Wicked Magic Productions Summer Camp: Wicked Magic Productions Summer Camp is a unique and exciting opportunity for children who have a passion for the performing arts. This camp offers an immersive and collaborative experience where campers can explore their creativity and hone their skills in drama, music, and dance. One of the main draws of Wicked Magic Productions Summer Camp is its focus on magic and illusion. Campers will have the chance to learn and perform amazing tricks with the guidance of professional magicians. They will also have the opportunity to create their own magic routines and showcase them in front of an audience. In addition to magic, campers will also have the chance to participate in other theatrical activities.
Director: Jenny Latimer
This camp will run from 9am-3pm ; however, campers should expect to spend additional time each day learning lines and reviewing music and choreography. The stakes are higher than ever in this dynamic stage musical, as SpongeBob and all of Bikini Bottom face the total annihilation of their undersea world.
In addition to magic, campers will also have the chance to participate in other theatrical activities. They will have the opportunity to work on improvisation skills, learn about stagecraft and technical aspects of theater, and participate in ensemble-based performances. The camp is open to children of all skill levels, from beginners to advanced performers.
Extended School Year students put on a ‘Wicked’ show
Students in the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District’s Extended School Year program put on a show last week, turning the musical “Wicked” into a movie, with students and teachers in the starring roles.
Courtesy Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District The students came alive on the big screen. Alexa Fico, left, starred as Glinda. Courtesy Vonn Brickmeier Vonn Brickmeier and his mother, Kathy were the movie’s co-producers. The duo formed Autotroph Films. Courtesy Vonn Brickmeier Liam Lindbom played the Tin Man. Courtesy Vonn BrickmeierEvery summer, students in the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District’s Extended School Year program put on a play, but with a unique twist. For the past six years, the production chosen by the district’s summer school program has been recorded and made into a movie, thanks to Kathy Brickmeier, a paraprofessional at Sanford H. Calhoun High School, and her son, Vonn.
The Extended School Year program is for students with Individual Education Programs who have been deemed in need of schooling during the summer so they do not regress educationally, socially or emotionally. ESY ran this summer at Merrick Avenue Middle School, and there were eight classes, for students ranging from seventh-graders through age 21.
Beth Johnson, a teacher at Calhoun for 28 years, has taken part in every production, and spoke highly of their importance to ESY students. “The theater piece became such an important part of this summer program because it really allowed kids to find that voice, to learn to act, to become more self-confident, and to follow directions,” Johnson said. “It’s all of the skills we look to provide them.”
Kathy Brickmeier, who has worked at ESY for the past seven years, said the program’s teachers and paraprofessionals found that the students liked acting, and at first she suggested they put on a play. “It was good,” she said, “but we found that not all the students could participate in it, because many of them had difficulty memorizing lines, and a lot had stage fright.”
So Kathy spoke with her son, Vonn, who has experience in acting and production work, and they toyed with the idea of creating a movie instead. “This way, they’d be more comfortable,” she said. “There wouldn’t be an audience, so they’d just be comfortable with us.”
ESY students have since taken part in a variety of film productions, including “Suessical the Musical” and “Cinderella.”
The Brickmeiers formed the company Autotroph Films after the success of ESY’s early productions, with the goal of perhaps eventually branching out and helping other districts and special-education students create productions of their own. For now, Autotroph mainly works with Bellmore-Merrick.
This year, the students filmed a version of the musical “Wicked.” The final flick was about 45 minutes long, and screened on Aug. 11 in MAMS’s auditorium. It featured performances big and small from students in the program, as well as teachers and district administrators. Kathy Brickmeier said she read the book “Wicked” in order to create a modified script and screenplay for the students to follow. Her son is Autotroph’s video editor, camera operator and co-producer, and oversees the recording and editing process, which makes use of green screens, stage lighting and special effects.
ESY students have the option to participate — no one is required to do so. Some are comfortable with having just a single line, and others are eager to take on starring roles. Typically, one person is chosen for each lead character.
