With a dramatic display of glowing candles for hands, Ben Cook gives his all as he dances the part of Lumiere in "Beauty and the Beast."
Ben, 10, plays the role of the gregarious candle during St. Gregory College Preparatory School's Minds Alive! Leadership and Innovation Summer Camp.
"I enjoy how I have these candles that I can turn on and off," he said. "It's fun, and I'm learning how to act."
During the two-week session, the young actors are learning about auditioning, costuming, lighting, sound and, of course, acting.
Olivia Rusing, 11, plays the part of Beast. "It's just so fun because I've made a lot of friends," she said.
Stephanie Rehwaldt, 10, said she has learned "there are no leading roles."
"They are all important," said Stephanie, who plays Knife.
People are also reading…
Campers at Minds Alive!, which runs for two sessions in June - registration is over - choose from offerings including science, robotics, cooking, sculpting, painting, digital filmmaking and French storytelling.
As the musical theater group rehearsed, other campers learned cake decorating in the kitchen at St. Gregory, 3231 N. Craycroft Road, as part of cooking camp.
Xavier Farhang, 11, carefully decorated a cupcake with bright green frosting.
"I really like cooking but didn't know how to do that much," Xavier said. "Instead of letting my grandma or my mom do it, now I can cook. It's awesome."
Campers have made pizza, pasta, sourdough bread and pierogies, among other dishes.
Jamie Sousa, 11, said he signed up for the class because he might like to be a chef someday. "I'm always cooking with my grandma, and I love it," he said.
Joseph Ainza, 11, decorated a sunflower cupcake with a red M&M ladybug for his mom.
"Now if my mom can't cook, I can cook for her," he said.
Across campus, young artists created masterpieces.
"I like creating new stuff and experimenting with colors," said Joseph Steimer, 10, as he carefully painted a box.
Said Sophia Duclo, 11, "I love seeing what kind of stuff can come out of you that you didn't know was in there."
To contribute a story, go online to azstarnet.com/foothills
