Camp kids solve riddles with Gladys Varga, the storyteller and drama coach

■ BY SUE ERWIN
Arts integrated storyteller and drama coach Gladys Varga provided a creative, imaginative program for a group of children from Lee County summer camp on Wednesday, June 22 at the Boca Grande Community Center.
During the hour-long program, Varga re-enacted three short stories and presented several dramatic riddles and brain-teasers. The children appeared to be intrigued by Varga’s dramatic demeanor and seemed enthralled with her performance. Varga finished the show with an interactive demonstration about gestures. Varga invited the children on stage to do the mirror game, a quiet scene of watch-and-repeat.
She’d act out a variety of movements and then ask the children what they thought she was trying to achieve. Using words that were probably unfamiliar to the young audience, she would often pause and ask the children if they knew the meaning of the word, and then give hints by using synonyms.
“These kids are so receptive and such good listeners. I can tell they are extremely well read, and they were a great interactive audience. I’d love to come back next summer,” Varga said. The Johann Fust Community Library sponsored the program. The next children’s event, “The Race of the Tortoise and the Hare – Fables for a Fit Life” by storyteller Katie Adams, will take place at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, July 6 at the Boca Grande Community Center.