The Summer Creative Academy in Liberty, Missouri, the Next Generation Storytellers program in Newport News, Virginia, and the Gwinnett Creative Youth Camp in Norcross, Georgia, are providing middle and high school students with opportunities to explore the arts.
The Summer Creative Academy, a program by Liberty Public Schools' Creative Arts Academy, is currently preparing for a production of Disney's 'Newsies Jr.' The musical, performed by around 90 middle-schoolers, tells the story of newspaper hawkers in 1899 New York who go on strike against newspaper owner Joseph Pulitzer. The students, along with teachers and student interns, have been working hard to prepare for the performance, which is scheduled for June 21 at Liberty North High School. This production showcases the talent and dedication of the students and staff involved in the Summer Creative Academy [e86b248f].
In Newport News, Virginia, high school students are participating in the Next Generation Storytellers program. Founded by TV actors Trent Garrett and Jacob Young, the program offers educational and technical support to underserved communities. About 80 to 100 Newport News students participated this year, learning about screenwriting and filmmaking and receiving coaching and support from the Next Generation Storytellers team. Their films will be screened at the Next Generation Storytellers Film Festival, which will be held at the Ferguson Center for the Arts at Christopher Newport University. The program aims to bring Hollywood opportunities to students who need them most [b85352aa].
Meanwhile, in Norcross, Georgia, the Gwinnett Creative Youth Camp is offering a summer camp focused on animation, art, photography, and writing. The camp will take place from June 17-28, 2024, and is open to youth ages 8-18. It will be held at the Norcross Cultural Arts and Community Center. The camp is part of the Urban Mediamakers Summer Creative Camp and aims to provide a Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math (STEAM) interactive experience for participants. The camp will feature professional instructors and small class sizes, with only 16 youth per camp. The cost of the camp is $275 for a full day from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and includes breakfast, snacks, and lunch. The camp will culminate with the premiere of animations, art, and photography created by the participants at the 23rd Urban Mediamakers Film Festival in October 2024. Parents have given positive feedback about the camp, with one parent recommending it and another expressing gratitude. The camp is presented by the Urban Mediamakers Film Festival and is an in-person event [e4075d4a].