Take it from the top: Wharton Center expands repertoire with camp at Detroit’s iconic Fisher Theatre

A long-running theater program for greater Lansing-area youth recently expanded to Detroit as part of a new partnership. Take It From The Top summer camps offer students the opportunity to practice singing, acting and dancing while learning from Broadway professionals. Take It From The Top at Wharton Center began in 2008 and now hosts over 100 students ranging from second to 12th grade for a five-day intensive. The program also hosted an advanced workshop this year for rising eighth grade to college students. Take It From The Top operates in other performing arts centers across the county but has been an integral part of Wharton Center programming since its inception.

This summer, Wharton Center for Performing Arts expanded its partnership with Take It From The Top in East Lansing to an additional venue in Detroit for a five-day intensive for rising fifth to 12th grade students from Aug. 5-9. The five-day intensive program focused on singing, acting and dancing — all led by Broadway professionals. The program culminated in a showcase for friends and family at the historic Fisher Theatre in Detroit.

“I’m thrilled for the opportunity to bring our ‘Take It From The Top’ Wharton Center program to Detroit. Most of our teaching artists and myself have performed at the Fisher Theatre on Broadway tours. Being back in Detroit and having the opportunity to give back to this wonderful community and its young artists is pure joy,” said Take It From The Top Founder and Executive Director Paul Canaan.

Fifty-eight students participated in the Detroit camp and the two age groups put on a showcase of songs from popular musicals including “Shucked,” “All Shook Up” and “Something Rotten!”

“These are also some of the most talented students we’ve seen this summer. The passion, dedication, respect for each other and our instructors, and the heart they bring each day are truly overwhelming. We move fast and have thrown a lot of material at them this week, and they are rising to the challenge. Each night, we find ourselves gushing about them over dinner,” Canaan said.

Nyla Rozzell, an eighth grader from Detroit saw an advertisement for the camp and thought it would be a great way to better her skills.

Nyla Rozzell, an eighth grader, performs during Take It From The Top.

“Everyone has been so nice and welcoming, “Rozzell said. “It’s a nonjudgmental environment, and everyone is rooting for you to succeed.”

Aaron Jackson, a recently graduated senior from Farmington Hills, Michigan, won an award at the Sutton Foster Awards, which included a scholarship to attend the camp. The Sutton Foster Awards are a celebration of high school musical theater across the state of Michigan. Aaron was the recipient of the Spirit Award, which is presented to a student who is a positive, hard-working and community-minded participant.

“I enjoy how everyone pushes each other to succeed,” said Jackson.

Jackson plans to attend Oakland University in the fall as an incoming first-year student, Jackson also said, “The camp has been fast-paced and has helped me feel more prepared for college.”

Aaron Jackson, a recently graduated senior, preforms during Take It From The Top.

Behind the scenes, a group of staff from Wharton Center work feverishly to make each camp a success. This year, that group of individuals included Hope Still, a senior at Michigan State University from Birmingham, Michigan, who is pursuing a degree in stage management and a minor in arts and culture management. Still has been a Wharton Center Institute intern for three years and focuses on supporting educational programs and office administration. This is her first year assisting Wharton Center’s camp team.

Hope Still at work during Take It From The Top.

“We have kids on all different levels, so it’s great to see them do what they love and learning from the industry professionals at the same time,” Still said. “It allows them to explore new skills and try new things in an accessible, safe and inclusive environment.”

Still discussed the benefits the internship had on her studies while at MSU. “I’ve gotten the chance to volunteer on load-ins and load-outs for the touring shows but also I’m applying the things I’m learning every day in the classroom and then get to use those experiences as examples for my classes.”

Registration for Take It From The Top takes place in February each year. More information is available online on the Wharton Center website.