Long Lake Camp for The Arts Fund

My name is Travis Powell and there is no place on earth I love more than Long Lake Camp for the Arts ! Long Lake is a sleep away summer camp that has critically impacted my life.  This camp has been instrumental in taking me from an introvert to someone willing to try new things outside of my comfort zone.  Below is a snapshot of this transformation that took place last summer:
 
Art was still new for me, so I was not entirely sure how large of an impact being fully immersed in an art community would make on me. After I got to the camp, I immediately found myself in the audition room. Anybody who wanted to be in a play or musical would audition one after another on the main musical stage. One by one campers went by reading a short passage or singing a brief portion of a song. As they came to me, I declined an audition hoping to only work backstage. I ended up signing up for assistant directing a musical and called it a day. The following day was callbacks. I was expecting a relaxingly lazy day as my friends were off being considered for shows. I was lounging about in the grass when a director I had gotten to know the previous year expressed interest in me for a play. His name was Tim, and he claimed to see a performer within my admittedly slightly introverted shell. I told him my definitive answer was no and under no circumstances would I go to some pointless callback for a show I didn’t want to be a part of. However, a couple of hours later I found myself subconsciously walking towards the callback, not fully comprehending why. I figured if I did get a role it would be a minor one at most. A small role was fine for me because I figured I wouldn’t be investing too much time or effort into something I did not want to do. Doing decently in the callback, I found myself hoping for a supporting role at most. Despite my hopes and expectations, I found myself shocked to look on the cast list for the play Almost Maine with my name next to an important part of the show. I was slightly disappointed at first, thinking I wouldn’t do a big role justice, but as rehearsals continued I found I was having much more fun with a play than I ever had without one. By the time the final performance ended, I was filled with energy and a newfound passion.
Seeing how I was staying at Long Lake for six weeks, I decided to audition for a musical. I had spontaneously turned outgoing, but didn’t want to question out of fear I would turn back. I got called back for a few shows and ended up in a production of Les Miserables . It wasn’t the largest part in the show, but I had started to enjoy theater so much I found I didn’t need a prominent part in order to have fun. I found an enjoyable sense of success for allowing myself to ditch the comfort zone I had lived in for most of my existence, and start to open my mind to more activities outside of my comfort zone. 

I'm looking forward to directing, acting, improv, stage managing and learning the piano this summer.  If you are able to help support my Long Lake fund know that I will be forever grateful.  Your generosity will be playing a key role in my personal growth while enhancing my knowledge in all aspects of the Arts.

 Travis