Amélie Summer Camp

In the spring of 2022, CVU students learned that our fall musical would be Amélie. Two weeks before school resumed in August, dozens of students joined Mr. Brownell and me (Stacy) to audition for this whimsical story. 

Camp officially kicked off with a read-through of the show, with the next few days devoted to the musical score. Students worked their way through every song with Mr. Brownell and set a goal to master and memorize the opening sequence of the show. An intention they met! By the following Friday, 44 students performed the first four numbers with choreography for the CVU faculty and staff. ​

Behind the scenes our tech crews were hard at work. Set pieces were being built and painted, sewing machines were on the move, and paper mache was everywhere. Jeff Tobrocke’s shop had been properly dusted in a layer of newspaper and colored tissue. ​

Week 2 meant movement. Students welcomed our choreographer, Carla Wuthrich, and they hit the ground running. In total, nine songs were choreographed over the first three days. Thursday the cast enjoyed a movement workshop which embraced all levels of experience to deepen and polish each students’ abilities.  And all the while, focus remained on preparation for Friday’s preview. 

Layered into this process was the beginning of a larger conversation on content and purpose. Following the read-through, we began to assess what was at stake in the telling of this story. What it meant to survive childhood trauma and neglect.  The psychological impact over time. Isolation. Cycles. 

Breaking cycles.

Through the beauty of imagination and the surreal, Amélie manages to balance what might otherwise be heavy content with levity and joy. What a gift in itself. The insights from these students were profound. And as we all came to a unifying understanding of the material and its importance, individual character work began. Much fun was had diving into characters' history, intention, motivation, even the way they walked.  

Crews were still at work and pieces were taking shape. Waves and carousel horses from paper mache; even a massive goldfish to be worn by Addison Hoopes (playing the part of Fluffy). Dresses were sewn and the raspberries were ripe. It was time for the preview!

On our last day of camp the cast and crew were abuzz with last minute touches and sharpening of moves to ready the space for the faculty. After nearly 100 hours of hands-on rehearsal and preparation these students were thrilled to share their joy for the arts with the teachers who help them most to grow. We were all so grateful for the experience and everyone who helped to make it possible.  

Above all, this story is about connection. How one kind deed offered can ripple its way through a community. A message we are eager to dive more deeply into in this uplifting and  creative project. ​

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Stacy Chadwell is CVU's Theater Director. Come see Amélie, the charming musical based on the beloved French film, November 11, 12, and 13th, at the CVU Theater.