(WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Campers at Chicago Kids Company had less than two weeks to learn music, lines, choreography, and create costumes and set pieces for their production of Willy Wonka Junior.
At a dress rehearsal the day before opening night, the kids said they were nervous, but mostly excited.
"I like the feeling when they say 'five minutes till places' or something cause then you're like oh no, I'm nervous, I'm excited. I can't wait. It's happening."
Eily plays Ms. Teavee. She and other campers like Jenna and Natalia are practically CKC veterans. They started at CKC's fairytale camps- offered for kids as young as 6.
Natalia plays Grandpa Joe.
"The camps were definitely the upbringing of theater for me," she said.
"It really just opened the doors to how acting, singing, and dancing can really connect people and bring people together and it can tell stories."
Jenna plays Phineas Trout and an Oompa Loompa.
"I don't know my life without every June, July, whenever the camp is every year, without starting my summer or ending my summers here," she said. "This makes my summers. It's like the best part every year. I love it."
CKC has even made an impression on newcomers, like Aidan who plays Willy Wonka.
"I haven't been here too long and already I can't imagine my summers without CKC...it has been honestly really fun there have been so much memories you just can't forget," he said.
"I've met so many new friends, I've gotten so much support and good advice for theater, and it would definitely be something I want to continue."
And that kind of passion is something co-founders Paige Coffman and Jesus Perez say they envisioned when they started the camps 31 years ago.
"To see the kids every summer, it brings us back. We loving having them come back and do it again, so seeing their joy, brings us joy."
"We've heard many times parents say 'My child has found his home, has found their place. This is what makes them happy. this is what makes them be themselves.' Parents have said to us, 'I've never seen my child smile like that before.' so if anything, just building the confidence is amazing to us."
CKC will be putting on Disney's Newsies Jr. for its next Musical Theater Camp session from July 17 through July 28. There are still spots available.
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