Feature: CAMP BROADWAY FAMILY FINALE at The Smith Center For The Performing Arts

Camp Broadway held each summer at The Smith Center for the Performing Arts instills the love of musical theater in children. Camp Broadway participants ages 10 to 17 have rehearsed during the week of July 16 for the Camp Broadway Family Finale to be held on July 20.

During the week of camp, over 150 children and youth were trained in musical theater skills including singing, acting, and choreography from top theater professionals like Las Vegas composer Keith Thompson.

One of this year's Camp Broadway participants is 13-year-old Sarah Mibulano, a Congo native who is part of the CCSD (Clark County School District) Refugee Impact Program. Refugee children who have emigrated to Las Vegas are helped on transitioning to life in Southern Nevada. In spite of the obstacles she has faced in life, Mibulano is passionate about pursuing her love for performing.

"I want to learn how to speak on stage," Mibulano said. "I want to go into the theater as a career." She also participates in the English language learners program through CCSD and The Smith Center.

Mibulano is happy to perform in the Family Finale to show off her new skills and acting abilities. "I make everyone laugh, and I like being funny. My dancing might make people smile too." Mibulano will take choir when she returns to school in the fall.

Louisa Lemos, the director of Family Finale, also has a background in theater including performing in "Mamma Mia" and other productions in Las Vegas and New York. This production means so much to Lemos since she was living in Vegas when The Smith Center opened and had participated in Camp Broadways for all of its seven seasons.

The finale will include scenes from "Singing in the Rain" and "42nd Street." The fun part is that when the students arrived on July 16, they did not know the lyrics or dance steps.

"To be able to put together these two shows by the end of Friday [July 20] will astound the audience," Lemos explained. "The kids can soak in the theater, learn, and then experience what they have accomplished which is outstanding.

Camp Broadway participants will complete another season at The Smith Center on July 20 taking away valuable experiences and new friendships when the school year begins. For more information, visit thesmithcenter.com.

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