Kids look to ‘Changing Minds’ on stage at Uptown!

WEST CHESTER » Kids don’t have the summer off at the West Chester Studio for the Performing Arts Summer camp.

Instead, at the fictional Playa Sola High School, it school daze as usual.

WCStudio at Uptown! presents “Changing Minds the Musical,” featuring a group of talented local middle and high school age actors. The kids have been seriously rehearsing for “Changing Minds the Musical,” a screwball comedy for a new generation. It’s a family friendly show that offers something funny and familiar for all who have experienced the social scene of the average school.

At Playa Sola High School, it’s business as usual – the jocks, geeks, popular kids, etc., all trying to navigate a world of insecurities, grades, fashions and text messages. Then, during a school trip to a historic mission, the minds of two high school seniors are inexplicably switched. Kyle, a charismatic slacker/surfer is helping everyone with their calculus, and scholastic superstar Natalie has become an expert on heavy metal lyrics and is calling everybody “dude.” Kyle and Natalie have to find out how to get their brains back as they juggle friends, classes, rumors, scholarship competitions. Driven by a contemporary pop score that reflects influences from rock, techno, R&B, and rap, “Changing Minds” is a musical that’s delightfully bright, laugh out loud funny.

One of West Chester Studio for the Performing Arts’ summer camps, “Changing Minds” is the summer Teen Show. “Campers”, ages 1217 audition for their roles, then meet and rehearse weekdays for three weeks. Eleven other camps for boys and girls ages 4-17 are offered through Aug. 20, 2018, for one or two weeks, and feature a show for family and friends at camps’ end. Taught by industry professionals, these include Storybook Theater for ages 4-7, Broadway Kids Cabaret for ages 7-12 and Summer Stock-Teens for ages 13-17. Enrollment begins annually in February and continues until the camp begins or fills up.

“Changing Minds the Musical,” and all WCStudio at Uptown! camps, takes place at Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center, conveniently located near parking, shopping and restaurants at 226 N. High Street, West Chester.

Performances are slated for Thursday, Aug. 2 at 7 p.m.; Friday, Aug, 3, at 7 p.m.; and Saturday, Aug. 4, at 2 and 7 p.m.

Purchase tickets or enroll for camps at UptownWestChester.org, at the box office, or call 610.356. ARTS(2787).

SUBMITTED PHOTO The cast of ‘Changing Minds’ practices for an upcoming performance as part of the West Chester Studio for the Performing Arts Summer Teen Show at Uptown!