GLEE Summer Camps Emerge Nationwide

GLEE summer camps are being created throughout the United States, the Chicago Tribune reports.  Camps based on the hit television show have been started in Illinois, North Carolina, Florida, Arizona, Indiana and Utah, the Tribune states.

The GLEE camps, the Tribune reports, are usually for children and teens between eight and seventeen, run for one to two weeks, and feature a final performance.  However, they vary in format, with some creating storylines based on the television show and some simply using the music.  Camp directors told the Tribune that, as GLEE only serves as an inspiration for their summer camps, they did not need to get official permission from the show's executives.

GLEE follows an optimistic teacher, Will Schuester (Morrison), who - against all odds and malicious cheerleading coach Sue Sylvester (Jane Lynch) - inspires McKinley High's Glee Club to conquer the world one singing competition at a time. The group of aspiring stars includes Rachel (Lea Michele), a pint-size diva with powerhouse pipes; Finn (Cory Monteith), the gullible quarterback with rock-and-roll blood; Kurt (Chris Colfer), the fashionable soprano with a heart of gold; diva extraordinaire Mercedes (Amber Riley); geeky guitarist Artie (Kevin McHale); Tina (Jenna Ushkowitz), the punk rocker with a sweet side; pregnant cheerleader Quinn (Dianna Agron); and the arrogant Puck (Mark Salling). Will is determined to make the glee club great again with the help of his colleague and love interest Emma Pillsbury (Jayma Mays).

In its premiere season, GLEE has featured guest appearances by a wide range of talented performers, including Jonathan Groff, Kristin Chenoweth, Idina Menzel, Jonathan Groff, Molly Shannon, Neil Patrick Harris, Mike O'Malley, and Olivia Newton-John.

GLEE is produced by Ryan Murphy Television in association with 20th Century Fox Television. Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk and Ian Brennan are co-creators of the series. Murphy, Falchuk and Dante di Loreto serve as executive producers, while Ian Brennan serves as co-executive producer.