SPIRAL’s Story

Empowering our kids in supporting one another and learning how to tell their story!

Spiral Theater Camp is began with a simple vision - to provide encouraging, art-centered experiences for the kiddos of Hastings and neighboring communities. Spiral Theater Camp Director, Elizabeth Damico-Carper, launched such a camp for Black Dirt in the summer of 2019. The pandemic put the brakes on further ventures…until the summer of 2022. Molly McElory jumped on board and offered her expertise and master’s degree in theater education and our dream really took off!

Summer 2022 Elizabeth, Molly and two staff members ran four weeks of camp out of the Tilden Community Center gym. We are still so grateful for the families that took a chance on a brand new program! This inaugeral summer we finished each camp with a tour - bringing the fine arts to senior care facilities and the local library, sharing our art with the broader community!

2023, 2024, and 2025 Spiral grew and settled at the Hastings Middle School. This location gives campers a real theatrical experience and allows the ample rehearsal and movement spaces. Each summer our staff has consisted of Hastings students and alumni and fostered a care for youth while giving our staff a hands-on experience in directing, coaching, and encouraging others in the their own arts learning.

Finally, at the end of 2025 Spiral became an established non-profit organization! This monumental step will position the organization to really grow into it’s dreams! These dream include growing in our interdisciplinary offerings such as vocal coaching, stringed instrument lessons, dance of stage workshops, and so much more. We also hope to begin to share the Spiral experience with other communities around the Twin Cities!