The late Susan Andrew performed her final role with Webster City Community Theatre as Mrs. Van Daan in “The Diary of Anne Frank.” Karina Murray, left, played Anne.

Since 2013, Webster City Community Theatre has hosted summer theatre camps for children. The objective is to develop an interest in the theatre arts in young performers.

In addition to giving students new skills and building their confidence through theatre, the program serves as a training ground for the community theatre volunteers of the future.

From this year forward, the summer student classes will be officially known as The Susan Andrew Summer Children’s Theatre Program.

The change has been made possible by Cindy W. Anderson, a childhood friend of Susan Stocks Andrew, who was a longtime member of the WCCT theatre family. Andrew passed away in the fall of 2024. Donations made to the program will be used to reduce the cost of registration for the children.

Andrew, her friends recall, was one of the most beautiful faces and kindest souls to ever grace the WCCT stage. She acted, sang and volunteered in numerous capacities in countless shows since 1988. In that 1991 production of “Steel Magnolias,” she took on the role of the young newcomer, Annelle.

While facing her declining health, she managed in her final years to perform as Mrs. Van Daan in “The Diary of Anne Frank,” Eloise in “Who Needs a Full Moon?” and Sister Sophia in “The Sound of Music.”

Andrew moved to Webster City as a University of Iowa graduate and was employed, among other places, as city editor, then lifestyles editor of The Daily Freeman-Journal.

This year, students will audition, rehearse and perform a musical play alongside three adult mentors from the Footlighters Traveling Playhouse, Coralville, all in a single week, August 4 to 8 as part of The Susan Andrew Summer Children’s Theatre Program.

This summer’s play is “The School for Spies,” a one-hour play written by Katie Colletta. Music is by John Sifford. It will be performed on Friday, August 8, at WCCT, beginning at 6.30 p.m.

Loween Getter of WCCT provided the following description of the play:

“It’s a brand-new year at the School for Spies, an elite training program for spy recruits, run by the Global Intelligence Agency. But when the powerful Moon Cube goes missing under the GIA’s watch, the school is thrown into turmoil. Your mission, should you decide to accept it, is to join a world of secret agents and espionage to crack the case. Choose your allies wisely and keep your ears and eyes open … all is not as it seems in The School for Spies.

Registration for the camp opens today and is limited to 40 students. Register online at www.webstercitycommunitytheatre.org. The nonrefundable fee is $45 per student. Registration deadline is July 21, but will close earlier if spaces sell out before then. You will receive an email confirmation of your student’s registration. If you have questions, or wish assistance in registration, phone Loween Getter at 515-297-0846 or email her on grandmaweengetter@gmail.com.

Students who are 7 years old by August 4 through those entering eighth grade this fall are eligible for registration. Campers who sign up agree to come to practice each day from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., and must bring a personal water bottle and sack lunch daily.