TROY, Ala. (TROJANVISION) — A stellar group of kids are getting a taste of the spotlight during this year’s Mini Spotlighters Creative Drama Camp.

Over the course of a week, Mini Spotlighters get to have fun, exercise their creative minds and interact with members of Troy University’s theatre and art departments.

“They are creating their own alien characters and their own planet and it’s highly imaginative,” said Mini Spotlighters Camp Director Jenny Meadows. “This is not a competitive theatre environment, they are learning how to play in a structured environment.”

Organizers say the camp can have a positive impact on child development and help kids become well-rounded individuals.

“The arts help students academically and they also become more motivated, have better social skills, and they learn to solve problems in a creative, cooperative manner,” Meadows explained.

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The program employs active learning to keep the kids engaged and having fun.

“The joy of being in an environment that’s a bully free zone and that is very inclusive,” Meadows told TrojanVision. “I really wish that we could have theatre programs in all of our schools because it does change lives.”

The kids aren’t the only ones learning from this experience. Troy University students in majors such as theatre education can gain knowledge from their roles within the camp.

“They design the curriculum and I oversee the instruction to make sure its engaging,” Meadows said. “Through the process a lot of students decide that they want to go into education. It’s great for the community too it just brings everyone together through art and I think that’s beautiful.”

Mini Spotlighters held their main showcases Friday in Claudia Crosby Theater.