The theater is planning numerous programs and productions this year that residents of all ages and skills are welcome to participate in.
Since the Voorhees Theatre Company became recognized as a non-profit entity in 2002, it has made it its mission to include anyone in the community who wants to participate.
“Unlike other theater companies, we’re all-inclusive,” said Robin Darrow, one of the founding members of the theater, and the current public relations representative.
“Anyone in the community and surrounding communities who wants to participate is able to.”
Indeed, there are many ways to get involved. The theater puts on two productions a year starring kids and young adults, and one production each fall featuring all age groups.
It also offers special workshops by professionals who teach a wide range of theater-related skills, such as vocal lessons, dance lessons, how to audition and more.
The next workshop will teach hip-hop dance to students ages 12 to 18. It will run from April 24 to May 11.
This year, the theater will put on three productions.
Students in the theater’s summer camp will present “The Princess and the Magic Pea” Aug. 2–5. Students entering third to eighth grade are invited to sign up for the camp, which runs from June 26 to Aug. 3.
It includes daily workshops that will teach various skills, as well as daily rehearsals for the production.
Young adults will perform “Sister Act” Aug. 10–12. Anyone entering ninth grade through age 22 is invited to sign up.
Finally, the theater will present its all-age show, “Oliver!,” Oct. 27–29. Anyone willing to put in the commitment is welcome to audition.
For those hesitant to step into the spotlight, the theater offers other opportunities. Students entering seventh grade through 10th grade can sign up for the technical theater program, which runs on the same dates as the summer camp.
The technical program offers students opportunities to learn about building sets, controlling spotlights and much more. They will produce both summer camp musicals.
Registration forms for both summer camps and the technical camp are available on the theater’s website, voorheestheatre.org.
Darrow said the theater is well-known in the Voorhees community. The summer camp usually gets about 150 participants a year, meaning the show has to be performed by two casts. The fall production sees anywhere from 50 to 70 participants.
Attached to Voorhees Middle School, the theater runs its summer programs in conjunction with the school. The theater seats between 900 and 1,000 spectators.
When choosing the musicals to perform, Darrow said they always consider musicals that have large ensemble casts to get as many participants on the stage as possible.
“Theater is a sport without being on a ballfield,” Darrow said. “It’s learning to work with others and be the best you can be.”
Darrow said she is a theater mom, having two kids. When creating the theater, she said she took the best elements of all the other programs in which her children had participated.
“It’s a safe harbor for people to learn how to perform, how to be audience members and how to be technicians,” she said.
A full schedule of performances, workshops and other events can be found on the theater’s website.
