07/26/2026
✨Nineteen! That’s the number of days we spent together at Camp Create! In that short time, these remarkable young artists built the world of Hadestown: Teen Edition from the ground up. Learning a 2-Hour production in such a short time is no small feat, especially one as complex as Hadestown. They designed costumes, practiced scenic painting, learned intricate harmonies and rhythms, and took on demanding choreography. Even more impressive, they learned how to work together; listening, supporting, and lifting one another through every challenge. They took risks, trusted the process (most of the time), and committed to the story they told on stage!
✨Watching them grow into a true ensemble has been magical. This summer, we welcomed 40 young performers - some brand new to the world of theatre, and others with years of experience performing in various local programs. They filled our rehearsal space with creativity, curiosity, and heart.
✨This work would not be possible without an EXCEPTIONAL staff - Will McQueen, Ryan Wardell, Chelsey Emershaw, Ava Elkins, Ethan Stover, Hannah-Rhea Collins, Holden Howard, Lauren White, Maddie Horn - I am endlessly grateful for a team of educators, artists, and mentors who bring so much passion into every lesson. Their commitment to these students and to the process is extraordinary.
✨My sincere gratitude to Michael McNulty, Pro-Art, and the Rapha Foundation for trusting me with the role of Artistic Director for Camp Create! It is a privilege I do not take lightly. To Rosa Bott, Diana Burden, Becca Clippard, Cedric Hale and Ian Frazier-Ostrander; without their time and talents, the success of our summer program would not be possible. And to our donors and sponsors, your support turns this program from an idea into a lived experience.
✨Special thanks to Nicholas Sturgill and Central High School for providing our performance space and to Wise County Public Schools, Bobby Crabtree, and Randy Carter for ensuring our students could get here each day. A huge thank you to Jan and Billy Thompson and the 9:00 Club for their continued generosity and for sharing pieces from their props and costume stock. Thank you to UVA Wise Theatre for providing construction space and extra lighting equipment. To the parents, guardians, family and friends of these young artists, thank you for your trust and for encouraging them to show up fully and bravely.
✨My deepest thanks to my parents, Eric & Michelle Mullins. The behind-the-scenes heroes of Camp Create. From late-night set painting and problem-solving to the countless tiny details no one ever sees, you make this work possible. Momma — thank you for capturing the heart and magic of Camp Create through your beautiful photographs. I love you both and could not do what I do without your support.
✨Thank you to everyone who told a friend, shared a post, put money in our donation basket, volunteered, and MOST IMPORTANTLY - thank you to everyone who SHOWED UP for these students! If you don’t think it means anything, think again. . .because it means EVERYTHING! Please never stop showing up - it matters so much!
✨Thank you to our CAMP CREATE! STUDENTS! You worked so hard and you committed to this program, your cast mates, and yourselves! Look what you did in NINETEEN DAYS! 🤩 It’s truly astounding! Keep dreaming! Keep working! Keep believing in yourselves because you are capable of incredible things! We have you for a few weeks, but we hold you in our hearts forever. We believe in you and we support you! 🥰
✨Once more, thank you to EVERYONE for your support! We can’t wait to Sing It Again! ~Ashlyn 🌹
✨NOTE - Our show program will be available online for a few more days. You can access and download it here - REFRESH your browser for the best view:
https://online.flippingbook.com/view/262834972/
✨We will be posting more and more photos from our shows, so be sure to FOLLOW us for highlights!
