By Karen Rice
Official Kids Mag
This summer, 55 young performers spent
a week at the Song & Stage Bootcamp
at Hughes Brothers Theatre in Branson
developing their singing and performance
skills and learning from professionals in the
industry.
The camp, now in its seventh year,
welcomes 6 to 18-year-old campers from all
over the country, including Arkansas, Texas,
Oklahoma, Indiana, and as far away as New
York, California, Utah and Arizona.
"We've had kids come back all seven
years," said camp director Jason Hughes.
"Every year we have a handful of new kids.
It's fun to watch them develop and grow
year after year. We try to give them a lot
of knowledge and as they go through the
bootcamp they gather a large tool chest. A lot
of the growth happens after the camp."
You don't have to be a professional to
join in the fun. Some campers are beginners
looking to improve their basic vocal and
performance skills for their own enjoyment.
Others are experienced performers looking
to network with and learn from professionals
to succeed in the music and entertainment
industry.
Jason and some of the other Hughes family
children often participate in the camp, and
although the Hughes kids have experience
being on stage, Jason said, "It's fun for them
to grow and learn with the other kids."
The Hughes family has been performing
for more than 40 years and is known as the
world's largest performing family. Jason has
been performing most of his life, from the
time he was about 8 years old, he said. His
four brothers, their wives and children are
also a part of the Hughes Brothers Theatre,
which has been delighting audiences of all ages
for more than 20 years in Branson.
Song & Stage campers are asked to come
to camp prepared with a few songs to
perform. The camp focuses on singing, "but
we've also had dancers and instrumentalists,"
Jason said.
After campers initially perform their songs,
they are evaluated and placed with teachers.
They work on their best song or sometimes
even choose a new song, depending on their
experience.
"Some kids have never sung a solo, others
have had multiple leading roles and have
performed a lot," Jason noted. "We work on
specifically what their needs are. It's a learning
process from wherever they're at."
During the week-long camp, the students
attend master classes and workshops that
cover a lot of subjects, such as acting,
developing a relationship with an audience,
auditions, choreography, movement, improv,
how to put together a portfolio, and tips
on the business of show business. They also
rehearse a group number throughout the
week that is performed at the end of camp.
Musical kids take the stage
at Branson Bootcamp
summer summer
for their for their
Singing Singing
28 • SEPTEMBER 2023 • www.Of f icialKidsMag.com
