TONY GUERRERO
Hays Post
Campers are suiting up into their favorite costumes in preparation for their Center Stage Theatre performance.
Center Stage Theatre is an organization that showcases the talents of individuals with disabilities.
The Center Stage Theatre performance is set for 7 p.m. Saturday at Celebration Community Church, 5790 230th Ave. It is free for everyone to attend and watch the campers dive into the exciting world of Comic-Con.
Camp director Annie Wasinger said the superhero-themed play mirrors the world's diverse range of people and personalities.
"If art is going to imitate life, it has to reflect the diversity of humanity, so the best art is when there's a diverse cast of characters," she said.
The show follows a group of friends attending Comic-Con for the first time, who compete in a friendly competition to see who can claim the title of best cosplayer.
The play features campers bringing to life iconic superheroes like Spider-Man, Batman, Wolverine, Captain America, and Mario, as well as infamous villains such as The Joker, Harley Quinn and Bowser.
It's a bird, it's a plane, it’s Tyler Jones as Superman, who said he is looking forward to this weekend and encouraged everyone to come and watch.
"I'm excited for the show, and I'm excited to be Superman," he said. "I've been toiling away."
Jones is a six-year camper and said his favorite part of camp is singing and spending time with his friends.
Wasinger said the atmosphere is always positive, and it is important to provide opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
"I see camp as putting everyone at center stage where they belong and correcting that wrong of excluding people from the arts because it's beneficial for everyone to have the opportunity to express themselves," she said.
The first few scenes will spotlight returning campers, like Jones, who set the stage for the story before everyone else joins in for the Comic-Con setting.
What sets this year's performance apart from previous shows is the larger cast size, with about 30 people involved in the production.
"There's such as a sense of collective acceptance for any expression of art," Wasinger said. "I feel like it's grown in energy over the years."
Wasinger said participating in theatre benefits everyone, including building confidence and encouraging people to step outside their comfort zone.
Putting together a play is challenging for anyone, but Wasinger recognizes that the show's cast features a group that the community may not be familiar with.
"I definitely don't think anyone will walk in and leave without a smile on their face, having met a friend or made a friend," she said.
Wasinger, a Hays native now living in Wichita, has been traveling to Celebration Community Church to direct, write and produce for Center Stage Theatre.
You can learn more about Center Stage Theatre Camp on its Facebook page and visit the Celebration Community Church website.
