Students in the Greater Ocean City Theatre Company’s “Stars” program displayed their talents in a show to the delight of a jam-packed room of family and friends.
The Stars program is a weeklong camp for students from age 13 up to adults who have physical, cognitive or developmental disabilities. The program is geared toward giving participants an outlet for social interaction, skill building through improvisation and character-building exercises. The campers also practice vocal warm-ups, tongue twisters and focus on artistic collaboration.
And on Friday, Aug. 16, the culmination of all their hard work shined through during a show with the theme "Places Around The World," at the theatre company studios at 1501 West Avenue in Ocean City.
Michael Hartman, founder of OCTC, called the Stars camp, “an incredible program.”
“A critical part of OCTC's mission is to provide quality theatre education experiences for the community. We are proud to create an inclusive and loving space for participants of all abilities to grow and thrive through the magic of theatre,” Hartman said.
Over the years, the Stars camps have had anywhere from a few participants to 20. All of them, Hartman noted, have been fantastic.
The campers enjoyed instruction from co-teachers with plenty of experience in theatre. Morgan Kirner and OCTC member James Craver teamed up to provide instruction and a whole lot of fun for the campers.
Kirner said she grew up in Galloway Township “being a part of every theater camp I could.”
“It's where I created community, friendships, found my voice and a way to express myself,” she said.
So, in 2017, Kirner moved to New York City to pursue a career in musical theater after getting her bachelor’s degree in fine arts from Boston Conservatory.
But despite her talent, she said, she felt like she was “striking out everywhere.”
Kirner, of Linwood, got in touch with her friend and former college classmate, Rachel Boelter, about DreamStreet, a nonprofit New York-City based theatre company for adults with developmental disabilities.
“I reached out and got thrown into the mix,” she noted.
Being from South Jersey, Kirner wanted to offer options for theater arts to disabled and differently abled people, she said.
“Being from Galloway, I know a lot of people, but not enough to get a whole program started. Michael jumped on board immediately when I presented the idea to him in spring of 2022,” she explained of Hartman.
And the Stars program was created, she said.
“The theme of our first show was "The Wizard of Oz" and the first eight students were shining stars, as I knew they'd be,” Kirner said.
Since then, there have been two other sessions, including the one that just ended on Aug. 16.
“Everyone should have a place where they can express themselves fully,” she said, adding that the hope is for the program to continue to grow at OCTC.
The program will be offered on Tuesday evenings, with a Halloween-themed showcase on Oct. 29. Registration is beginning next week, Hartman said.
He noted that the program is in operation thanks to generous donations from the community and the region.
“The theatre company relies on the support of generous donors so that we can continue to cultivate impactful programming,” he emphasized.
With that in mind, he said, the theatre company “has embarked on an ambitious goal to raise $17,000 by the end of our 17th Season.”
To learn more about ways to support OCTC, call 609-398-1118 or visit oceancitytheatrecompany.com.
The Ocean City Theatre Company held a show featuring "Stars" Camp performers on Aug. 16. (Photos courtesy of Kerri J Photography)
