Great expectations

Gary Moskowitz

HILLSIDE DISTRICT -- Darrell Bishop couldn’t believe it when he

noticed his dance students were hanging around after class every day,

practicing their moves without being told to.

Bishop, joined by his wife Jenny, daughter Gina and son Michael, is

amazed at how well his Burbank Summer Show Camp has been received by

parents and students eager to get involved in the arts.

The summer arts camp is a seven-week program of classes in acting,

dance and music for about 250 Burbank students, who range from 7 to 18,

at John Muir Middle School.

About 100 of the aspiring performers will perform what Darrell Bishop

calls a ‘mishmash’ of popular fairy tale themes set to music and dance

Thursday and Friday of next week at Muir Middle.

“These kids rise to the level of your expectations,” said Bishop, a

Burbank resident since 1996. “After next week’s performance, you will see

100 kids with their arms around each other and tears in their eyes,

because it’s over until next time.”

Whether dressed in ballet shoes and leotards or baggy shorts and

athletic shoes, girls and boys in the summer show camp learn to follow

instructions, work with each other and enjoy what Bishop thinks is a

sense of accomplishment.

Bishop said the teens in the group take a sort of parental role over

the younger performers, empowering them with a sense of responsibility.

“This is so much fun,” said 17-year-old Gina, who attends Burbank High

School and instructs students at the summer camp. “Even when we go home,

our family is still talking about dancing.”

Bishop said enrollment has quadrupled since last year. “We’re trying

to do our part and respond to an overwhelming demand in our community for

youth arts programs.”

IF YOU GO:

WHAT: Burbank Summer Show Camp performance.

WHEN: 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday.

WHERE: John Muir Middle School auditorium, 1111 N. Kenneth Road.

WHO: Open to public.

FOR MORE INFO: Call 558-5320.