A Tradition Worth an Encore

For more than 20 years, Muskingum University's Summer Music Theatre Camp has been more than a place to learn songs, choreography, and stagecraft. It has become a home for generations of young performers-a place where confidence is discovered, friendships are formed, and a lifelong love of theatre takes root.

This summer marked the beginning of a new chapter as Muskingum alumni Kayela Anderson Roberson '11 and Clara Pearch Warner '10 stepped into the roles of co-directors, carrying forward a program established by longtime director Carol Wilcox-Jones while adding their own thoughtful touches for the future.

For both women, returning to Muskingum felt like coming home.

"I've been involved with the camp since 2008, so in many ways it was business as usual," Warner said. "Stepping into the role of co-director brought additional responsibilities, but it also gave us the opportunity to collaborate in a new way and help guide a program that has meant so much to us over the years."

Roberson shared a similar sentiment.

"I first became involved with camp in 2009 but took a break the past few years," she said. "In a lot of ways, I just jumped back in, and it was like I had never left. But in some ways, it was like my first camp all over again. It has been a joy to join forces with Clara and continue this program."

Both directors agreed that honoring Carol Wilcox-Jones' legacy began with preserving the heart of the camp she built. "Carol built an incredible foundation for the camp," Warner said. "The framework was already there, so our role was to make thoughtful updates while honoring everything she created."

Among those updates were moving the application process and much of the camp's communication online, expanding digital marketing efforts, offering private dance lessons, and adding a masterclass led by guest instructor Rick Earley. Before making changes, the new directors invited ideas from their staff, ensuring the program could continue evolving while remaining true to its traditions.

Those traditions continue to produce remarkable transformations in just six days. "It's always remarkable to see what students can accomplish in such a short time," Warner said. "We had an incredibly talented group this year, and it was wonderful to watch each student find their moment to shine. Seeing the ensemble grow from that first rehearsal to the final performance was truly inspiring. They developed not only as performers but also as a team."

For Roberson, the biggest transformation wasn't simply musical. "In just one week, the biggest transformation I saw was a dramatic shift from hesitance to total artistic confidence and trust," she said. "The returning campers arrive knowing what to expect, but the new ones don't yet understand the trust they'll build with the rest of the camp-or with themselves."

Those moments of growth often happen unexpectedly. Warner still remembers the energy of the campers' performance of a dance number from MJ: The Musical.

"They were completely committed, brought so much energy to the performance, and absolutely nailed it," she said. "It was one of those moments when everyone in the room knew something special was happening."

For Roberson, that unforgettable moment came during a Thursday evening rehearsal. "The campers performed one of my favorite opening numbers, 'Welcome to the Rock' from Come From Away," she said. "They nailed the vocals and movement during the bridge of the song. I knew they'd perform it beautifully by Saturday, but that was the moment of, 'Oh...we have a show!'"

While the performances impress audiences each year, both directors believe the camp's greatest impact happens offstage. "More than anything, I hope they remember the friendships and the sense of community they built throughout the week," Warner said. "Learning to sing, act, dance, and develop technical theatre skills is incredibly valuable, but there's something even more meaningful about working together toward a common goal."

Roberson agrees. "The friendships and the passion," she said. "We want our students to feel real emotions and have real conversations. It's not just a week of singing and dancing. The real heart of the camp is created through collaboration and honesty."

In a world increasingly shaped by screens, the directors believe programs like Summer Music Theatre Camp provide something many young people are searching for: genuine human connection.

"Go and do. Try," Warner said. "This camp gives young performers that opportunity."

Roberson echoed that idea. "Everyone wants a place in this world, and this program helps guide musical theatre enthusiasts in that direction. It gives the students a village. For one week, we put our phones down and we connect. We sing, we dance, we cry, we laugh, and we live. When we go back to our regular lives, we still have each other."

The impact extends well beyond a single week each summer. Former campers have gone on to perform on Broadway and national tours, while many others have carried the confidence and friendships they built into careers far from the stage. Alumni from years past still return to visit, and each June, another group of young performers discovers what makes the program so special.

Perhaps the clearest sign of the camp's success comes as the final curtain falls. "Hearing so many campers say, 'See you next year!' after the final performance says everything about what this program means to them," Warner said.

For Muskingum University, Summer Music Theatre Camp continues to be far more than a summer program. It is a tradition of mentorship, artistry, and belonging-one generation inspiring the next, ensuring the music never truly ends.