Scholarships available for performing arts camp

Share Your Voice Foundation, an organization that believes in the transformative power of collaborative creative experience, is offering full scholarships to disadvantaged Flathead Valley teenagers.

The scholarships, which are available to teens ages 13 to 17, are for a weeklong Empowerment Through Performance Workshop with arts education professionals and trainers. The workshop will take place July 22-27 in Whitefish.

Share Your Voice, now in its seventh year, uses the workshops to help teens improve their confidence, overcome their shyness and better adapt to social situations.

“The [Share Your Voice Foundation] experience encourages young people to stand on their own feet and learn to express themselves authentically. Our goal is to give these teenagers a chance to shine,” said Marshall Friedman, chairman of the foundation’s board.

In just six days, through the unique mesh of the creative fields of writing, performance, music and film, young participants learn to nurture their creativity, build self-esteem, develop important communication and team-building skills, and ultimately learn how to express themselves in a positive way.

“My daughter attended the Empowerment Through Performance Workshop and I had no idea the depth of the experience. ... It changed her life. [She] cites the experience of the workshop as the turning point in her life with regard to self-confidence and the ability to make and keep friends,” said the parent of a participant in the 2008 workshop.

Participants include teens from diverse backgrounds. While some may be affiliated with community support networks and organizations, others are often talented individuals living in remote or rural areas. All have a need and a desire to learn to share their voice by exploring their individuality and talent.

Over the course of the workshop, participants work with professional educators and guest artists to develop self-awareness through movement classes, voice projection and performance preparation, as well as exploring songwriting, working with the camera and team-building exercises.

This year’s workshop culminates in Night at the Landing, a live performance event created and performed by the workshop participants. The performance will take place at 7 p.m. July 27 at Stillwater Landing near Whitefish.

Full scholarships are provided for each participant, but space is extremely limited. Potential participants are encouraged to apply early. Applications are now being accepted through June 7.

The Share Your Voice Foundation is also calling for local businesses and organizations to step forward to sponsor the workshop cause. Cash donations, in-kind sponsorships and volunteers are needed.

For more information and to download application materials, visit www.shareyourvoicefoundation.org or call (888) 806-5700.