Leadership
Of my 12 years of doing drama, working with the younger kids was definitely my favorite part. It’s just incredible to see them evolve throughout the summer and to watch them grow as human beings into much stronger individuals. It’s a privilege to help mentor this group of kids who someday are going to be in my position and become the mentors of a new generation of performers.
—Emma Lonergan (age18)
Innovation
What the Hilltown Youth Performing Arts Programs is doing is treating the youngest people in this rural community as emerging artists; and treating them as future activists, actors and activators, as future citizens and future leaders. It’s social. It’s economic. And I’d even say it’s spiritual.
—Matthew Glassman (Co-Artistic Director, Double Edge Theatre)
Creativity
We live in a society that tends to be very age segregated, I love that this camp is not. In addition, you do an excellent job of modeling and teaching kids what it means to be creative, compassionate, expressive community members! My children took away an understanding of how fun, hard work and dedication can be combined to produce a high quality performance art piece.
—Charlie Flynn (parent ’15 & ’16)
Sustainability
Organizing and helping lead this workshop helped me maybe as much as the people who were there to be helped. The world needs more spaces like this, and honestly so do I. The community holds itself together, and loves every single person it holds.
—Zach Arfa (age 18) Student-Faculty