Camp Disney

Coalition of African Americans in the Performing Arts’ Summer Arts Camp Kids Get A Class With Cast Members Of ‘Aladdin’     

If you can’t get a genie to hook you up with three wishes, the next best thing would be to meet cast members from a magical Disney play like Aladdin.

The Coalition of African Americans in the Performing Arts (CAAPA) held its second annual CAAPA C.A.M.P. (Cultivating Artists Musicians and Performers) funded by the recent grant of $28,000 from the Landover Educational Athletic Recreational Non-Profit Foundation (LEARN), a charitable, non-profit fund with the Prince George's Community Foundation.

With this grant, they were able to host a performing arts-focused camp keeping their promise to advancing Black musicians through youth education. 

During the free one-week camp, the 50 campers, age 5 to 13 years-old, were privy to a surprise workshop on Aug. 1, with Disney’s Aladdin cast members, Cornelius Davis (Ensemble) and Charles McCall (Ensemble). The camp took place at the Dodge Park Elementary School in Maryland. 

CAAPA is a non-profit 501c3 arts organization in support of black classical musicians and other minority artists in the performing arts. Through their motto, “Bringing Color to the Classics,” CAAPA is dedicated to its cause: community outreach, arts education, audience development, performance opportunities and arts partnerships. 

The CAAPA C.A.M.P. allows artist-educators to help campers explore and discover their own individual talents, self-esteem and confidence. Campers are also introduced to a variety of possibilities in the visual and performing arts.  The focus is on opera and classical music to help youngsters feel comfortable and knowledgeable when talking about Mozart, Beethoven and well-known black classical musicians. 

During the week, campers spent eight hours a day working on a performance showcase, which premiered to family and friends Aug. 2. The surprise workshop helped add dance flare and confidence to their Friday showcase. 

Disney’s Aladdin is playing at the Kennedy Center Opera House through Sept. 7.