Mackerel is the character’s name.

“It’s not a fish,” she said. “It’s a pirate.”

The hardest part for Jeong wasn’t learning the lines, or learning the songs, or knowing where to stand and when.

It was not being her normal, quiet self.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
Claire Jeong, 9, of Fort Dodge, works on delivering her lines loudly Tuesday during rehearsal of the Camp Creamery production of “The Legend of Blackbeard’s Gold.” The weeklong camp, at First United Methodist Church, is sponsored by Stage Door Productions. Jeong plays a pirate named Mackarel. Her captive, Amelia Stephan, 10, of Fort Dodge, at right, plays Marie.

“Being loud is the hardest,” she said.

During rehearsal in the First United Methodist Church, where the weeklong camp is being held, Jeong was getting to hold Amelia Stephan, 10, of Fort Dodge, captive.

“My character is Marie,” Stephan said. “I’m part of the family. I’m getting captured by pirates.”

In real life, she said she had never actually been captured by pirates.

“No,” Stephan said. “It’s hard to pretend to struggle when you’re not.”

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
Camp Creamery instructor Jackson Kealy, of Mount Horeb, Wisconsin, right, gestures during rehearsal for the production of “The Legend of Blackbeard’s Gold.” The weeklong camp, at First United Methodist Church, is sponsored by Stage Door Productions.

She too, is usually a quiet person.

“It’s hard to use that big angry voice when you’re not,” she said.

Shelly Bottorf, president of Stage Door Productions, enjoys watching the students as they go from their first moments of learning to performing.

“The change in confidence is physical,” she said. “Two hours into the first day and they’re already more engaged.”

She said that this year’s camp, which was open to ages 7 and up, includes a lot of new participants among the 24 who are attending.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
Kelanie Chaplin, 9, of Iowa Falls, works on “scared” as she rehearses during the Camp Creamery production of “The Legend of Blackbeard’s Gold.” The weeklong camp, at First United Methodist Church, is sponsored by Stage Door Productions.

“This really validates what Stage Door is trying to do,” she said. “Bringing a great educational experience to the kids.”

Camp Creamery gives kids a chance to work with professional actors from the Old Creamery Theatre Co., which is based in the eastern-Iowa town of Garrison. At the end of the week, camp participants will present what they’ve learned.

Emily Collins, of Memphis, Tennessee, is one of the instructors with Camp Creamery. She is a musical theater major at the University of Memphis.

“It’s really rewarding,” she said. “It gets kids our of their shell. It’s great to see them put on a full production, learn three or four songs and do full costume and makeup. It’s like proud momma time.”

Kelanie Chaplin, 9, of Iowa Falls, is playing a character named Paula.

She has to look scared in one scene.

“It’s easy,” she said.

She’s not a stranger to the stage. She said she attended a similar theater camp last year and she’s active in dance.

The week’s workshop is better than one thing though — school.

“Oh yes,” she said.

Performances are at 7 p.m. Friday and at 2 p.m. Saturday at the First United Methodist Church, 127 N. 10th St. They are free and open to the public.