Acting their age
at the Norcom Center

By Tom Waring
Times Staff Writer

The Norcom Community Center and South Philadelphia-based theater company director Jackie Ruggiero Jacobson shared a common goal.
The community center, at 10980 Norcom Road in the Far Northeast, wanted to offer a theater program. And Jacobson wanted a venue to promote her theater company.
The two sides got together during the winter at a conference sponsored by the city to plan "Independence Starts Here: A Festival of Disability Arts and Culture."
There, Jacobson met community center assistant director Laura Fekete. The two talked, Jacobson visited the center’s renovated theater and they agreed that a theater camp for kids would be a perfect summer offering.
The camp is set for weekdays mornings from Aug. 20 to 31 at the community center. Youths age 7 to 18 are welcome to enroll. They should wear comfortable clothes and sneakers because they’ll be moving from activity to activity.
In Fekete’s view, the camp provides an alternative for children who want something to do besides sports. She added that it’s particularly timely because many of the city-run programs end this Friday.
"A lot of kids, at this point in the summer, are bored being at home," Fekete said. "There are still two weeks before school starts. This gives them something to do for part of the day."
Jacobson runs Straw Flower Productions, which is known for its edgy comedies. Her company has performed at the Philadelphia Fringe Festival and the Walnut Street Theatre. She’s also an actress and playwright.
In addition, she has written programs for the New Jersey State Aquarium and taught at the Philadelphia Young Playwrights Festival and Southern New Jersey School of Performing Arts. Earlier this summer, she offered an acting class at the Rebecca Davis Dance Studio in South Philadelphia.
The theater camp will be her first experience teaching a class made up entirely of young people.
In planning the theater camp, she’s crafted a program that caters to novices and youngsters with theater experience.
"It doesn’t matter what level you’re at, you’ll get something out of it," she said.
Norcom Community Center is best known for its newly expanded fitness center, computer center and culinary and creative arts studios.
The center believes the Northeast can always use more culture and that young people need an early introduction to the arts.
"It’s important. They get to spread their wings and test their ability," Fekete said.
In the past, the Norcom staff has produced shows such as Annie and Charlie Brown.
The upcoming camp will be just the beginning of a larger concentration on the arts. Auditions are scheduled next month for a November production of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.
In October, the center will host an art show and play as part of "Independence Starts Here."
Next spring, Jacobson will come to the center for an all-ages theater workshop that will conclude with the students writing their own play.
The center wants to build a lasting relationship with Jacobson, and that’s fine with her.
"I’ll probably be doing a lot more at Norcom, teaching and doing shows," she said. "The camp is our introduction to that community."
The camp’s focus will be on storytelling, scene work, improvisation and pantomime.
Jacobson is looking forward to teaching the students to break down the language in Shakespeare.
Also, Gina Leigh will teach the art of mask making.
"The kids will be learning a little bit of everything that goes into making theater," Jacobson said.
Children’s theater, according to Jacobson, is a mix of fun and fantasy. Students use their imagination and creativity and gain a sense of play.
After two weeks, Jacobson expects the young people to have a greater understanding of the theater.
"At the end of the camp, they’ll make a presentation to their friends and family," she said. "It will showcase all that they’ve done." ••
Straw Flower Productions will present a theater camp for kids ages 7-18 at Norcom Community Center, at 10980 Norcom Road. The camp will run weekdays from 9 a.m. to noon from Aug. 20 to 31.
The cost is $120. For information, call 215-698-3060 or visit www.nccfun.org
Reporter Tom Waring can be reached at 215-354-3034 or twaring@phillynews.com