Children currently in grades 1 through 8 are invited to register for two summer camps with the Franklin Area Children’s Theater (FACT). FACT offers two camp sessions and this year will perform “The Big Bad Musical” and Disney’s Madagascar, JR.”
FACT is an offspring of the Franklin Opera House, Franklin Footlight Theatre and the Franklin High School Players and has come about through the vision of Artistic Director, Jule C. Finley.
Over 25 years ago in New York, Jule ran a grant funded summer theater program for children in grades four through 12. With the support of Franklin Opera House, and the Franklin Recreation Department, and generous corporate sponsors, Jule has been able to bring that dream back to life in Franklin. Now in its 12th season, FACT provides a positive experience for dozens of children. It also is an incredible educational experience for the teenage interns who are hired to work for the program. Most of them have grown up within the program. These teenagers work under the guidance of the Artistic Director to learn how to teach children to perform. They take what they learn, plus their own theater experience and mentor groups of children. The result is amazing!
Each camp program ends with a public performance where the campers demonstrate what they have learned. This year Camp 1 will meet Mondays and Wednesdays, July 2 to 26, from 4:00 to 5:30 at the Bessie Rowell Community Center. Camp 1 participants will perform The Big Bad Musical on July 26 at 1:00pm and 7:00pm at the Opera House. Camp 2 will meet at the Franklin Opera House Monday through Friday for two weeks, August 6 to 17, and will perform Madagascar Jr. – a Musical Adventure on August 17 and 18 at 7:00 pm.
The cost is $75 for Camp 1, and $150 for Camp 2. Limited financial assistance is available; ask for details.
Artistic Director Jule Finley holds an MA and CAGS in Education/ Integration of the Arts. She has received the New Hampshire Community Theater Association’s Best Director and Best Show awards and has had winning groups at the NHETG Regional Festival multiple times. Jule has been nominated as a Top Ten Choreographer three times for the NHTA. Jule has also been recognized by Who’s Who Among American Women and Teachers. In 2012, she shared the honor of Citizen of the Year for Franklin with her beloved husband Jack.
For more information or to register, call Franklin Opera House at (603) 934-1901 or visit: www.FranklinOperaHouse.org.
Franklin Opera House is the resource for community arts and entertainment in Franklin, NH and the surrounding area. Since 2001 it has provided a wide variety of performance and entertainment events. Franklin Opera House Restoration Committee, Inc. is a registered 501(3)c charitable organization.