A Message from the Director

Almost 20 years ago, the summer camp, now known as Center Stage Kids, began at Atlantic High School as part of the Volusia County Community Education Program.  It is there that I was offered a job teaching and directing a production of Aladdin. After major budget cuts hit Volusia County Schools, I was told that the program I took over, would be dissolved as well.  Knowing how much this program meant to our community's youth (and their parents), I was going to fins a way to ensure that we could continue teaching musical theater to the kids in Volusia County.  

I became incorporated and decided to do the camp, on my own. And over the years, the program has had several different homes, (Atlantic High School, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, The Sunshine Park Mall, South Daytona Christian Church, First Baptist Church of South Daytona, Spruce Creek High School, Mainland High School)   But no matter where the camp was located—no matter what stage we built our set upon; we have always tried to stay true to the original focus:  To enrich the lives of our children by giving them a fun and educational outlet for creativity and expression; in short—to SING, DANCE, ACT, CREATE, AND PERFORM. 

In this time, we have produced more than 30 musicals and even helped Disney and MTI develop several.  Not every child that has graced our stage has become a professional actor, director, dancer or singer, (many have!) but all of them have gained confidence, made life-long friends, learned to work as a team, solved problems, and discovered the beauty in being unique.  I applaud each and every child that has been through one of our summer programs, but also thank the parents for fostering these wonderful qualities in your children. 

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-David Bell