“The only year we didn’t do that was when we did ‘Alice in Wonderland,’ because Alice was such a huge part, and there were girls that wanted to be in it,” Kathy explained. “But for the most part, we try to stick to one actor, one actress, per character.”
Being in front of a camera boosts students’ confidence, Kathy said. “As soon as they put on a costume, they become a different character, and they get comfortable,” she said. “Kids that don’t normally speak, or speak much — they come alive when they’re on camera, and that’s really what it’s all about. We want them to feel proud of themselves. We want to boost that ego.”
Parents, Kathy added, who either attend the screening or view a copy of the recording afterward, are often blown away by the final product. “Parents have said to me, ‘We watched it eight times,’” she said. “They have it — they watch it with their families, they watch it on holidays, they send it out to relatives. It’s a treasure.”
The environment that the Brickmeiers create, according to Johnson, empowers every student involved. Johnson told the Herald about one student who, with Kathy’s help and encouragement, made a two-minute speech about his passions in life.
“He was a big train person,” Kathy recounted. “So, we ran a train video behind him when he was speaking, which empowered him. We found what worked for him.”
Johnson said it has been “incredibly wonderful” for the ESY program to benefit from Kathy’s and Vonn’s talents. This was Johnson’s last summer at ESY, because she is retiring from teaching, but she will remain involved in district programs in the future.
ESY concluded on Aug. 12, and the Brickmeiers said the community could look forward to many more productions in the years to come.
“Wicked,” Johnson added, was selected for a reason. “Kathy picked it, and Vonn, because they always believe in the power of the individual,” she said. “They tap into the joy of performing, and they produce a movie where the kids are the magic. The message is understanding acceptance, love in its many forms, and finding your place in the world.”
Instructor: Ruthie Allen
The experienced staff at Wicked Magic Productions Summer Camp will provide personalized instruction and guidance to ensure that each camper is challenged and has the opportunity to grow as a performer. The camp takes place in a supportive and inclusive environment, where campers can feel free to express themselves and take risks creatively. They will have the chance to collaborate with other campers and learn from each other, fostering a sense of camaraderie and teamwork. At the end of the camp session, there will be a final performance where campers can showcase all that they have learned and accomplished. This is a thrilling opportunity for campers to perform in front of friends, family, and the community, and to feel a sense of pride in their achievements. Overall, Wicked Magic Productions Summer Camp offers an unforgettable summer experience for children who love the performing arts. With its focus on magic, inclusive environment, and personalized instruction, it is the perfect place for campers to explore their creativity, develop their skills, and build lifelong friendships..
Reviews for "The Magic of Friendship at Wicked Magic Productions Summer Camp"
1. Sarah - 2 stars: I was really disappointed with the Wicked Magic Productions summer camp. The instructors seemed unenthusiastic and unorganized, and there was a lack of structure and clear direction throughout the program. The activities and workshops promised in the brochure were not adequately delivered, and it felt like a waste of time and money. Overall, my child did not have an enjoyable experience and we will not be signing up for this camp again.
2. John - 1 star: I can honestly say that the Wicked Magic Productions summer camp was a complete letdown. My daughter had expressed a strong interest in learning magic tricks and performing, but unfortunately, this camp did not deliver on its promises. The staff lacked knowledge and expertise in magic, and they failed to engage the campers in any meaningful way. My daughter left feeling unfulfilled and discouraged, and I would not recommend this camp to anyone looking for a quality magic program.
3. Emily - 2 stars: My son attended the Wicked Magic Productions summer camp and was left feeling underwhelmed. The curriculum lacked depth and variety, and they did not offer enough opportunities for the campers to practice and develop their magic skills. The facilities were also subpar, with outdated equipment and limited resources. The overall experience was mediocre, and we won't be returning to this camp next year.
4. Michael - 2 stars: As a parent, I was disappointed with the Wicked Magic Productions summer camp. The organization and communication from the staff were poor, and there were several instances where my child's safety was compromised. The activities were not well-planned or thought out, leaving the campers feeling bored and uninterested. I would strongly advise against sending your child to this camp if you're looking for a well-structured and safe environment for them to learn and enjoy magic.