Lovin’ Summer at camp

Some of the best budding musical theatre actors in Dundalk got the chance to strut their stuff on stage at An Tain Theatre recently thanks to Geraldine Pender’s Camp Rydell summer camp which had the iconic Grease as its theme.

Geraldine, the director of the From the Top Theatre School in Dundalk, was joined by a host of talented teachers, including 2014 AIMS best female singer and vocal coach, Karyn McCooey from Ravensdale; dance teacher and Camp Rydell choreographer, Alex O’Driscoll; arts and crafts tutor, and stage manager for Camp Rydell, Olga Tighe and camp teaching assistant Aoife O’Rourke.

Almost 70 children took part in the theatre school’s first summer camp, at the Town Hall, with a wide range of children, from ages three to 18, taking part in either one or both weeks of the camp where they learned, many for the first time, skills in drama, dance, singing and arts and crafts.

In addition, many of them prepared for the Camp Rydell show which was staged for parents and family on Saturday afternoon, July 22. The ground floor seats were sold out for the hour-long show, that thrilled the audience with performances of the classic tunes from the ever-popular hit Grease, including ‘Grease is the Word’, ‘Summer Lovin’’ and Beauty School Drop Out’.

It was a huge success and Geraldine has announced there will be a similar summer camp next year, with Fame the theme.

Rising Stars....Karyn McCooey and Laura McKinley at the Camp Rydell Musical Summer Camp’s production of “Rydell High” held in An Táin

Alysha McGuill and Emma Malone who took part in the Camp Rydell Musical Summer Camp’s production of “Rydell High” held in An Táin.

Bobbie Gamble and Caragh Mailley who played ‘Danny and Sandy’ in the Camp Rydell Musical Summer Camp’s production of “Rydell High” held in An Táin.

Pink Ladies....Ellen Hodgers, Neasa Farrell, Muireann Mailley and Kayla McGuill who took part in the Camp Rydell Musical Summer Camp’s production of “Rydell High” held in An Táin.