<p>who is super excited for session 1?!?!</p>
<p>So excited!!! It’s so hard to pack! I’m trying to think of everything I need but I know I’m still missing stuff. Counting down the minutes!!!</p>
<p>Hope you have a great time this summer at OCU! My DD is in a production of Seussical as Mayzie right now and she is having a blast.</p>
<p>Daughter has been making packing lists (I’m sure she’ll forget stuff, too!), copying TONS of music for her book, keeps asking when the flight leaves…excited, excited, excited.</p>
<p>Dropped daughter off at OCU today. Got to say that I am VERY impressed with the counsellors that we met this afternoon – everyone very positive and helpful. She’s in a double apartment, and she and her roommate (on first meeting) appear to be a good match. They were due for dinner, a “meet the director”, campus tour and dorm meeting tonight. Auditions, dance and theory placement tomorrow. 46 kids in Session 1 this summer.</p>
<p>To those attending Session 1 - was there anything your kids forgot to bring, or is there anything you recommend for those attending Session 2? As the weeks go by, please let us know. I hope they all have a blast!</p>
<p>Mom103…will definitely let you know if anything comes up. </p>
<p>D is so happy to be back at OCU this summer. She was given a single apartment!!! (says that all incoming Freshmen were given singles).</p>
<p>Well DD has been at OCU for over a week and this is the first year that I have not heard from her as often (a positive sign…but a little bit difficult for a mommy who’s first baby is leaving the nest in the Fall :0 ).<br>
She has met some wonderful friends and says that the classes have been great. Rehearsals are in full swing (I know they have already “finished” ACT I). D was cast as a lead this year, and as she was an ensemble two years in a row…she says she is thrilled and is learning the production procedure from a different prospective under the direction of Dr Herendeen (whom she really enjoys working with).<br>
This past Saturday D sang for a vocal coach apparently from American Idol in a Masterclass. She says that she’s been going to the Fitness Class three mornings a week (which I was impressed with since I know rehearsals run late). Also, this weekend I know a bunch of them went (walked) with counselors to the closest grocery store to buy things that they needed/wanted/ran out of…etc. And D said she finally did some much needed laundry on Sunday. </p>
<p>I wish I knew more details…but if anyone has any specific questions…I’m sure I can get some answers out of my D. :)</p>
<p>Mom103 – We’re about halfway through session 1 now, and daughter has asked for a few of her “decent” dresses and skirts to be shipped to her. Apparently, they have frequent master classes, and she prefers to dress up a bit for those. Also, by the end of those long rehearsal evenings, they are HUNGRY. Although they can purchase pizza and candy bars every night (and I’m not sure exactly how that jives with the crack-of-dawn fitness class option??), she wanted some better choices. They did make a shopping run last weekend, but she also appreciated the Craisins, etc that I shipped in a care package. </p>
<p>Don’t expect a lot of contact from your kids – they simply don’t have much free time. But my kiddo, a first-timer at OCU, is having an absolutely fantastic summer.</p>
<p>mommafrog, that is so funny to hear that your D asked to have some dresess shipped…so did mine!!! Although I did not ship any yet…she already brought MANY…just realized that she didn’t have the “ones she really wants” to have now.</p>
<p>My D wised up from last year. She didn’t bring any causal skirts or dresses (only dressy clothes for audition and cabaret performances.) She took a lot of kidding from the kids for dressing like a “boy”, because she alway wore shorts. I guess the way kids dress is totally different across the country! Anyway, this year she packed every dress and/or skirt she could find in her closet. She told me she has 5 dresses left for the session, so she has to strategically pick what days she will wear them :-)</p>
<p>My D is definitely having a better time at OCU this year than last year, and seems to really be making many more friends and having very little free time…which is good because she hasn’t had any time to be homesick. She said the counselors are better, the food is better and she is really looking forward to performing in Seuessical.</p>
<p>^^^
Oh no. I’m pretty sure my daughter only owns five dresses. The tomboy heading south may stick out like a sore thumb. This should be interesting. Thanks to the Session 1 parents for the info!</p>
