Crichton McCormick Park’s Backstage Door Club is putting on its first two-week musical production — “Grease” — encouraging area students from ages 11 to 18 to become involved with the communal performance.

In partnership with Portage Area High School and the Portage Area Parks and Recreation Commission, the summer camp’s $250 tuition fee provides students with acting, singing and dancing instruction, along with an opportunity to perform with a live pit orchestra.

Those interested in backstage or production work can also get an opportunity to work behind the scenes of an ongoing performance.

Auditions are scheduled for June 14 at Portage Area High School. Rehearsals are slated to run from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 15-19 and June 22-26 at the school, with performances scheduled for 7 p.m. June 26-27 and 2 p.m. on June 28.

But the performances might be held at the Crichton McCormick Park’s new amphitheater, depending on when the stage is completed.

Sharon Squillario, Portage Area Parks and Recreation Commission secretary and treasurer, said the board came up with the idea to build an amphitheater in the park about a year and a half ago.

Construction will either begin in early spring or late fall, she said, as the project will be funded through fundraisers and donations.

If construction dates allow, “Grease” will be the first of many Backstage Door Club productions held at the park’s amphitheater, she said.

This summer’s production will be exciting for future students as well, “because there is more we’re planning on doing” with the amphitheater, she said.

The Portage Area High School’s drama club was originally named The Backstage Door Club in the early 20th century, according to Portage Area School District music teacher Addison Holyfield.

Naming the park amphitheatre club after the Backstage Door Club pays homage to Portage history, he said.

Holyfield’s goal is to recruit at least 30 students for the production; registration is now open until May 8.

“To put on a show is a lot of backstage work,” he said, and interested students can learn about putting together a finished performance.

Backstage Door Club productions will give area students more musical theatre experience and more experience working in the arts, he said.

And using a well-kept park as their venue will add to their performance, he said, while giving residents “something to look forward to and something to do.”

Other than giving students more musical theatre experience, the shows can bring more community members to the park, showing that there is more Portage can offer, he said.

Mirror Staff Writer Colette Costlow is at 814-946-7414.