Glee has a following of extremely dedicated fans.  Many have compared the fanbase of Glee to that of the Twilight Saga and Harry Potter.  Now Glee has sparked a new era of camps, Glee Camp.

Inspired by the overwhelming popularity of the musical comedy-drama on the Fox network, dozens of theater groups and arts organizations in Chicago and across the country have created “Glee” summer camps for kids using music and choreography from the hit show. “Glee” camps have formed in North Carolina, Florida, Arizona, Indiana and Utah.

In the Chicago area, “Glee” camps at the Circle Theatre in Forest Park and the Children’s Theatre of Elgin just wrapped up their June sessions. At least 10 other “Glee” camps are scheduled for July and August, with some already sold out. Christian Youth Theater, for example, just sold out its “Glee” camps in Cary and Wheaton after enrolling 150 young people ages 11 to 17. The group has additional camps running in Arlington Heights, Gurnee and Rockford.

“Glee” camps are for budding stars usually from 8 to 17 years old, and run for one or two weeks, culminating in a final performance.

But each camp differs in how much “Glee” they actually put in their program. Some theater groups are writing original scripts using characters, storylines and music. Most other “Glee” camps have decided to focus solely on the music and dance, avoiding issues raised on the show such as teen pregnancy, disability and homosexuality.

Camp directors said “Glee’s” appeal is due to several factors, including its wide range of music that covers show tunes, classic rock, pop and hip-hop. Others praise the show’s diverse cast of characters at the fictional William McKinley High School in Lima, Ohio, including Rachel Berry, the endearing, but overbearing Jewish diva determined to be a Broadway star, and Finn Hudson, the football jock who struggles to balance his macho image with his love for singing.

You can read the rest of the article at the Chicago Times’ website.

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