WINTERSVILLE — Those between the ages of 8 and 14, who are in grades third through eighth, are invited to take part in this year’s theater camp, hosted by Indian Creek High School’s performing arts department.

The camp will run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily from July 7-11 in the school auditorium. Registration is due by Monday, with limited spacing. A final showcase performance for friends and family will take place at 6 p.m. July 11.

The cost is $45 to participate. Digital payments will not be accepted. Parents or guardians can drop off cash or a check made payable to Indian Creek Local School District, 200 Park Drive, Wintersville, OH 43953, officials noted. In the memo line, write “Theater Camp 2025.”

Theater and drama teacher Robert Zinsmeister is organizing the camp. He explained he is thrilled with the response so far, adding this will “provide further enrichment, while giving the young stars a chance to shine.”

Campers will explore acting and improvisation; voice and stage presence; set, props and costume design; theater games and daily creativity.

“I wanted a positive response from the community but wasn’t expecting more than 30 students,” Zinsmeister stated. “They will be having fun, meeting new people, building relationships and challenging themselves.”

Current high school performing arts students will assist as “concentrators,” along with adult staff members. Lunch will be provided July 8-10.

Zinsmeister said officials began the camp to benefit the students, the program and the community.

“We wanted to give students — especially those at the primary-school level who are interested in performing arts access and opportunity to experience and engage with live theater,” Zinsmeister continued. “The personal growth that occurs and the confidence that is planted within students who participate in theater, becomes an invaluable skill in their development as a person. I love our community and simply want the chance to positively contribute to it. We want to create something that our teachers, students and participants will be proud of. Most importantly, we want to show students and participants that positive action, when done with enthusiasm, integrity, honesty and a willingness for friendship, is not only important, but essential to anyone who wants to build and contribute to a peaceful, successful, safe and thriving community.”

“For the program, I wanted to use this opportunity to expand the experiences of the students who are concentrating in the performing arts program at Indian Creek High School,” Zinsmeister added.” “I want them to determine what exactly they will learn in this experience. Each student is different, and one may find what they learned about themselves or the world around them, wasn’t what they were expecting. It is creating the next generation of responsible citizens and community members.”

Zinsmeister hopes the camp will become an annual event and help grow the recently-formed Creek Kids Playhouse Children’s Theater by including younger students as actors in select productions.

For information, call Zinsmeister at (740) 264-1163 or through e-mail at ichstheatre@iclsd.org.

Be sure to include with the payment parent’s or guardian’s names, student’s name, grade, age, e-mail, phone number and T-shirt size.