The Hastings College Art Center currently has two senior thesis exhibitions on display. The works of seniors Megan Lamb and Ryley Hansen went on display on April 7 and will remain in the gallery until Thursday, April 25. The two seniors used different techniques, medians and inspirations in order to create these masterpieces for their exhibitions. [Read more...]

Photo by Mikel Healy

In an industry filled with big budget action sequences, 3-D effects and an arsenal of sequels, one actress is going against the reel with her jump back into cinema.  Grace Johnston was a child star who appeared in over 35 nationally syndicated commercials, guest-starred on shows such as The Cosby Show and Ghostwriter and acted in film alongside Bette Midler in the Academy-Award nominated film “Beaches.”  She was even nominated for a Daytime Emmy for her role in Notes for My Daughter.

Instead of following in the footsteps of peers such as Natalie Portman and Kirsten Dunst, Johnston decided to leave the business and try life as a normal child.

“I didn’t want to experience all the firsts with the coming of age stories in front of everyone else,” Johnston said.

Call it fate, or “God’s will,” as Johnston sees it, but nearly two decades later, she’s being called back to acting.  And during this resurgence back to the big screen, Johnston has found herself taking on a film that’s more than just escapist entertainment.

Camp tells the story of Eli and Ken.  Eli is a 10-year-old suffering from abuse and neglect at the hands of his parents.  Because of this, Eli is sent to a camp for foster children.  Ken is an investment advisor who’s trying to impress a client by volunteering at the camp.  Over the course of the week, the two bond as Ken learns about Eli’s dark past.  The film deals heavily with the psychological toll abuse takes on youth, and the ability people have to make an impact.

Johnston plays Tammie, the director of the foster camp.  As an avid volunteer for the “Make a Wish” foundation, Johnston was instantly drawn to the film.

“This is the type of role that I live for and the type of project that can actually make a difference,” Johnston said.  “It’ll make you laugh; it’ll make you cry and it will also enlighten and educate you.”

Camp is based on the true accounts that director/writer/producer Jacob Roebuck experienced while volunteering at Royal Family Kids Camp, an actual foster camp similar to the one portrayed in the film.  Roebuck has even promised to donate 40 percent of ticket sales to this camp.  Johnston hopes that the film’s charitable vow on top of the powerful message will inspire audiences to take action in helping abused and neglected children.

“This can change their whole direction in life, just by having a positive influence,” Johnston said.

Camp is currently rolling out in limited release across the country.  It opened on March 22 in Hastings and Kearney.  As of now, it has ended its run in Hastings, but for those in the area wanting to catch a screening, the film opened in Fremont on April 5.  To learn more about Camp, check out their website at www.thecampmovie.com.

And as for Johnston, she couldn’t be happier to back in the film business pursuing projects like Camp.

“This is what I was meant to do with my life,” Johnston said, “I’m fortunate that I’ve been allowed these opportunities.”   Johnson can be seen next in the psychological thriller, The Devil’s Dozen alongside Eric Roberts, Omar Gooding and Jake Busey.