The program was supported by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts.

LEWISTON – The L/A Arts Summer Theatre hosted 23 children ages 9 to 15, who worked with six staff members for four weeks on the top floor of Bates Mill, putting together two plays.

They staged the Broadway junior musical, “Dear Edwina,” and an abridged version of Shakespeare’s “The Tempest.” The final performances were given on Aug. 5 to a packed house of parents and supporters.

The summer program, just finishing its 10th year, utilizes various standards and “best practices,” including Maine Learning Results.

In addition to teaching performing and visual arts skills, the mission of the program is to provide a safe, nurturing environment for youth and to use the performing and visual arts as a way to build self-image and self-worth.

While some of the young actors have prior theater experience, for others, theater is a new and scary endeavor. By the end of the program, all the participants find new strengths in themselves and build friendships.

This year the program was supported by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. The funding allowed a higher level of financial assistance than in years past. It also paid for vital evaluation tools to be developed and allowed a lower student to staff ratio, permitting more individual instruction.

Although this summer is not yet over, plans are under way for next year’s summer theatre experience.