They run and scamper, wander off, play wrestle, scratch, and whine. No, it’s not 101 dalmatians – it’s 53 exuberant students of BPA’s summer theatre camp.

Ranging from first- to eighth- grade, the kids have been learning the ropes of live theater from camp directors Dylan Arnold, Gabe Carbajal, Liz Ellis, Miranda Feldtman and D’Arcy Clements.

“The biggest challenge is the logistics of moving 53 bodies on and off stage,” said Ellis who has taught theater school at BPA for five years.

“It’s fun to see them evolve from year to year,” she said. “They improve their volume, they do less directing of each other.”

Carbajal, in his fourth year as an instructor and one of two credentialed teachers on staff, said much of the first 10 days of class was spent on team-building activities.

“We tried to get the older students to fill leadship roles,” he said.

The classes include theater games and art projects, theater terms, costume projects, learning and rehearsing lines and music, movement and blocking.

Every student in theater camp is given a singing, speaking or barking role. Even kids who are pre-readers can learn a few lines.

The tail-wagging cast of first – eighth grade Theatre School students includes Julia Batson, Samantha Batson, Scarlett Bos, Meg Brown, Stella Streufert, August Janow, Sophie Eldridge, Sophie Townsend, Lesley Lemon, Maya Burke-Weiner, Evy Bottger, Amelia Hall, Elizabeth Hambleton, Claire Sweeney, Helen Fritchman, Camille Townsend, Maddy Vogl, Amanda Rian, Gwen Rian, Cordelia Janow, Emma Kirchner, Ben Eldridge, Evalyn Parman, Anna Banyas, Ruby Bos, Emily Weaver, Libby Hall, Brian Taylor, Haydon Anderson, Claire Walters, Mollie Alpaugh, Mia Alpaugh, Anyana Brumley, Caroline Payne, Lindsay Payne, Josephine Hill, Annabelle Hill, Aubrey Gelpieryn, Chloe Gelpieryn, Helen Fritchman, Gracy Raben, Emma Gace, Jonathon King, Katelyn Lockyear, Kayla Gamache, Shayla Michel, Max VanNocken-Witner, Tyla Michel, Madison Culp, Owen Rian, Priya Niehaus, Hannah Judge, and Grace Breen.

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In the spotlight

Bainbridge Performing Arts presents Disney’s 101 Dalmatians Kids July 29-Aug. 1. Performances are 7 p.m. Thursday-Saturday and at 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Bainbridge Performing Arts, 200 Madison Ave.

Tickets: $15 per person, are available online or at the BPA box office 1-4 p.m. Friday or one hour prior to each performance. For more

information, call 842-8569 or visit www.bainbridge performingarts.org.