West End Theatre Project announces partnership with Rainbow Camp

Rainbow Camp looks to have enlisted help from West End Theatre as it regroups for a 2024 comeback.

Organizers of the popular LGBTQ2S+ summer camp have said they will be working to recruit this fall for next summer after a staffing shortage caused the unexpected cancellation of camps midway through this season.

West End Theatre announced this week that until Sept. 4, $5 from every ticket purchased will be donated to Welcome Friend Association's Rainbow Camp.

The following is the text of a release from the theatre group:

West End Theatre Project has announced a partnership with Welcome Friend Association's Rainbow Camp.

Until Sept. 4, $5 from every ticket purchased will be donated to WFA’s Rainbow Camp to help send kids to camp.

In addition, individual donations for WFA’s Rainbow Camp are very much appreciated and may be collected by designated cast members at the end of each show.

Rainbow Camp is a welcoming, inclusive, safe space for 2SLGBTQ+ youth ages 12-18 to experience summer camp. Founded in 2012 and run by members of the LGBTQ+ community (including many former campers), Rainbow Camp is committed to developing a camp community honouring creativity, individual choice, and social justice, while having fun.

Situated in the pristine wilderness just east of Sault Ste. Marie, Rainbow Camp has welcomed over 600 campers from across North America since 2012.

Over 70 percent of campers are subsidized based on financial need, to ensure that everyone can attend. Campers call it a life-changing experience, and in some cases, a life-saving experience.

Husbands Harry Stewart and Chris Southin, were recently selected as recipients of the Governor General's Meritorious Service Medal for co-founding Rainbow Camp and for their work in support of LGBTQ2S+ youth.

The camp is organized by the Welcome Friend Association, a registered charity that provides outreach to and support for people affected by gender and sexual issues. They are online at: www.WelcomeFriend.ca

Synopsis: Based on the smash-hit movie, Priscilla, Queen of the Desert is the heartwarming, uplifting adventure of three friends, Tick, Bernadette and Adam, a glamorous Sydney-based performing trio who agree to take their show to the middle of the Australian outback. They hop aboard a battered old bus (nicknamed Priscilla) searching for love and friendship and end up finding more than they ever imagined. With a dazzling array of outrageous Olivier and Tony award-winning costumes and a hit parade of dance floor favourites including “It’s Raining Men,” “I Will Survive,” “Hot Stuff,” “Boogie Wonderland,” “Go West,” “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun,” and “I Love The Nightlife,” this wildly fresh and funny musical is a journey to the heart of fabulous! Tickets to Priscilla, Queen of the Desert are available for purchase at the Sault Community Theatre Centre Box Office in-person or online.