EDWARDSBURG — The Barn Swallow Theatre will be hosting a summer camp for fifth through 12th graders who are interested in theater next month.

The Barn Swallow Theatre will host a three-week summer camp hosted by Kate Podjan that begins July 8 and ends July 26 at 22334 US-12 in Edwardsburg. The camp will go from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 8 through the 25 and 3 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on July 26. The cost of the camp is $125.

“This camp is for anyone interested in theater that is going into fifth through 12th grade for the 2019-2020 school year. Campers will need to bring their own lunch each day. The camp registration fee covers the cost of scripts, camp materials and production costs,” said Kate Podjan, director of the Barn Swallow Theatre summer camp. “Our goal is to stage the musical Dear Edwina Jr. in three weeks. We will also spend time practicing improv, playing theater games and doing team building exercises.”

The public performance of “Dear Edwina Jr.” will be at 7 p.m. July 26 “Dear Edwina Jr.” follows the adventures of plucky advice-giver-extraordinaire, Edwina Spoonapple, as she directs the neighborhood kids in a series of buoyant production numbers for the latest edition of her weekly “Advice-a-Palooza.” Edwina and her friends share wisdom on everything from trying new foods to making new friends through clever, catchy and poignant songs, according to Podjan.

“The Barn Swallow community is passionate about bringing a variety of theatrical offerings to the Edwardsburg area,” Podjan said. “We all benefit when creativity can flow through the arts in our local community. Barn Swallow welcomes people of all ages and backgrounds to participate in productions year-round. On a personal level, I have enjoyed watching my three kids develop solid friendships with other cast members through the various productions they have been a part of.”

Tickets for the public performance of “Dear Edwina Jr.” are $15 for adults, $12 for seniors and students ages 13 to 18, and $6 for children 12 and under.

“Theater skills are so helpful for young people. They learn hard work, cooperation and collaboration, patience and encouragement, memorization and enunciation, and physical coordination,” Podjan said. “In theater, it is imperative that we relate to one another with kindness, respect and enthusiasm. Ideally, cast members will walk away having a lot of fun, and feeling like they contributed to something extremely rewarding.” This program offers a new opportunity to Edwardsburg, as it is the first summer camp offered by Barn Swollow.

“I have directed multiple youth productions, and I am excited to bring this camp to Edwardsburg. We have room for 15 to 30 cast members. There are still spots available.”

For more information on the camp or to register contact Podjan at (574) 261-6939 or katepodjan@gmail.com.