Stony Point Drama Camp attracts 72 students to Charles City event

By Bob Steenson, bsteenson@charlescitypress.com

Combine 72 students with an interest in the theater and 15 presenters sharing their stage expertise on a wide variety of topics over a two-day event and the results can be, well, dramatic. And a lot of fun.

The second of what is now an annual Stony Point Drama Camp took place Sunday and Monday this week in conjunction with the Charles City High School drama department.

Michelle Grob, the high school speech coach and drama and musical director, said students could sign up for their choices of eight workshops over the two-day event, with subjects including stage fighting, choreography, makeup, learning to belt their voices, set design and stage acting.

“Our goal is to provide quality instruction and opportunities to our performing arts students,” said Grob, who is also a grade 7-12 Talented and Gifted teacher.

Three of the presenters were theater professors from the University of Northern Iowa.

Charles City High School 1996 graduate Jennifer Jacob – who has made her career in costuming for the theater and now for the Metropolitan Opera – Zoomed in from New York to talk about careers in the theater.

The camp this year had an Olympics theme, Grob said. Students competed in events such as a video scavenger hunt, workshops, performances, skits and creating a team flag, and medals were awarded.

The event was hosted at the Charles Theatre, the Charles City Senior Center and Trinity United Methodist Church, as well as outdoors in Central Park.

The first Stony Point Drama Camp, held last year, included only Charles City students and had 45 participants.

The drama department decided to reach out to other schools this year, Grob said, and participants came from Hudson High School, Waverly-Shell Rock and Don Bosco High School in Gilbertville, in addition to Charles City.

Students from visiting schools were charged $25 each to help cover costs, while Charles City students attended free.

Directors Derek Sturtevant, Ericka Joiner and Grob put the camp together, and Missy Freund headed the food committee and brought together volunteers to provide two breakfasts and two lunches.

“Students and directors enjoyed a jam-packed two days and went home exhausted and happy,” Grob said.