Camp Spotlight: Florida Studio Theatre Summer Camp (+ VIDEO)

Today is Tuesday, June 26, and it’s Meatball Day at Florida Studio Theatre. Every camper in sight is wearing a sticker that reads, “Happy Meatball Day,” along with a photograph of an adorable white-haired woman who just happens to be related to FST’s director of education, Beth Duda.

Duda has been serving up her Grandma Dorothy’s secret meatball recipe at camp for the past 10 years. It’s a recipe she’ll never divulge, and it’s a dish that keeps campers coming back for more.

This week marks the camp’s show week, and all campers are busy rehearsing everything from monologues to dances. The culminating recital, free and open to the public, takes place from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Friday, June 29, at FST. Call 366-1350 for information.

BY THE NUMBERS
300 — Total number of campers this summer
10 — Years that Duda has been making her grandmother Dorothy’s meatballs for camp
30 — Campers perform more than 30 monologues, pieces, scenes, dances and songs
4 — Number of weeks of camp

 

{ CAMPER SPOTLIGHT }
We interviewed Kaila Cohen, who gave The Observer some insight into her latest written work.

What’s happening at camp?
At camp this week, it’s our show week.

Rumor has it you wrote your own piece to perform.
It’s about seeing how a person is, on the inside and not on the outside.

How long did it take?
It took just one day, but I had a lot of help.

Who helped you?
Our wonderful director of education, Beth. I’ve just been learning a lot about that in school, and I had to get it down, somehow.

Where do you go to school?
Temple Beth Sholom.

What’s your favorite thing about camp?
My favorite thing about coming here … I just like having fun. It’s like my home. I like being here.