Tuesday, July 22, 2025
63.0°F

Drama camp to feature ‘The Greatest Showman’

DEVIN WEEKS | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 5 years AGO
by DEVIN WEEKS
Devin Weeks is a third-generation North Idaho resident. She holds an associate degree in journalism from North Idaho College and a bachelor's in communication arts from Lewis-Clark State College Coeur d'Alene. Devin embarked on her journalism career at the Coeur d'Alene Press in 2013. She worked weekends for several years, covering a wide variety of events and issues throughout Kootenai County. Devin now mainly covers K-12 education and the city of Post Falls. She enjoys delivering daily chuckles through the Ghastly Groaner and loves highlighting local people in the Fast Five segment that runs in CoeurVoice. Devin lives in Post Falls with her husband and their three eccentric and very needy cats. | July 3, 2020 1:00 AM

COEUR d’ALENE — Now, more than ever, kids need to be kids.

"Kids always need a safe place to have fun with others their age, develop camaraderie and learn to express themselves," drama, speech and music teacher Daniel Connelly said Wednesday.

Connelly is once again hosting a weeklong theater summer camp to give kids those opportunities to play, create and explore their talents. They'll enjoy water games, improv games, team building, singing, dancing and acting as well as a short performance of "The Greatest Showman," the P.T. Barnum story.

"With the recent lockdown, kids are hungry for this," Connelly said. "I have always been a believer that acting in live dramatic plays can help bring out the best in kids. I hope to pull them away from video games and TV and lead them through a magical experience of putting on 'The Greatest Show'."

Addressing the pandemic, Connelly said safety measures will be in place.

"Oftentimes, when I am working with a large group of kids on a play during the flu season, we make sure that everyone is being careful to not spread germs and is keeping their immune system high by taking lots of vitamins, drinking lots of water and getting lots of sleep," he said. "We will be taking those same precautions here, but being even more diligent to make sure each camper is doing their part to help keep themselves and those around them happy, healthy and safe."

He said although it is a possibility the camp may be canceled or postponed, he's optimistic that by camp time, "we will be good to go."

"I love live theater and the performing arts and could not think of a better use of my time than to use those tools to help young people continue to grow and develop themselves into beautiful human beings," he said.

The camp is for ages 6 to 18 and will be held Aug. 10 to 14 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Summit Christian Academy (formerly LAM Christian Academy) where Connelly works.

Admission is $160 per camper.

Summit Christian Academy is at 5350 N. Fourth St., Coeur d'Alene.

For registration and details, contact Connelly at dconnellyenterprises@gmail.com or 208-699-8775.

Info: www.connellyenterprises.weebly.com/summer-camps.html

photo

Izzy Mesenbrink, Kylen Braileanu, Jacob Simpson (kneeling), drama teacher Daniel Connelly, John Lowman and Michael Simpson have fun as chimney sweeps during the 2019 “Mary Poppins” summer theater camp.

MORE ENTERTAINMENT STORIES

These camps are all DRAMA
Coeur d'Alene Press | Updated 6 years ago
Kids can get a taste of theater
Coeur d'Alene Press | Updated 15 years, 1 month ago
FAST FIVE Daniel Connelly: Mr. Entertainer
Coeur d'Alene Press | Updated 4 years, 6 months ago

ARTICLES BY DEVIN WEEKS

Construction on sports facility expected to begin this fall
July 22, 2025 1:08 a.m.

Construction on sports facility expected to begin this fall

Construction on sports facility expected to begin this fall

The Coeur d'Alene Tribe has donated $100,000 to support the Timberlake High School Field House, a project that will provide a place for youth in northern Kootenai County to stay active throughout the year.

'Grease' returns to Lake City Playhouse after 28 years
July 18, 2025 1:08 a.m.

'Grease' returns to Lake City Playhouse after 28 years

'Grease' returns to Lake City Playhouse after 28 years

It's got a groove. It's got a meaning. "Grease" is the way a crew of talented teenyboppers were feeling 28 years ago this summer when they brought the popular musical to the Lake City Playhouse stage. "When I was in 'Grease' is when I fell in love with the playhouse," Lake City Playhouse Artistic Director Brooke Wood said Wednesday.

FAST FIVE Eli Underhill takes the stage
July 19, 2025 1 a.m.

FAST FIVE Eli Underhill takes the stage

Meet Eli Underhill, a 20-year-old local performer.