Why not try Something New this Summer?

For all of us, the tendency is to stick with things we know. If you’re already good at dance, take dance at camp, for example. We fear failure, and- that’s only human.  But there are few ‘safer’ places to try something you have never done before than camp. Centauri Arts Camp is a supportive, nurturing, encouraging environment, and campers who have the courage to try something completely new are often surprised to discover a whole new side to themselves!

Melissa Freillich has been a camp counsellor with us for the past few years. She loves writing, theatre, the classics… and stage combat. In fact, stage combat would probably feature first on Melissa’s list. Why? I’ll let her explain…

“When I took my first stage combat program at 14, I was just trying something new.  Little did I realize how much it would challenge me.  As an incredibly tiny girl, my first worry was that I would not be able to keep up. I was fairly intimidated.  Previously, whenever I’d encountered something in which I did not expect to excel easily, I would simply quit.  Piano, dance and tai kwan do went that way.  But to my own surprise, I stuck with stage combat.  For the first time, I realized the power of falling in love with something that I wasn’t already good at.  I have never worked so hard or learned so much about myself.  These days, new techniques and moves still don’t come naturally to me.  But I enjoy the chance to work and improve.  Stage combat and Centauri didn’t just give me my career plan (although it did that) or the chance to take the first steps to achieve it (although that too, is the result of camp).  It gave me a chance to learn about myself, grow up, and never have to see myself as a quitter.”

Since taking Stage Combat with us over several summers, Melissa has also gone on to further study, in the hope of becoming a Fight Director in the future. This summer, she returns to Centauri for her second year as an intern in the Stage Combat department, combining her love of theatre, stage combat and teaching in order to help others who may be trying stage combat for the very first time.

Check out our stage combat and theatre camps here

Centauri Summer Arts Camp
www.centauriartscamp.com