Mark your calendar for Friday, June 12, 2026, at 5:30 p.m., as Lemon Bay High School’s Junior Summer Stock Players take the stage with Disney’s “Aladdin” Kids. You’ll find them at the Lemon Bay Performing Arts Center, bringing a classic story to life with all the energy you’d expect from a young, passionate cast.
The Englewood REVIEW caught up with Gina Barber, director of the summer program, to get the inside scoop on this year’s production and what keeps the Junior Summer Stock tradition going strong.
When asked how long LBHS has been offering this summer theater experience, Barber answers, “The summer stock program’s roots go back to the mid-90s, a little on-and-off over the years. But the last seven years really brought it back to life, thanks to Mrs. Ballard-Richardson. She revived it after COVID, and we’ve kept it rolling steadily ever since, except for the year I was hired.”
Who gets to join? “Ages 8 to 14,” Barber explains. “We used to run a senior camp for ages 15 to 20, which was mostly alumni coming back for one last performance. This year, it’s just juniors, as we took a break from the senior group to focus on timing and manage costs.”
This summer’s “Aladdin” Kids production features 31 students. And yes, there’s a second session: 29 kids will tackle “Shrek” Kids on June 26 at 6:00 p.m.
What does the rehearsal process look like? “We’re here Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., except on show days. Those are longer: the cast comes in at 1:00 and stays through the end of the performance.”
Why was “Aladdin” the choice for this summer? Barber says, “The ‘kids’ versions are always a hit. There’s a ton of slapstick comedy, which the students love, and so does the crowd. Plus, every kid on stage gets some time to shine, whether that’s just a couple of lines or a lead role. I’ve even seen a few kids rewatch both versions of the film to really get their characters down.”
There’s one performance for “Aladdin” Kids: June 12, 5:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 at the box office, opening at 4:30 p.m. that day.
Who makes it all happen behind the scenes? “High school students step in as counselors, mentors, choreographers, coaches, directors, tech, pretty much everything,” Barber says. “Alumni pitch in, sharing what they’ve learned with the younger kids. We even have three tech campers learning the ropes with set building, painting, lighting, sound, and projections. It’s amazing watching former campers now teaching the next group.”
What moments stand out for you as the director? “This year, working with my stepdaughter, Christina, as co-director has been special. She’s handling blocking and acting while I focus on music and costumes. But nothing beats seeing students who’ve stuck with the program year after year. Their growth as actors, dancers, and singers. It still amazes me.”
What are your goals when directing a summer camp? “Introducing kids to theater as early as possible,” Barber says. “There’s not much exposure in local middle schools, so if kids miss out after elementary school, they tend to drift away. That’s why we launched the junior thespian troupe three years ago, open to all middle schoolers, public, private, or homeschooled. Mr. Stewart Wilson from Englewood Elementary runs it. The group keeps growing, which is huge for local theater.”
Gina makes it look effortless, but it’s not always easy. “Putting on a show in two weeks with young students is no joke; sometimes it’s like herding cats. But the growth in just that short time is incredible. They learn lines, choreography, music, stage directions, all with a tiny crew, but somehow it always comes together.”
Gina says the best part is, “Standing backstage and watching their faces before and after the show. They start to believe in themselves, they soak up the applause, and you can see them realize, ‘I did it.’ That’s why we do this.”
Are the kids having fun? “Absolutely. Sure, they get frustrated sometimes, forget a line or a dance step, but that’s theater. It’s all about learning. Many of our high school students started in this program. They stuck with theater all four years. That’s a legacy we’re proud of.”
Gina’s message to the community is, “We want this program to continue. Next year, I’ll be teaching drama in Nanjing, China, so the theater program will have a new leader. We’re excited for what’s ahead and hope they’ll keep this tradition going. We’re always looking for volunteers, too: set building, tickets, costumes, you name it. Anyone interested can reach out at [email protected].”
Quick details for families: Lemon Bay’s Junior Summer Stock 2026 includes two sessions for ages 8–14. Disney’s “Aladdin” Kids runs June 2–12, and “Shrek The Musical” Kids follows June 15–26.
Everything takes place at the Lemon Bay Performing Arts Center, 2201 Placida Rd, Englewood.
For updates, check the Lemon Bay High School Theatre page or contact the department directly.
Tickets: lbhstheatre.net or email [email protected].
Don’t miss your chance to see these young stars in action.