<p>Spoke with my daughter today. First, 5 dresses should be more than enough! They only dress up for master classes, and it’s just as a sign of respect to the master teacher. She said that nice pants and a decent top are good, too. In rehearsals, it’s “playclothes” all the way. And they actually get time (if they are creative) to get their laundry done…mine flew with minimal clothing and, except for the “emergency” dress shipment, she’s been fine. </p>
<p>Amazingly, the show has been finished since last Wednesday – now they are in polish mode. They moved to the stage yesterday, and are enjoying the multi-level set. Special classes have been fun, the weekday classes great. She is so impressed with the program, and talking about going back next summer. </p>
<p>Let’s see…the only other thing she suggests taking are any and all dance shoes your child may already own.</p>
<p>My D is attending Session 2. It seems we had a message from OCU that we would be getting an email soon about ordering tickets for Seussical. It’s been a few weeks and we still haven’t received anything. I’m hoping we didn’t somehow miss the information on this. Does anyone happen to know about ticket sales? It’s so great to read the posts about Session 1 kids having a great experience!!!</p>
<p>When I checked my D in for session 1, there was a ticket order form available then. Be prepared – Seussical tickets are $10 apiece, and if you want to do the Parent’s Cabaret/Dinner/Show on Friday, that’s $30 (but does include all three elements). They will take a credit card or (I think) check. All students will perform in that final cabaret, with non-leads doing solos, and principal roles in group numbers. Tickets will also be available at the door.</p>
<p>Session 2 parents received an email asking us to wait to make travel plans for pick-up at the end of the session because some roles will be double cast, and we’ll want to find out which night our kids are performing. My question is how this affects purchasing tickets at check-in. We won’t know which night we need at that point. While some of us would like to see both versions of the show, it’s not economical for those who have to stay in a hotel (preferably one night rather than two). Any thoughts on this? Are seats reserved? For some reason I thought it was open seating. Session 1 parents, chime in.</p>
<p>Seating for the shows is not reserved. Casting for the show will be set the first Sunday of Session 2. I personally like to go to both shows. The first night is just the show priced at $10 a ticket, but the second night you can purchase tickets for a dinner, student cabaret and the show for $30. If you just want to see the show, you can also just purchase a $10 ticket. Usually students that don’t have leads in the main production get parts in the student cabaret. The note we received from Jobeth stated that cabaret tickets must be reserved in advance (limit 4 per camper) by Wednesday at noon. That way they know how much food will be needed for dinner.</p>
<p>Hope this helped.</p>
<p>Saw on youtube that last year’s (2008) summer cabaret performances are posted. Does anyone know if there are plans to post this summer’s? D says she has her performance in the cabaret recorded on her cellphone (which she’s been unable to send to me…bummer). Would love to be able to see/hear these cabarets…</p>
<p>Saw the first performance of Session I’s “Seussical” last night, and got to say I was impressed – to go from a group of 40-some strangers from all over the US to putting together a complete show in under three weeks…wow. A general FYI for those in Session II – in Session I, only the 2 female leads (Mayzie and Gertrude) were double-cast. All other roles will find the kids performing in both shows. I’m sure the makeup of Session II may be different, with different casting needs, but that’s how it went in I. I understand that students in ensemble roles will be featured in tonight’s Parents’ Caberet, principal roles will take part in group numbers. </p>
<p>It was great to see what good friends these kids have become at the reception (where parents got a “oh, hi” hug before the kids went back to enjoying each other. For my d, it’s been a great confidence booster, and a chance to see other kids who “get” MT. She’s hoping to return next summer.</p>
<p>mommafrog - Sounds like your D had a great time! It’s so nice when these kids get to spend time with other kids who have the passion they do for theatre.</p>
<p>My DD is off to UARTS in Philadelphia this Sunday for their 4 week MT workshop and is so excited. She played Mayzie last month in Seussical and had a great time with the role! She has her last performance in the ensemble of the full version of Rent tonight.</p>