SUMMER PLAY: Grace Wisher's Star Spangled Banner (Entering Grades 6-12)

SUMMER PLAY: Grace Wisher's Star Spangled Banner (Entering Grades 6-12)
August 10-14, 2026

Back by popular demand -- Lyceum Studio is offering a week-long camp that includes a two-night stay at Burlington Quaker Meeting House!

Young artists (entering grades 6-12) are invited to delve into the story of 13-year old, Grace Wisher, a young black girl who helped sew the Star Spangled Banner. Grace Wisher's Star Spangled Banner (working title) is a world premiere new play! Lyceum Arts commissioned a playwright, Brie Knight, to write Grace's story for our summer camp program. As we recognize and celebrate the United State's of America's 250th, we are eager to explore our history through a theatrical lens, sharing untold stories like Grace's, and many other black American's, who built our country.  Grace, an indentured servant in the household of Mary Pickersgill, contributed to making the 30' X 42' flag which flew over Fort McHenry in Baltimore, Maryland in 1813, inspiring Francis Scott Key to write our national anthem. Join us to explore our history this summer in this brand new play, uncovering the remarkable stories of the people who came before us in America. You'll be invited into the playwriting, research and development process of a new piece of theatre. Campers will have the opportunity to explore the themes, analyze the text, see how each draft was developed and connect directly with the playwright! Perhaps the most exciting part of a world premiere is being the first to visual a new play and characters on the stage! 

Overnight at Quaker Meeting House:

This one-week summer play camp includes a sleep away camp component! Campers will attend day camp from 9 AM - 3 PM on Monday and Tuesday. On Wednesday morning, they will arrive at Lyceum Hall with their overnight bag. Theatre campers will sleep at the Burlington Quaker Meeting House at 340 High Street (a short walk from Lyceum Hall) on Wednesday and Thursday night. They will be dismissed after performances on Friday. The Quaker Meeting House has 80 beds, as well as bathrooms and showers on the 2nd and 3rd floor. The building has a commercial kitchen and dining area where campers will be served breakfast and dinner. There are common spaces for evening activities and performances! Caretakers are welcome to join the overnight stay as chaperones with their camper.

Make sure to wear comfortable clothes and closed-toed shoes (no flip flops or sandals). Don’t forget to bring a water bottle, lunch and snack each day!  All camp weeks include workshops presented by guest artists. 

Camp week: August 10th - August 14th
Monday and Tuesday: 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Wednesday and Thursday: Sleepover at the Burlington Quaker Meeting House
Showtimes: August 14th at 7:00 pm
Additional show: August 15th at 2:00 PM (tentative - hold the date)

Discover a world of creativity this summer in a brave space for exploration, self-discovery and creativity!

LOCATION

Lyceum Hall Center for the Arts, 08016

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