Excitement was spilling onto the stage at the Carroll Arts Council in Westminster this past week, as 36 youngsters ages 8-12 prepared for their production of "Aesop's Fables."

Near the end of their second week of Summer Theater Camp, the youth were putting finishing touches on scenery, creating posters for publicity, memorizing lines and learning blocking for a July 16 performance.

"I love it," gushed Emily Johnston, 12, of the two-week camp.

"It helps us be the best we can be on stage," said the Westminster resident, who attends Carroll Lutheran School. "We have a lot of fun every single day and we get to learn a new thing."

Olivia DeCesare, 15, who attends Winters Mill High School and lives in Westminster, has attended the annual camp since she was "little," she said.

This year, she said she was enjoying her first year as a counselor.

"It's actually a lot of fun," Olivia said of being a counselor. "You did what they did -- and I get to help now. I always like the final performance."

Julie Herber, associate artistic director of the Frederick-based Maryland Ensemble Theatre and artistic director for the MET's Fun Company, which runs various camps and programs for youngsters, has been holding theater camps at the arts center in Westminster for the past six years.

The purpose of the camps, Herber said, is to give youths an overview of theater, from acting to costume design, set design, publicity and more.

"We take all these steps they learned and put it into production," Herber said. "In performances, the most important thing is acting. In camp, we really want to give them an overall view."

The first week of camp is devoted to learning about the different aspects of theater -- technical things, makeup, costumes, etc.

During the second week, campers prepare for a full production by putting the things they've learned into action.

For instance, this past week, as props were being constructed by one group, another was reviewing scenes. On the center's main stage, a group was learning its blocking -- or movements on stage -- for a scene as they acted out their roles.

"Each word is important," Herber informed a young actress on the stage. "Everything is clean. Diction."

In another room, another team was creating scenery. At the end of the second week, the campers staged the full production for family, friends and anyone else who wished to attend. The play was scheduled for July 16.

For the last three summers, Stephanie Hawkins, 12, of Westminster, has attended the camp, and said she learns something new each year.

"I always have so much fun here," Stephanie said, as she painted a city scene. "I enjoy doing plays. (The camp) is different every year. You get to do things yourself and get to be creative."

Many of the campers will go on to audition for the Carroll Arts Center's two children's productions. Every fall, a middle school production is staged, while in the spring, an elementary-aged production is held.

All are under the direction of Herber's troupe.

"The thing I like with this age group is they're ready for anything," Herber said smiling. "They have so much enthusiasm and no fear. It's great."

Besides honing theater skills, the camp benefits the youth's self esteem, said Tabetha White, the Carroll Arts Center's theater technology coordinator.

"It's really a good way for kids to express themselves," White said. "Kids come in really shy and by the end, they're up on stage laughing."

Sandra Oxx, the arts center's director, admitted to being a little envious of the campers.

"To go to a theater camp with real life theater directors, lights, makeup -- it's very exciting," Oxx said.

"I wish I was a camper."

Next on stage ...

The Carroll Arts Center, 91 W. Main St., Westminster, will host another camp in the fall, geared toward middle school students. Auditions for the fall musical, "Groovy, a Musical Comedy Tribute to the 1960s," will be Sept. 7, 4-6 p.m. Children in grades six through eight are welcome to come. For more details, call the arts center at 410-848-7272, or go to www.carrollcountyartscouncil.org.

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