Lakeview grad Jack Austin to open new theater company geared for kids at KCC
When Jack Austin was 10 years old, he went to a theater camp. That experience defined his young life from that day forward.
Now the Lakeview High School graduate wants to bring that same opportunity to others.
In association with the Kellogg Community College Lifelong Learning program, Austin is starting the Unity Theatre Company.
"I always wanted to create a youth theater company here," Austin said. "This is where I grew up and developed as a person and an artist, and I wanted to give back to the community. I always have wanted to create a space where people are always welcome and feel safe to learn and grow as people and artists.
"This how I got started. I went to a camp at Bad Wolf Theatre Company here in Battle Creek. I had a great time and it gave me an awesome experience and great friends that I still have today and I wanted to do that for other kids."
Austin, just a year removed from Lakeview and now finishing up his first year at Western Michigan University, is set to begin his theatre company in June with the musical "Matilda", for students ages 10-18.
Abbie Brennan, Program Manager for Lifelong Learning at Kellogg Community College, is excited to have Austin bring his camp to KCC and the Binda Performing Arts Center.
"We had a performance camp like this back in 2016 and it was really popular, but we haven't been able to make it happen since," Brennan said. "Jack came to us with this idea and I think it's something that will really work.
"Jack has such a passion for the performing arts and theater and people pick up on that. I think he wants kids to have the same opportunities that he had and this allows for more opportunities for kids who are interested in this."
The Lifelong Learning program at KCC is wide ranging and includes sports camps and other educational summer classes in addition to Austin's theater camp.
"I think we have something for every kid, no matter what their interests are," Brennan said. "More and more we have camps that are aligned with some of the programs we have at the college. The goal is to get kids on campus and their parents on campus to see what we have to offer."
Registration for the theater camp is currently open with auditions on June 4. The camp runs from June 12-25. Part of the experience will be a virtual session with Tony Award-winning writer Robert Horn. The camp will also include Lakeview graduate Tsea Hensel, who will serve as a choreographer.
The camp is just part of what has been a busy few years for the former Spartan, who has gained notoriety with his singing on TikTok, as he has over 70,000 followers and has generated more than 15 million views. Austin was recently featured in "20 & 20 Under Sing 20 & Over" where rising stars under 20 years old sing with Broadway stars in New York. Last summer, he was also in the production of "7 Brides For 7 Brothers" at the Barn Theatre in Augusta.
Last week, Austin was highlighted at the Franke Center in Marshall as part of the Michigan Music Video Awards after his video for his original song 'Veronica' was nominated.
And prior to opening Unity Theatre with KCC, he will complete a run as the lead character in a new original musical called "Boy On Billboard" in the Dallas area May 12-13.
"I've had a lot going on lately. It's kinda crazy, I know," Austin said. "I am just so grateful for all of these amazing experiences I have had so far and all the ones that will hopefully come along my way going forward."
Contact Bill Broderick at bbroderi@battlecreekenquirer.com. Follow him on Twitter @billbroderick.
This article originally appeared on Battle Creek Enquirer: Lakeview grad Jack Austin to open new theater company for kids at KCC
