By Robbie Dernehi
Guest Writer
The end of June saw some packed houses at the Peacock Performing Arts Center in Hayesville. Fifty-eight children ages 5 through 16 years old performed my production of “Beauty and the Beast’s Secret Garden” on June 22 and 23.
Children from Clay, Union, Cherokee and Towns counties along with some from Atlanta and one from as far away as Los Angeles participated in a two-week summer camp that culminated in a two-hour musical production.
Abby Elmore led a team of four volunteers in the creation of fabulous costumes while choreographer Piper Faulk and music director Kristen George added to the unique story written by Dernehl.
It was Dernehl’s 16th year creating these shows and this one seemed to top them all. Although it was a “Beauty and the Beast” story it was not a love story. Instead it took on the theme from “The Secret Garden” of a crippled boy whose cousin came to visit and helped save him and all the others at the manor from a spell cast by a mean sorcerers.
The children played two sold out houses and got standing ovations from both. The amount the children learned in two weeks was astounding and all are eager to come back next year. For children who love performing, this experience is like no other.