All Strings Attached

Madison Mayfield is a Texan who has started to plant her roots here in Ames, Iowa. After four rigorous years of studying English and Music at Iowa State University, Madison dove head first into the vibrant community that keeps Ames unique and full of life.

Since the first grade, Madison knew that she was destined for the arts. It was performance and musical theatre that first won her over, but her passion for creativity and expression is what continues to fuel her. While her work at Lott Music Studio and the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Ames has her utilizing the technical skills of her English degree, she has plenty of spare time to exercise her creativity. From composing and arranging music, to writing poetry and plays— she loves it all.

When Madison isn’t sending emails or working on her latest musical endeavor, you can find her in a myriad of places. Maybe she’s baking a fresh loaf of bread in her kitchen. Or perhaps you’ll find her lounging on the couch, attempting to finish a new video game. Regardless, she loves to spend her spare time with her friends, family, and Constance (her cat), no matter what that looks like.

Madison is eager to go back to her theatrical roots and works with students to think outside of the box! She can’t wait to see what fantastic puppets you create, and she’s excited to see how you bring them to life!

This week-long musical theatre camp gave middle school performers the chance to experience Broadway from every angle — onstage, backstage, and everywhere in between. Working in small groups, campers voted from a preselected list of scenes and brought moments from The Addams Family, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Hairspray, Shrek the Musical, and Wicked to life in a high-energy, collaborative showcase.

Each day blended creativity with skill-building. Campers rotated through focused sessions in music rehearsal, acting technique, movement and staging, costume design, and set construction — giving them a full picture of what it takes to build a production from the ground up. Theatre games, improv exercises, and movement workshops kept the energy high while strengthening ensemble instincts, stage presence, and quick-thinking confidence.

Students explored vocal technique, character analysis, and musical interpretation, learning how to make bold, specific choices that serve the story. They were encouraged to stretch beyond their comfort zones, commit fully to their roles, and discover new strengths along the way. Whether stepping into a comedic character, tackling a heartfelt solo, or experimenting with physical storytelling, every camper had the opportunity to shine — big or small — in a way that felt right for them.

Behind the scenes, participants also gained experience in stage etiquette and backstage roles, understanding the teamwork and responsibility that make a performance run smoothly. Costume pieces were pulled from our collection and enhanced with handmade creations, while sets and even rod puppets were crafted with provided materials — giving campers ownership of the visual storytelling as well.

Individual coaching was available throughout the week for students who wanted extra support or an added challenge, making the camp welcoming for beginners while still offering depth for more experienced performers.

The week culminated in a lively, showcase-style performance at our studio for family and friends, featuring every scene the campers developed. It was a celebration of creativity, collaboration, courage, and the joy of stepping into the spotlight together.