The Youth of Lewis County, in partnership with the Tug Hill Artist Network, is excited to announce a free, intensive summer Renaissance Adventure Arts Camp for youth ages 12–17, offering hands‑on instruction in music and dance, theatrical movement, character development, costume design, and improvisational acting. This program creates a space where youth can think creatively, dream up a character, and bring that character to life for the Lewis County Renaissance Faire where they will be immersed into the crowd and entertain with their new-found theatrical skills.

In July and August at the Lowville Town Hall Theater, the camp will offer sessions led by a team of professional working and teaching artists. The program culminates in a student‑designed, interactive performance presented during both days of the Lewis County Renaissance Faire, giving youth a public platform to showcase their creativity, collaboration, and artistic growth. The program emphasizes the full creative process—from concept to public performance—while giving students meaningful agency over their artistic choices, including choosing  a name for the ensemble.

A key component of the camp is its three‑part character development sequence, which guides students from historical understanding to imaginative creation. In Character Quest, youth step into the world of the Renaissance, exploring daily life, social roles, values, and struggles while comparing them to their own experiences. They examine Renaissance archetypes—merchants, nobles, artisans, healers, travelers—and consider how magical or fantastical elements might fit into a Renaissance‑inspired setting. By the end of this session, each student selects an archetype and begins shaping their character’s identity.

In Persona Playhouse, students transform their early ideas into fully realized personas. They learn how writers and performers use motivations, flaws, hooks, and internal conflicts to make characters feel human and compelling. Students craft backstories that explore relationships, challenges, dreams, and emotional depth, and they participate in peer feedback sessions that help refine their characters and bring them to life.

Then, in Heraldry Hall, students explore the visual language of identity through Renaissance heraldry. They learn how coats of arms communicated lineage, values, and personal symbolism, then design their own coat of arms to represent their character. Once conceptualized, students create and assemble character cards to carry with them the day of the event—including their character’s name, title, backstory summary, key traits,  symbolic imagery and full dress photo—creating a complete Renaissance persona ready for performance.

In Garb & Gear, students learn how Renaissance clothing, colors, and accessories communicate identity and status. Using upcycled and donated materials, they design and construct costume pieces that reflect their character’s role, personality, and backstory. They also explore how props, symbols, and visual details help performers quickly communicate who they are to an audience—an essential skill for interactive Renaissance Faire performance.

These character‑building and costume creation sessions support the camp’s broader curriculum, which is organized into four modules: character development, costume design, Renaissance music and dance, theatrical combat, and improvisation. The final module is The Players’ Roundtable: Buskers, Bards & Barbs, where students bring their characters to life through a three‑session, pod‑based performance-style workshop.

They rotate through music and dance, storytelling, and safe theatrical combat, learning how to engage an audience with movement, voice, humor, and choreographed “swordplay.” As Buskers, they explore music, dance, and physical comedy; as Bards, they practice storytelling and crowd interaction; and as Barbs, they learn witty banter and playful, exaggerated combat. Through collaboration and improvisation, students develop the agility, confidence, and theatrical instincts needed to interact with Renaissance Faire visitors in real time. Their chosen ensemble name will debut at the Faire as they perform as a roaming improv troupe throughout the weekend.

The instructors include: Travis Widrick, a singer/songwriter, poet, and dance instructor teaching Renaissance‑inspired music and dance; Tanya Roy, a professional teacher, writer, poet, and improv performer with HarmoNNY Performing Arts Community, leading improvisation and character embodiment; Jim Goodenberry, an award‑winning actor and director teaching theatrical combat, creative movement, and safe stage‑fighting techniques; and Kelley Martin, a writer, teacher, and program administrator teaching character creation and supporting youth‑envisioned costume design.

Students of all experience levels are welcome, and youth advocates will be available for support. While not all students may choose to perform, every participant will contribute meaningfully through design, prop creation, or behind‑the‑scenes roles.

This program is not just about performance—it is about collaboration, leadership, problem‑solving, and giving young people ownership of a creative project from start to finish. The Renaissance Faire audience will see the final product, but the real transformation happens in the weeks leading up to it.

The Youth of Lewis County invites families, educators, and community partners to help spread the word. Class and registration information will be released next week on both the Youth of Lewis County,  Lewis County Renaissance Faire, and Tug Hill Artist Network web pages.

“This project is made possible with funds from the Statewide Community Regrants Program of the New York State Council on the Arts, with support from the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature and administered by the St. Lawrence County Arts Council.”

About Youth of Lewis County:
The Youth of Lewis County is dedicated to creating accessible, youth‑centered arts and leadership opportunities that strengthen community, foster creativity, and support the well‑being of young people across the region.