CAMP July 24th - August 4th, 2017
TWO Performances Aug 5th, 2017
Disney's The Lion King has captivated the imagination of audiences around the world and this summer 25 META Theatre Campers had their opportunity to learn and perform in this one-of-a-kind musical, bringing the African savannah to life on stage at Mount Vernon's Lincoln Theatre with Simba, Rafiki and an unforgettable cast of characters as they made the journey from Pride Rock to the jungle... and back again, in this inspiring, coming-of-age tale.
2017 THEATRE CAMP photo gallery
META's summer camp production of The Lion King Experience utilized a rigorous, two-week curriculum culminating in two final performances, live on stage at the Lincoln Theatre in Mount Vernon. From acting and design, to creativity and collaboration, The Lion King Experience 2017 was based on a holistic arts-education program, that introduced 7-14 year old students to a wide range of theatrical skills including: performance, design, directing, writing and technical theater. META's The Lion King Experience also fulfilled many educational standards, including some Common Core State Standards, National Core Arts Standards, and National Standards for Music Education. So, whether our 2017 Lion King Campers are headed to Broadway or the boardroom, they learned skills that will last them a lifetime. Plus, they had tons of fun!!
The Lion King
Music and Lyrics By Elton John & Tim Rice
Book by Roger Allers & Irene Mecchi
Additional Music and Lyrics by Lebo M, Mark Mancina, Jay Rifkin, and Hans Zimmer
Based on the Broadway Production By Julie Taymor
Music Adapted & Arranged and Additional Music & Lyrics and Luau Hawaiian Treat written by Will Van Dyke
It’s a Small World written by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman
Presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI), All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI (mtishows.com).
META'S Lion King CAMP - lead by experienced theater professionals, who love what they do.
Director: Torie Giesen
… has been involved with theatre in the valley for the last five years. She has taught in theatre camps for Bayview Elementary, Theatre Arts Guild (TAG), and META performing arts. She recently produced Redfoot Theatre Group's production of The Winter's Tale and assistant directed META's The Little Mermaid. She has also performed in several shows, including TAG's Willy Wonka, White Christmas, The Rocky Horror Show, Skagit Valley College's Measure for Measure, and Redfoot Theatre Group's Taming of the Shrew and The Winters Tale.
Assistant Director: Matt Riggins
… has been working as a theatre teacher for 8 years. He has directed and taught kids at such places as Burlington High School, Theatre Arts Guild, META in Mount Vernon, and Fidalgo Dance Works in Anacortes, as well as many others. He was the director of TAG's Once Upon A Mattress, performed at the Lincoln Theater 2015 and also directed Redfoot Theatre Company’s production of Shakespeare’s The Winter’s Tale. Matt's also been cast in multiple META productions, including his role as "King Triton" in The Little Mermaid.
Vocal Director: Mikalah Barem
… graduated from Willamette University with a Bachelor of Arts in Music with a Vocal Performance focus. While there, she was a member of the top large choral ensemble and the pianist for The Willamette Singers, a Downbeat Magazine award winning jazz ensemble. Mikalah has taught at River City Rock Star Academy, as well as many summer theater camps, including 2016 TAG/META collaboration camp. She is a member of Music Teacher's National Association, Oregon Music Teacher's Association and Washington State Music Teacher’s Association. Mikalah is currently earning a second bachelor’s degree at Washington State University Spokane, where she has performed in productions of Pirates of Penzance, Princess Ida, and First Date in July.
Choreographer: Annabelle Vergne
… professionally studied and trained in Paris in the Russian Vaganova School style of ballet with masters Serge and Solange Golovine, Irina Grejbina, and Nelly Kolytcheff from the Bolshoi. Beyond ballet, her studies also included Modern, Jazz, Character, Flamenco, and Belly Dance. Following her studies, Annabelle worked as a ballet instructor, performer, and assistant choreographer at the Ecole de Danse de la SFP in Paris. Since moving to the Pacific Northwest, Annabelle has taught at Turning Pointe Dance Center, Pacific Dance Company and Northwest Ballet School. Currently, she is teaching at Fidalgo Danceworks, Premiere Studio NW and offers private workshops and coaching. Her teaching method prioritizes correct body alignment, the use of breathing to help with stretching, the importance of the mind-body connection, and communicating the joy of dancing.
Intern: Adia Sky Bowen
… has always known theatre. At 3 years old she made her first stage debut in META's production of 7 Brides for Seven Brothers going on to participate in over 16 local community theatre productions over the next 11 years. Her most memorable and recent roles have included "Grizabella" in the musical CATS, as well as "Ariel", the starring role in Disney's The Little Mermaid. Her dreams are Broadway bound ...look for her there :)
Intern: Adrian Lane
… began performing with META in 2011 and has since played leading roles in CATS, Our Town, The Little Mermaid, Oliver! and other productions.
Intern: Claire Andrews
… has been performing since 2011 with Shakespeare Northwest, META Performing Arts, Skagit Valley College and Theater Arts Guild. Claire is currently working on Edward II and Hamlet. She has a passion for Shakespeare, Spanish and playing the piano.
Intern: Nate Wheeler
… got first involved in theatre with META's 2013 production of The Outsiders and since went on to take leading roles such as "Tybalt" in Romeo & Juliet - The Musical, "Gus the Theatre Cat" in CATS, and "Autolycus" in Redfoot Theatre Company’s production of Shakespeare’s The Winter’s Tale.
Intern: Moses Marlin
… first debuted (5 months old) as the infant Arthur in Northwest Children's Theatre's original musical Celtic Tales of King Arthur and his since performed in many META productions, most recently, as "George Gibbs" in Our Town, "Macavity" in CATS, as well as supporting roles in The Little Mermaid and Romeo & Juliet - The Musical. He has also enjoyed two summers with Shakespeare & Company in Lenox Massachusetts, and shared the stage off-Broadway with Bill Irwin and David Shiner in their original Sketch comedy play, Old Hats, at Signature Theatre.
