Rural Missouri - August 2022 - 29

Left: Austin Ambrose and Adrienne Lucas played werewolves during
the camp in Memphis. Above: Directing the fi ve summer theater camps
were Emily Long, center, and her assistants Bailey Angel, left, and Meghan
McGehee, right. Here they are coaching the vampires who sang " My
Fangs Always Get in the Way. "
Missouri's Upstate theatre
Emily relates. " But small communities like this one, they
actually were telling us that the fi ne arts programs have
been cut. So for us to be able to come and give it to them
for a week is really, really rewarding. This is maybe it for
the year for them. To be able to help provide arts to kids
who don't have the opportunity is what makes it worth it
for me. "
Besides the off-site camps, Maples Rep has other
programs to help rural youth learn to appreciate the arts
through its Maples Youth Center Stage. The theater offers
performance camps at its home in Royal Theatre. The
season started with a two-week teen camp where Shakespeare's
" A Midsummer Night's Dream " was performed.
Kid's Jam offers games and storytelling for kids ages 3 to
5. Skills camps provide more advanced theatrical lessons
including creating characters.
Besides the lessons, there are special Theatre for
Youth and Families plays performed by the professional
actors. There also are combined performances where
aspiring actors and actresses get to act alongside the
professionals while being mentored.
" The beauty of it is it's just a week, " Emily says of the
summer camps she helps bring to Main Streets around
the state. " I mean, a week is a really great starting point.
And then you might realize that
you really, really love it. That's
part of the beauty of our camps.
They really are just one week to
give it a try. And, you know, if you're
like, that wasn't for me, you don't
ever have to do it again. But if you
realize that it's something you love,
then it's a new passion. "
Memphis
Macon
M
acon's Maples Repertory Theatre got its start in 2004
thanks to the vision of its director, Todd Davison. As
a youngster, Todd attended movies at what was then
called Macon Theater. He grew to love the stately building
that opened in 1889 as the Jobson Opera House.
Todd purchased the crumbling building in the 1990s and
started a massive effort to restore it to its former glory. Now
known by its third name, the Royal Theatre, there's not a bad
seat in the house.
By 2003 the project was far enough along that Todd began
assembling a cast that was willing to travel long distances and
work for little pay for his fi rst show.
That production, " The Fantastiks, " was the fi rst of many
for the professional theatre. Since that time the props have
become more extravagant, the choreography more complex
and the acting better with each season.
Today the main stage shows run from June to midDecember.
There are six plays, along with two cabarets
where each member of the company gets to perform their
favorite contemporary or classic show.
The 2022 season shows remaining include:
* July 15-Aug. 7, Hank Williams: Lost Highway
* Aug. 4, Summer Cabaret
* Oct. 5-16, The Bikinis: A New Musical Beach Party
* Oct. 27-Nov. 7, Something's Afoot
* Nov. 30-Dec. 11, A Tuna Christmas
* Dec. 8, Holiday Cabaret
Maples Repertory Theatre performs in the Royal Theatre
located at 102 N. Rubey St. in Macon. For more information or to
order tickets, visit www.maplesrep.com or call 573-385-2924. For
more information about its youth programs, contact Emily Long at
the number above or email elong@maplesrep.com.
AUGUST 2022 | RURAL MISSOURI 29
http://www.maplesrep.com
Rural Missouri - August 2022

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