The Lyric splits their summer workshops into two groups - one for older, and often more experienced actors, and another for younger kids who are ready to hit the stage!
This past weekend, the older group wrapped up eight weeks of rehearsals with three performances of Matilda Junior that drew rave reviews from the audience who was impressed by the excellence the 6th through 12th graders brought to the production.
Before opening night, the Brownwood News predicted audiences would leave talking about Tanner Gammon, who portrays Agatha Trunchbull, the awful bully that runs Matilda Wormwood's school. It’s a role that demands sharp comedic timing and commanding stage presence. When the curtain rose Gammon effortlessly embodied Trunchbull — drawing constant laughter from the audience.
Gammon will be a Senior at Early High School in the Fall and has only being doing theatre since his sophomore year. He says being apart of the Lyric community has encouraged him to dream big.
“I think going into Lyric shows made me realize that I don’t just want to do theatre as a hobby, I want to keep doing it throughout my life. It’s made me realize how much I love performing. Since I’ve started lyric shows I think I’ve grown a lot as an actor and a singer,” said Tanner.
For Tanner, the friendships he built at the Lyric mean the most.
“I’ve gotten to meet so many different people. I’ve made some of the closest friends that I have in my community at the lyric. It’s become this very safe community for me. Of just people of all different ages. It’s definitely like a second family,” said Tanner.
During intermission, Tanner’s first family, mom Rinda Gammon, raved about the show after seeing her son perform the first act.
Kids sign up for the theater camp knowing that they’ll have a role — but like any theater production — they have to audition.
Upcoming Brownwood High School freshman, Ava Vargas, has been auditioning for Lyric shows since her family moved to Brownwood in 2023. After performing in the ensemble for several productions over the last few years Vargas landed her biggest role yet as the gentle Miss Honey.
For Ava, The Lyric has given her a place where she could grow.
“I was a very shy kid. I didn’t really like talking to people much. I had alot of stage fright. I’ve gained a lot more confidence. I’m comfortable talking to alot more people now. I love making friendships and everything. I owe a lot of that to the lyric. It’s just impacted my life in such a positive way,” said Ava.
Ava’s mom, Cristin Vargas, says she didn’t expect to find this type of opportunity in Brownwood, Texas. She’s been proud as she watched Ava sharpen her talents under experienced mentors while learning an important life lesson.
Assistant Directing Manager and Head of Education Levi Packer says that the positive impact the theatre has on the kids draws community support.
“People in the community love to come out and see what these young people are working on because they spent their summer doing something in a healthy positive reinforcing environment. And then the community gets to enjoy the fruits of that labor and these kids go away and the reason they come back year after year is because they follow through on a project and on a vision and that’s empowering,” Levi said.
Each summer the kids work for two months to prepare their musicals. That means not just learning lines and where to stand when they say them, but songs and choreography, all in time for opening night.
Learning these skills in the safe space of the Lyric Theatre isn’t something that just happens by accident. College-aged interns keep the summer camps running, mentoring young actors through every rehearsal and performance.
Jesslyn Till is a sophomore at Howard Payne University who has been attending the kids camps herself since 2019. Now as an intern, Jesslyn reflected on how much she's grown since she did her first show at the Lyric.
Now, Jesslyn helps run productions behind the scenes while helping a new generation of young actors discover their confidence.
When the cast of Matilda Junior came out for final bows this weekend, audiences stood as they enthusiastically cheered the troupe. Outside the theatre, congratulations echoed through the lobby while the young actors enjoyed the exhausted adrenaline rush that marked the end of their weeks of hard work.
Next up, the young kids camp will bring Finding Nemo Junior to the stage. The third through sixth graders are putting the finishing touches on their show this week.
And after spending the summer working toward a common goal with kids from across the area, even the youngest performers already recognize how much the experience has meant to them.
Audiences can support this transformative experience for the kids and enjoy Finding Nemo Junior — from opening night July 31st until it closes on August 2nd, marking the end of the Lyric’s annual summer kids camps.
Information on the Putter & Roxie Jarvis Kids Workshops - https://www.brownwoodlyrictheatre.com/kids-theatre-workshop.html
Tickets for upcoming Brownwood Lyric Theatre shows - https://www.brownwoodlyrictheatre.com/tickets.html