Racheal Williams - Wild Honey from the Moon
Young Creatives Theater, Art, and Music Camp with Racheal Williams
Last August, Arts at the Palace hosted youth arts education and community-driven storytelling through a vibrant week-long summer camp focused on theater, music, and creative expression. At the center of the program was local artist and educator Racheal Williams, who directed the camp’s culminating performance and brought with her a lifelong passion for the stage.
Racheal’s connection to theater runs deep. A lifelong enthusiast of theatrical production and storytelling, she has long found joy and purpose in the world of plays and performance. After stepping away from formal theater work to raise and homeschool her five children, Racheal returned to the director’s chair this summer with renewed energy, leading the Young Creatives Camp in a reimagined musical adaptation of Kenneth Kraegel’s picture book Wild Honey from the Moon.
Over the course of just five days, more than 30 children and 10 volunteers came together under Racheal’s direction to create an original performance from the ground up. Participants were immersed in all aspects of theater-making—from prop construction and choreography to acting, singing, and collaborative storytelling. The week concluded with a public performance on Saturday, August 17th, drawing family, friends, and community members to witness the culmination of the campers’ creative work.
Racheal described the experience as both inspiring and deeply personal.
“It was a joy to watch these kids come alive on stage,” she shared. “They approached each challenge with imagination and heart. That’s what theater teaches us—to be creative problem solvers, to see possibilities, and to tell stories with empathy and clarity.”
The performance, which captured the tenderness and determination at the heart of Kraegel’s book, showcased the campers’ original songs, hand-crafted props, and spirited ensemble work. It was, by all accounts, a moving celebration of creativity and collaboration.
As Arts at the Palace continues to grow its theater offerings, Racheal’s work stands as a model for what’s possible when local artists are supported in their gifting and given the opportunity to create and collaborate.
Where to Watch
https://www.instagram.com/p/C_N4_-fNQFG/
https://www.instagram.com/p/C-xsHOdu5Uz/
Where to Listen
All original music featured in the performance was composed by Henry Howard in collaboration with the campers during the week of the program.
