Riedel Foundation grant supports free summer camps at Bluff City Theater in Hannibal

HANNIBAL, Mo. — The George H. Riedel Foundation has awarded $6,000 to bring back a successful summer theater camp series for another season. The grant will allow the camps to be offered free to any child between the ages of 5-19.

Bluff City Theater will present three age-appropriate camps as part of the YETI program, a youth initiative to get kids interested and involved in theater. A fourth camp will focus on musical theater, with a full-length play as a finale in August. Registrations are open now.

“Today’s online world has virtually taken over creative play,” Jayme Brown, artistic director and CEO of Bluff City Theater, said in a press release. “Where previous generations played imaginary roles of cops and robbers, or cowboys and Indians, today’s children are losing out on creative and social development by playing video games. Through the YETI program, children get to imagine themselves as someone else while learning to work with others to create the shared experience of live theater.”

Another component of the youth initiative is the Young Playwrights program for middle and high school youth. Participants will write their own plays and stage reading performances. They also learn about the many behind-the-scene roles in theater.

“I’ve seen many plays at Bluff City Theater,” Riedel Foundation lead trustee Michael Bukstein said. “I’m always impressed with the caliber of live theater that we have in Hannibal. This youth program gives children something creative to do over the summer and hopefully inspires a lifelong interest in theater and the arts.”

The Riedel Foundation has been a major supporter of Bluff City Theater, awarding $84,000 in grants to the theater since it opened in 2014.

Registration for the free summer camps is open now, but space is limited. You can register and learn more at bluffcitytheater.com.