Summer Stage Celebrates 20 Years

Summer Stage, one of South Jersey’s longest running, most affordable Performing and Visual Arts Camps, will celebrate it’s Twentieth Anniversary this summer on the Blackwood Campus of Camden County College.

During the summer of 1988, co- founders Joe Bretschneider and Ed Fiscella, both teachers at Glen Landing Middle School in Gloucester Township, New Jersey, identified a need and stepped forward to address that need. Expanding on their already successful middle school drama program, and with the best wishes and support of an Upper Darby, Pa, program of the same name, Summer Stage was born in South Jersey.

The program began small, with about sixty-five, 6th through 12th grade participants and ten staff members, many of which are still with the program. Glen Landing Middle School Cafeteria buzzed with excitement as scenery was built, costumes created, and young children and their families filled the theatre to see opening performances of shows like Sleeping Beauty and Winnie the Pooh.

Over the past twenty years, Summer Stage has grown from one camp for kids entering 6th grade and up, to eight different programs offering something for every one entering 2nd grade through young adults. The program has become so large and popular that it was necessary to move it to the Blackwood Campus of Camden County College where all performances are presented in the air- conditioned comfort or the Dennis Flyer Theatre. Bus loads of kids enjoy such shows as this season’s: Peter Pan, Cinderella, and Seussical, Jr. Youth entering 8th grade an up can be found with camera in hand filming portions of their personally designed short film or painting and building scenery for an upcoming performance.

Young adults entering 9th grade and up prepare to audition for the Tony Award winning musical, Ragtime, while children entering 2nd grade through 5th prepare for their August 3rd performance of Kids In The Biz. Over 50 qualified staff members are busily directing, teaching, designing, choreographing, and preparing these young artist to be the very best they can be while having a great time building memories and long standing friendships.

Summer Stage Alumni continue to check back from their national tours, performance venues, teaching positions, and other exciting careers to share their awards and successes, and to account for the ways in which Summer Stage contributed to where they are today.

More information on Summer Stage, where summer time and happiness go hand in hand, can be found at www.mainstage.org or by calling 856-227-3091