Hackmatack Playhouse has drawn campers to its theater camp for 43 years. But in the last two summers during the pandemic, the camp's open air rehearsal space, picnic tables, fields and attached bison farm have been a particular draw for kids looking for safe and healthy diversions.
"We have always had theater kids - kids who like to sing and dance - coming back year after year," said Michael Guptill, owner of Hackmatack Playhouse. "But in 2020 and 2021we noticed that many of our campers were new to Hackmatack, thrilled to have a place to go where they can play games, create art and yes, sing and dance in the open air."
Hackmatack's all-day camp for campers 7 to 13 years old will run this summer from June 27 to July 15, with a final performance of "The Little Mermaid" on July 16. A stage musical based on the animated 1989 Disney film of the same name and the story by
Hans Christian Andersen, the show follows a mermaid who dreams of the world above the sea.
"There are numerous roles in the 'Little Mermaid' for each camper to shine," according to Camp Director Sarah Hashem. "That's one of the reasons I chose this show."
"The Little Mermaid" is filed with sealife creatures like Flounder, Sebastian and Scuttle, who help Ariel in a journey to reach he world above, as well as Prince Eric. Ariel goes against the wishes of her Father, King Triton, and gets tangled up with the sea witch, Ursula, and her two eel companions. Flotus and Jetsam.
The camp, which runs from 9 am to 3 pm, is broken into small chunks, with rehearsal mornings and afternoons, but also with times for snacks, morning stretches and check-ins. In the afternoon games and exercises are mixed with rehearsals before a closing circle.
Hashem decided to put on "The Little Mermaid" in large part because of the memorable characters and well-loved songs.
"The Little Mermaid has something for everyone-- campers, counselors, and the audience," she said. "This show offers each camper a chance to shine and have a role they can really get into."
She also thinks campers will have fun working on the staging, choreography and music. In addition, the show is more contemporary than "Peter Pan" and "Schoolhouse Rock," which were performed by campers in previous summers.
"At Hackmacamp, we want the campers to take part in crafting some of the set, props, and costumes. With all of the creatures 'Under the Sea,'" Hashem said. "I am excited to see the campers use their imagination and creativity for their costume pieces."
Coincidentally, two camp families told Hashem that "The Little Mermaid" was the show that their child had been working on at school when the pandemic hit and they never got to give the final performance.
"I am so glad that Hackmacamp is able to provide those campers an opportunity to put on the show," she said.
Hashem first worked at Hackmatack Playhouse in the pit orchestra in 2013. A woodwinds player who studied music education, she has played in the theater's orchestra, and has also worked in the box office and as camp musical director. She is a 2019 graduate of University of Southern Maine, went to Noble High School and lived her whole life in Berwick, before becoming a K-2 music teacher in Saco.
Among the other staff at the camp will be Sarah Corrow of Durham, NH, who will return as stage manager. Corrow, a theatre artist and educator - who, by the way, was named Miss Exeter - recently graduated from University of New Hampshire with a degree in musical theatre. She got into theatre in elementary school when she was living in Germany and has gone to theatre camp for eight years. Besides performances at UNH, Sarah was in the 2019 Prescott Park Arts Festival production of "Beauty and the Beast." This will be her seventh summer directing and choreographing musical theatre camps and programs.
Having been through the 2020 and 2021 summers, Hackmatack is ready for whatever the summer may bring. As in the past two summers, campers will be asked follow state Covid regulations.
Guptill noted the CDC rules have not affected the fun and success of the camp.
"Camp Hackmatack is kind of an inside outside thing anyway, but the last two years we both rehearsed and performed the show outside," he said. He acknowledged it can be more challenging to perform outside, "but everyone liked it so much we might do it again, even if we don't have to."
Camp costs $800 and enrollment is limited, according Guptill. Anyone who refers another camper to Hackmatack gets a $100 discount, he said. For questions or to enroll, families can call 207-698-1807.
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