Students of Red Bank Regional’s Visual and Performing Arts Summer Academy audition for the dancing ensemble, as part of the August 10 presentation of THE LION KING JR.

Press release from Red Bank Regional High School

On Wednesday, August 10, the Visual and Performing Arts Summer Academy students of Red Bank Regional High School will present their staging of “The Lion King Jr.” Over 50 students will take part in the 7 p.m. performance, a 60-minute abbreviated version of Disney’s Broadway hit “The Lion King.”

Based on the popular animated film, the show features such Elton John-Tim Rice songs as “Circle of Life,” Hakuna Matata” and “Can You Feel the Love Tonight,” with the young actors of the VPA program portraying such beloved characters as Simba, Nala and Mufasa.

Supervised by RBR music teacher Kristopher Zook, the Summer Academy program provides an exploratory visual and performing arts program for middle school students and rising freshmen. In many instances, this program has provided an introduction to the RBR’s acclaimed VPA for many of its majors. The program is offered over five weeks in the summer and is divided into a first half, two-week rotation of all visual and performing arts including dance, drama, crafts, creative writing, piano, percussion, recording arts, visual art and vocal music. During the final three weeks, campers choose to concentrate on either the musical theatre tract (including acting, dancing and singing) or the visual arts tract, which includes fine arts and handcrafts (a special preview art exhibit, on display the night of the performance, will feature the creative art work of other campers).

The program operates with staff members who teach in the RBR Visual and Performing Arts Academy during the school year, in addition to as guest artists. Many RBR VPA students and graduates return each summer as counselors to the campers. The program is totally self-sustained by tuition, and there is always some funding available to provide scholarships for those who demonstrate a strong desire to participate but cannot afford the program.

The August 10 performance of “The Lion King Jr.” will take place inside the auditorium of Red Bank Regional, located at 101 Ridge Road in Little Silver. Tickets, available at the door, are $5 per person.