Jack and Annie of The Magic Treehouse returned to the Center for Education and Performing Arts (CEPA) stage on Friday, June 23, for the culmination of CEPA’s annual Summer Drama Camp.

Campers ages 6-18 took over the stage, some of them performing for the first time. They first saw the script just two weeks prior on day one of camp.

Entitled “The Magic Treehouse – Pirates Past Noon” the play followed protagonists Jack and Annie, played by Breanna Epperson and Daniel Kitchen, respectively, on a fantastical adventure complete with pirates, treasure, and a generous helping of magic for good measure.

Campers sang and danced, memorized and rehearsed,  while high school helpers worked backstage to design and customize props and the set. The final product resulted in a fun, lighthearted play that people of all ages came out to enjoy. 

Drama Camp was taught by veteran actor and Pell City High School drama teacher Ginger McCurry and gave kids the opportunity to play theater games, learn improvisational skills, work with technical equipment and build performance techniques.

Beginning in July, an Adult Acting Class will be offered. Leslie Gray Warren, a veteran actor and director, will be teaching the class. Warren has been teaching acting on the university level for more than five years. She also serves as the Spotlight Program Director at CEPA. 

Adult students will also have the opportunity to learn theater techniques. Classes will focus on vocal strength, honest listening and communication, physical relaxation and simply bei ng a real person on stage. 

“You don’t have to be an actor to need an acting class,” says Warren. “The skills actors learn are translatable to almost any occupation. I mean, who couldn’t stand to be a more confident, more effective communicator and public speaker?”

Classes will be Tuesdays and Thursdays, July 11 through August 17 from 6-8 p.m. with a showcase performance on the final evening. Cost is $185 per student or $300 per couple. Space is limited to 18 students. 

For more information about upcoming acting opportunities, to register for classes, and see more upcoming events contact (205) 338-1974 or visit pellcitycenter.com.