Parents Get Off-Stage Advice to Help On-Stage Kids at Middle PAC

COURT HOUSE — Many mothers and fathers are being given off-stage advice this summer to help their children act on-stage at the Performing Arts Center of Middle Township.
A 40-page booklet, in English and Spanish, prescribes steps for parents to take while their offspring are rehearsing and acting. Shore Productions summer camp musical, “The Little Mermaid,” will be presented at The PAC on Aug. 14, 15 and 16. The publication, called “Family Matters,” is described as “a parent’s guide to the magic of theatre.”
The booklet includes advice on everything from how parents can help children to handle casting disappointments to encouraging children to rehearse before a live audience at the dinner table in a form of family “dinner theater.” Most importantly, the booklet warns mothers not to be a “Mama Rose,” the pushy stage mother in the musical “Gypsy” about the life of Gypsy Rose Lee.
“Remember,” the publication advises, “having your child participate in theatre has little to do with creating a star. The objective of rehearsing and presenting a musical is to provide children with opportunities to develop life skills and have fun.”
This marks the third year for the six week summer camp, which includes all aspects of theatre and runs until Aug. 16. Under the direction of Kay Aspell, together with Jay Wynn, Andrew Bongiovanni and technical director, Bud Morey, it includes more than 60 youngsters between the ages of seven and 18.