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The show features a variety of solo and small group singing performances. Photo by Lance Gaither

Shamrock Camps feature local talented kids of all ages. Photo by Lance Gaither

Kids get to dance on stage during the Shamrock shows. Photo by Lance Gaither

Shamrock instructors help the children warm up before rehearsal in the second week of camps. Photo by Lance Gaither

Shamrock instructors help the children warm up before rehearsal. Photo by Lance Gaither

The show is an homage to American culture throughout the decades, celebrating dance, music, and films from throughout the last century. Photo by Lance Gaither

Shamrock Camp attendees practice singing a song from “The Lion King.” Photo by Lance Gaither

The show features a variety of solo and small group singing performances. Photo by Lance Gaither

The summer Shamrock Camps at West T. Hill Community Theater in Danville are in their third week, helping local youngsters showcase and improve their talent.

The camps are run in partnership with Uplift Performing Arts from Carrickfergus, Northern Ireland, which is Danville’s sister city. This year the camp is celebrating its 10 year anniversary.

No one quite knew where it would lead in 2008 when Danville was paired with Carrickfergus, Northern Ireland as “Sister Cities”. The two communities are separated by more than 1,300 miles and five time zones. What could they possibly have in common? It emerged that both cites had a history of support for and active local arts and culture activities. That was a place to start.

One of the first initiatives of Danville’s Sister Cities Commission was to award a trip to a local artist as part of a cultural exchange between the cities. Local playwright and author, Elizabeth Orndorf, was the first to travel to Carrickfergus taking her expertise and experience in playwriting to share. At the time, Liz was also an active member of the Board of Directors of West T. Hill Community Theatre (WTHCT) in Danville.

Upon her return, Liz reported to the WTHCT Board that she had met a performing arts organization in Carrickfergus, UPLIFT, owned and operated by Ryan and Amy Moffett. UPLIFT had entertained her one evening during her visit, and she was overwhelmed by the talent and enthusiasm she witnessed.

Orndorf and WTHCT managing Director, Karen Logue, began a process that they hoped would lead to UPLIFT becoming involved in the theatre’s ongoing and well-established summer drama camps. After significant discussion, consultation, planning and fundraising, the following summer 10 Irish youth from the UPLIFT organization came to Danville to lead two weeks of summer performing arts camps, dubbed “Shamrock”. The response was phenomenal.

This summer the unique and popular collaboration celebrates its 10th anniversary with 75-80 children and youth ages 5 to 17 participating in each of the two week-long camp experiences. From 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. each day, campers are involved in individual and age group instruction in music, choreography, and stage presence and presentation.

Underlying all of the activities is an emphasis on building collaboration, self-esteem and self-confidence in a safe and fun atmosphere. At the end of each week of Shamrock camp, the participants present 90-minute “showcases” on Friday and Saturday evenings and a Sunday matinee at the West T. Hill theatre on Larrimore Lane.

The theater houses, feeds and entertains anywhere from 4-20 Irish participants (depending on the summer). Budgets range from $25,000 to nearly $35,000 depending on flights, housing, meals, etc. The theater recoups the costs with ticket sales for showcase performances at the end of each camp week and by corporate and private donations over and above regular patronage.

“The effects of this cultural exchange are far reaching,” Logue said. “We have seen children start the camp, shy and reserved – to blossom by the end of their week of camp. We have seen life-long, enduring friendships developed. We have literally seen some young people’s lives changed by the encounters. The skills that they learn during camp are assets they will carry with them always. The self-esteem that is nurtured is very valuable and worthwhile.”

In addition, three years ago the program expanded to include an adult camp in the evening of the third week of Shamrock. Like the younger participants, the adults learn the music and choreography and present a showcase of their own on Friday evening. For the adults, it is a time to revive stage experiences from high school or college, check off a bucket list item or just experience something new.

The final event of Shamrock this year will be a “Mega Mash” performance at 7:30 p.m. on August 3 at the Boyle County Performing Arts Center at Boyle County Middle School. Participants from all of the camps will combine for a final music and dance extravaganza.

More than a summer music and performance camp, Shamrock is a unique, life-changing cultural exchange program.

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