HERE AM By J\.Iiclwel J)c,Sulvo Uplift was a Christian summer camp for middle and high school students held on Harding's campus. For over 10 years, Uplift Drama provided campers an entertaining way to express and live out their faith in society. The summer 2015 camp theme was "Send Me," and hundreds of teenagers spent time in worship, reflection and activities centered on growing their commitment to Christ. Uplift Drama, a 30-40 minute nightly performance, was a major component ofthe camp. This year's drama focused on roommates "J.P." and "Logan." Through a series of flashbacks, the scenes revealed the two were in a tragic car accident. The audience was taken through a roller coaster of emotions as Logan encouraged J.P. to live intentionally before he passed away. Actors took the stage after practicing for only a few days before the performances began. Senior Jesse Hixson, a interdisciplinary studies major, played Logan in the show. "This was different than any other theater I've ever done," Hixson said. "Rehearsal began on Wednesday before the Saturday performance. Practices were intense and lasted for about 10 hours, but we all ended up doing an excellent job." Marcus Neely, a youth and family minister at Downtown Church of Christ and Harding alumnus, had been involved with Uplift Drama on and offsince he was a student. Neely co-wrote the script for Uplift with Blake Hunter, a Harding alumnus and performer in the show. "The point of the drama is to tell a story that lands with a lot of people," Neely said. "We want people to live out their faith." Senior theatre education major Kelsey Sumrall played "Claire" in the drama. "Uplift Drama is like a visual representation of a sermon," Sumrall said. "The storyline is created to relate to young people." According to Sumrall, the actors and actresses in the show played emotional roles. "We had to feel the emotions of the characters. It was often hard to connect, and it caused me to think about things I've never really experienced," Sumrall said. "It was one of the most emotional experiences I had on stage while playing Claire." The performances were meant to change campers' perspectives and attitudes surrounding each year's theme. Since this year's theme was "Send Me," camp organizers and counselors focused on challenging participants to find what they were called to do. "Many campers could connect with the experience," Hixson said. "I was amazed that Marcus could write truth that is uplifting." , in,, .Junior Dw1cu11 !Hichuel pluys th<' rn/e of a .-;p<'ak('r at the func,.a/ of the two 111ui11 characters in the skit in .June. L'p/ift l)rc111w fe(ltllr<'d thl' sum(' <'lrn1·acte1·s in eve,·y pc1:/in·mc111ce sincC' its first perfunnc111n over 10 years CHJO. I Phuto cu111·tesy of Al<'x \'aides The Pied Piper~ put on a shou•for one of the nwny groups of chilclren they t>isited duriny their trip to Scotlunc/ in Afoy. The trip lasted three weeks und they pe1:fonnccl in uurious sC'iwo/s ond chw·ches. I Photo coiu·tesy of .Josh Robinson 0 H (; ,\ :\' I Z ,\TI O :\' S
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