonplayers.com