Theatre camp was awesome. It marked the end of summer for me, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. Sure, the show itself was fun, but there were little things, and inside jokes that made the experience unforgettable.
1. Everyone was typecasted, but no one seemed to care.
I was that random chorus girl (usually a girl, at least) who sang alto with the group and had like one line. There was another who was that minor character with maybe a handful of lines and one big solo. The strong and charismatic male lead. The sweet female character with all the high notes. The comedic relief dude. The determined female lead. People usually got similar parts, and whenever someone "graduated", everyone would be asking, "Who's going to play *character* if so-and-so's not here anymore?"
2. Inside Jokes
It could be something related to the play, or a previous play, or maybe just a stupid or funny thing someone did. Whatever it is, it's talked about for the rest of the two weeks. The Varsity Drag. Basically every song from "Footloose". That one time during pre-show Cards Against Humanity when somebody didn't understand what "pixelated bukkake" meant, and we all tried and failed to protect her innocence.
3. Traditions
After the show, everyone gets an "award" based on what was most memorable about them during camp. A few of ones I personally remember receiving are "Most likely to miss her cue because she was watching 'Doctor Who'" and "Most Likely to Write Next Year's script." And, after every show, we head to the local diner for pancakes and milkshakes. We were always the latest, most crowded, and most annoying table there. But it was fun nonetheless.
4. Costume Day
It's cool on its own to get your first peek of becoming your character, through mishaps and antics are always bound to happen. Sometimes you're stuck with a costume you hate (Ugh, that white dress from "Good News" looked bloody awful.) Other times, you have to twirl around in the one you love (That purple dress from Anything Goes was awesome... Didn't hang on me like a sack... And that one dress from Thoroughly Modern Millie... I only got to wear it for like one scene, but it was so much fun to dance in). Sometimes a costume doesn't fit, and you have to entrust a fellow chorus member to get it off for you... and that kind of thing was completely normal.
5. Group Numbers
Do you have any idea how hard it is to organize a musical number?? Well it's hard. It's one of the most annoying times of day, but it's necessary if the show's going to be good. Once we get the hang of everything, it becomes a lot less dreaded. Of course, there's always that one collective groan when the choreographer announces "We're practicing *song that the cast-designated "hell dance" is set to*!".
6. Show Day
Dress rehearsal, usually in front of the younger kids who are at a different camp. Touching up the numbers and songs until everything is 100% right, then a thankful 2-hour break involving pizza, movies, or games. Then time to become our characters. Makeup gets everywhere, the dressing room reeks of hairspray, a few random chorus members are sent out on program duty, and everyone is overall hyped. We put our all into the performance, and we absolutely kill it! *Insert crowd cheering noise here*
7. Bonding
What is it about Theatre and bonding? Like, my first year, I came in knowing one person, though not too well, and come out with practically a family? Who knows? Maybe it's the teamwork. The idea that everyone's role is important. Or maybe it's because theatre people are weird and therefore accepting of a bunch of walks of life. Meh. Whatever the reason, the people there can make it one of the most memorable experiences in life.
