CLARKESVILLE, Ga. — What looks like a fully staged musical after months of rehearsal is, in reality, the product of just two weeks of intensive collaboration at Habersham Community Theatre’s Summer Performance Camp.
The youth production of Disney’s “Descendants,” set to run June 26–28, brings together students from multiple Northeast Georgia school systems in a fast-paced program designed to mirror a professional rehearsal process while building confidence, leadership and technical theater skills.
A professional-style model in two weeks
Lindsey Brackett, director of the camp and drama teacher at White County Middle School in Cleveland, said the program is loosely modeled after professional and educational theater programs she has studied and observed.
“The basic gist is that you cast the show, give them their scripts, and tell them to come in prepared to work—already knowing their lines and familiar with their music,” Brackett said. “We treat these children like they’re professionals.”
She said the approach initially came with uncertainty, but the students quickly exceeded expectations.
“We were a little nervous about what that was going to look like, and then they came in and they knew it all,” she said.
Building a cast—and a community
While the timeline is short, cast members said the experience quickly became about more than memorizing lines and choreography.
Emma Evans, a senior at White County High School performing as Mal, said the cast bonded almost immediately.
“We spend so much time together, and in that time we all just kind of clicked,” Evans said. “This show has made me have so many new friendships.”
For Evans, the experience extended beyond the rehearsal room.
“The people around here are just so kind and welcoming,” she said. “Even Miss Brackett and all the stage people—they’re just amazing.”
Brooksy Crocker, a seventh-grader at Banks County Middle School, said she joined the camp after participating in “The Little Mermaid” earlier this year.
“I love theater, and I did ‘The Little Mermaid’ back in April, and I’ve always loved looking for auditions here,” Crocker said. “I saw that they were doing a summer camp, so I was like, ‘Hey, Mom, can I please?’”
Crocker said theater has helped her grow in confidence.
“No matter where I’m at, I always feel myself,” she said.
Leadership emerging on stage
For older students, the camp has also become an opportunity to lead.
Coley Biddy, an eighth-grader at White County Middle School, said working with students from different schools and experience levels required flexibility.
“The most challenging part has probably just been flexibility when it comes to working with such a wide range of actors, all ages, all grades, all different counties,” Biddy said.
She said the experience has pushed her into a leadership role.
“Being responsible as a leader and as a friend to all of these cast members, it’s just been a really great opportunity to step up,” she said.
Biddy also noted that many participants already knew each other from previous productions, some for years.
“We’ve already spent time off the stage together,” she said. “We’ve known each other for almost six years now.”
A fast process built on preparation and trust
Brackett said the success of the condensed rehearsal model depends heavily on preparation before camp begins.
“The basic gist is that you cast the show and tell them to come in prepared to work,” she said. “We were a little nervous about what that was going to look like, and then they came in and they knew it all.”
She said the structure allows students to work at a professional pace while still building ensemble connections.
“It’s been wonderful to watch them get to know one another,” Brackett said. “They come in early, and they immediately start playing games together on stage.”
Behind the scenes collaboration
About 10 adults supported the production, including co-director and choreographer Amber Watson, music directors, a costumer and parent volunteers. Teenagers also stepped into technical roles such as stage management and set design.
“They just kind of plugged in randomly—kids would just show up to help,” Brackett said.
Watson said one of the biggest challenges is adapting choreography to a wide range of experience levels.
“Some kids have been taking dance their entire life, and some of them have never even been told stage left from stage right,” Watson said. “You’re really teaching them the fundamentals of acting and dance at the same time.”
Choosing the right show
Brackett said “Descendants” was selected because of its ensemble structure and appeal to young performers.
“It’s like having a lot of different types of characters that you can pull,” she said. “We knew the kids would love it.”
More than a performance
Despite the tight timeline, Brackett said the production comes down to trust, flexibility and student growth.
“They learned those in a day and a half, and we were like, ‘Wow,’” she said.
She said she adjusted the rehearsal approach during the week to balance intensity with enjoyment.
“You’re on a timeline and you have to push them really hard from the beginning,” she said. “But then we realized they were exhausted, so we built in more camp-style activities.”
The result, she said, has been a cast that not only performs together but grows together.
Performances of “Disney’s Descendants” will run Friday, June 26, through Sunday, June 28, at Habersham Community Theatre.
For more information, visit https://www.habershamcommunitytheater.com/summer-camp.
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