Local teen inspires others to perform at camp, benefit charity

RAISING STARS—Far left, Shayna Turk, 16, has made an early career of training and inspiring young performers through her Rising Stars summer camp. Here the Agoura Hills teen takes a bow with the cast of "Hairspray" earlier this summer. Shayna Turk of Agoura Hills has produced and directed seven musicals, performed in 23 shows and raised enough money to save the lives of several children suffering from congenital heart disease.

Shayna is 16 years old.

The teenager, who recently inspired 18 youngsters ages 5 to 12 to sing, dance and act in the musical "Hairspray," launched her first summer drama camp at the age of 10 with "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown." What started out as a way to spend time with neighborhood children became a fullfledged passion that has grown with each summer production.

The musical "Hairspray," Shayna said, has been the "most fun" production so far. "Being with these certain kids, people helping me—everything about it was really good," she said.

The six week "camp," called "Shayna Turk's Academy of Rising Stars," is conducted at Shayna's parents' home in Agoura Hills, but the four performances are staged at her grandparents' home in Hidden Hills. Jerry and Erica Miller have a separate theater attached to their home, complete with a curtained stage, lighting and sound equipment, and theater seating. So far, Shayna has produced, directed and choreographed such shows as "The Wizard of Oz," "Annie," Grease" and "Little Shop of Horrors."

Brian Gallop, 11, who played the part of Edna Turnblad, mother of "Hairspray's" lead character Tracy Turnblad, said he's participated in the camp for three years and plans on performing again in next year's production of "Grease."

"It's, like, super awesome," Brian said of the camp.

Three sisters have been loyal drama campers for several years. Jaime Small, 12, portrayed Tracy Turnblad, her third time as the lead in a Rising Star production, she said.

"It was really fun," Jaime said. "(Shayna) is just an amazing person."

Kylie Small, 9, said her part as Amber Von Tussle has been her favorite character so far. Delaney Small, 6, played several roles, including Little Inez, Brenda, a "Dynamite" girl and Tammy.

Delaney was Shayna's inspiration to tie ticket sales to a charity. Craig and Brenda Small of Agoura Hills formed the Music for Heart foundation after Delaney was diagnosed with congenital heart disease as an infant. Delaney's heart was repaired with surgery when she was eight months old; at that time Brenda Small launched the charity to help defray the cost of corrective heart surgery for children living in countries where surgery was either not available or unaffordable.

"(Shayna) is truly a remarkable teenager, and she has touched my heart with her kindness and generosity," said Brenda Small.

This year Shayna raised more than $3,200 for the Music for Heart Foundation, nearly double the amount raised last summer, Small said.

Small said Shayna was upset that she hadn't met her fundraising goals of $5,000. "I very quickly reassured her that what she had accomplished was, indeed, remarkable," Small said. "Rotary International matches donations to Music For Heart, so not only did Shayna meet her goal, but exceeded it," she said.

Shayna said her early performing experiences played a part in her decision to run a kids' drama camp. "When I was younger I would never get as good a part as the older kids," she said. She was particularly bothered by the fact that exceptionally talented children would be passed over not because of a lack of talent but because of their youth.

Shayna's "rising stars" all get a chance at lead roles. Many children learned several parts and portrayed different characters on different nights, she said.

Although Shayna has performed with the Class Act Musical Theatre in Woodland Hills, she isn't sure whether life on Broadway will be her professional calling.

"I still like medical stuff," Shayna said. "I kind of want to be a doctor."

But running summer shows may be hard for Shayna to give up. "It's become such a big part of my life," she said. "It's what I look forward to—meeting the kids, getting them out of their shell and getting them on stage."

For information on next year's camp and production of "Grease," e-mail turksstars@aol.com or visit www.dramastars.com.