This summer will see the launch of an exciting new summer arts program for young people in Danville and Boyle County. Danville Independent Schools and Boyle County Schools are joining forces to form the New Bridge Summer Performing Arts Camp, a day camp available to students who have completed grades 1-12.

The first session will be for local children who have completed grades 1-6 and will take place from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. June 13-17 at Danville Schools’ Gravely Hall Performing Arts Center. Jane Dewey, director of arts education for Danville Independent Schools and recent recipient of the Education Award in the 2021 Governor’s Awards in the Arts, will serve as the director for the week-long camp.

Dewey said, “Bravo Kids! Musical Theatre Camp has been our partner in this work for several years, opening summer opportunities in the performing arts for hundreds of students. With the addition of Boyle County Schools, we hope to expand this opportunity to more students!

We’re grateful for the continued support of the Danville Schools and the Danville Schools Education Foundation Friends of the Arts who help make this program happen annually.”

The second session will be for area students who have finished grades 7-12 and will take place at Boyle County Schools’ new Boyle County Performing Arts Center weekdays June 20 – July 1 from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. Frieda Gebert, performing arts coordinator for Boyle County Schools and retired K-12 and post-secondary educator, will be the director for the two-week session.

Faculty members from both school systems will be involved in the program.

A leadership team made up of students from Danville High School and Boyle County High School has been assembled. Together, the students chose “Curtains,” a musical by the composers of “Chicago” and “Cabaret,” to be produced during the two-week session. It’s a hilarious who-done-it that will please all ages. The student leadership team includes Londyn Jackson, Demani Bell, Anna Sparrow, Clay Fisher, and Claudia Douglas.

The cost of the one-week session, which includes breakfast and lunch every day, is $75. The cost of the two-week session, including meals, is $150. There are limited scholarships available for both sessions.

“We are very grateful to the Boyle County Educational Foundation for providing several scholarships for this endeavor, as well as substantial financial resources for operations. The foundation’s support will allow students in the arts to receive extra training and performance opportunities that have been lacking recently due to COVID-19 restrictions,” Gebert said. “And, we hope this partnership with Danville Independent Schools will provide a new bridge in our community for years to come.”

“The Arts Commission of Danville/Boyle County has been a tremendous sponsor of our program since its inception,” added Dewey. “We will be reaching out to them to request their continuing support.”

Students interested in registering for the New Bridge Summer Performing Arts Camp may do so at bit.ly/NBSPAC.

ABOUT GRAVELY HALL PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
Gravely Hall Performing Arts Center is a fully equipped 660-seat, proscenium theater that welcomes over 28,000 students and community members annually. Gravely Hall provides multiple opportunities for students to create, perform/present/produce, respond and connect to the visual and performing arts every year. Community rental opportunities are available. Gravely Hall Performing Arts Center is located in Danville High School at 203 E. Lexington Ave., Danville, Ky. 40422. For more information, please contact Jane Dewey, director of arts education, at jane.dewey@danville.kyschools.us.

ABOUT BOYLE COUNTY PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
Boyle County Performing Arts Center is a 500-seat, proscenium theater that features a full-fly loft with professional rigging, orchestra pit, performance lighting and sound, multi-level seating, lobby with ticket office, scenery shop, and green room. The venue is located adjacent to Boyle County Middle School at 315 Cunningham Way, Danville, Ky. 40422. Visit bocopac.com for more information.