PLUMAS LAKE, CA (MPG) - Running a kid’s summer camp and organizing a musical production, arguably two of the hardest feats to pull off, but at Rise Up! Youth Program for the Performing Arts this is just business as usual. The small nonprofit group turned heads in 2022 with their junior production of “Lion King” at Yuba College, now they’re back for round two — “Finding Nemo Jr.”

“We were so grateful that the California Arts Council decided to support our program again this year,” said Barkley-Brinson, Rise Up’s founder. “As we started planning for a follow up to our 2022 production of Lion King, I was drawn in by the music of Finding Nemo. I knew it was the perfect fit for our summer camp!”

With his vision in mind, Barkley-Brinson pieced together a team of theater professionals and enthusiasts including Shamaya Sutton, Sarah Hauk, Kevin Anderson, Raven Hunter, and Robin Lillie.

“This year's staff is really good.” said Anderson, the show’s musical director. “The collaboration is incredible, and I think that collaboration extends to the talented kids that make up our ensemble.”

While some might be used to the typical six-to-eight-week rehearsal schedule, Rise Up’s summer theater camp operates as a full two week intensive. Since July 15, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., kids have been rehearsing, playing and engaging with their creative team at Riverside Meadows Intermediate School in Plumas Lake — only taking the weekends off from their studies. To put this in perspective, the entire cast and crew get just 10 days to organize, prepare and stage an entire musical production.

“It's a really unique theatrical challenge, one that takes a lot of dedication and focus,” said Sutton, the show’s co-director. “I've been really impressed with Julian’s organization, and we've had an incredibly supportive team. Of course, working with the kids is fun but I've been equally impressed with the creativity of some of our parent volunteers and Rise Up counselors. We couldn’t have done it without them.”

In an effort to make theaters more accessible, RiseUp offered this camp free of charge to all children between the ages of 7 and 15. Enrollment quickly capped out at about 40 students and auditions were held from within this group to fill the needed rolls.

“Most summer theater camps audition students for their spot, but the way Rise Up does it makes it so that every kid is guaranteed inclusion from the start which can really help boost their confidence and break down those initial barriers,” added Sutton.

The culmination of all the participants’ hard work will debut at the Yuba College Theater in Marysville on Friday, July 26 at 6 p.m. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. Friday’s performance will be the audience's one and only chance to witness this under the sea adventure live and in person. 

Tickets are currently on sale online at tinyurl.com/riseupys for $20 each, or $10 for kids. Tickets will also be sold at the door on a first come first serve basis. The Yuba College Theater is located at 2088 N Beale Rd, Marysville.

Rise Up’s summer camp has been supported through grant funding from the California Arts Council. For more information, visit riseupys.org/.