Summer camps return to the HAT.
SYDNEY — The Highland Arts Theatre is once again staging theatre day camps during July and August for youth ages 10-18.
This is the fifth summer for the program that offers instruction in acting, dancing, music and creative writing.
“This has been such a chaotic and bizarre time for all of us. We didn’t think we’d be able to do anything for a much longer time but we are just so grateful that there have been so few cases in Nova Scotia and especially in Cape Breton," said HAT artistic and executive director, Wesley J. Colford, in reference to the restrictions in place since March to limit the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
The restrictions included gatherings of no more than five individuals and social distancing demands requiring a two-metre (six feet) distance between individuals. The province has since eased some of those restrictions including increasing the gathering size to 50 people.
“We’ll be proceeding very carefully and with safety as the number one priority, but this feels like a good next step with extensive safety precautions,” said Colford.
“We’ve been working around the clock to think of everything we can do to ensure our participants and staff are completely protected while still having an amazing and fun time,” said Colford.
Along with strict physical distancing, camp sizes will be limited to only 10 participants per group. Cleaning and handwashing will be substantially increased, and anyone with household members who have been out of the province for less than two weeks, will not be permitted to attend in person.
New this year, said Colford, is an online version of the camp featuring the same roster of professional instructors. This camp with be delivered through Zoom and is designed for anyone who wants to participate but may have safety concerns about attending in person.
It will also serve as a quarantine option for any students who become sick during the timeline of the camps, said Colford.
Rather than a public performance at the end of the camp, participants in the two-week sessions will cocreate their own original performance which will be videotaped and sent to parents and loved ones.
“It’s not going to be the same, but it’s going to be a new and exciting challenge. We have an amazing staff and we can’t wait to see what these incredibly creative young artists come up with.”
Camps are being offered through July and August in 10-person groups based on age, experience level and duration. Participants can choose between one or twoweek camps at beginner or advanced levels for ages 1018. Some camps are already close to filling up.
Interested parties can register for any of the remaining timeslots at the HAT website: www.highlandartstheatre.com where you can also read the entire safety plan for HATCH camps. The HAT box office phone line remains unavailable for the time being as core staff continues to work from home, but any questions or alternate registration can be sent to: academy@highlandartstheatre.com or by messaging the HAT Facebook page.