<p>Ah ok..very glad on the heads up about how unlikely cabaret is then - makes sense. I am curious why did they stop performing at the resort hotels?</p>
<p>Is the cabaret audition from the main one to be put in a musical?</p>
<p>Actually now that I think about it, it seems like they should start over with each session..but since thats not how they do it, and returners are automatically in it etc..sounds like they would have very few spots..do they announce each time how many they have? I wonder why think don't reaudition and give kids an equal chance. </p>
<p>How about the shows..do the kids that stayed from session one have to reaudition for the second session plays or are they automatically placed and more likely to be cast in leading roles?</p>
<p>Angst...I am going to try to answer your last few questions but then have to move on with other things as I am shirking too many responsibilities (CC can be like that, lol). Also I would hate for you to get perspectives from just ONE family who went to this program...it is important to garner many perspectives. As well, it is important to ask the factual information with the directors of the program. I feel compelled to respond because not only do I like helping others but this is a public forum where you are asking the questions and many regular posters know that I have a child who has attended the program for a long while. </p>
<p>Ok so here goes, then I gotta go...
You asked: "Ah ok..very glad on the heads up about how unlikely cabaret is then - makes sense. I am curious why did they stop performing at the resort hotels?"</p>
<p>I do not know the honest answer to this one. The camp will tell you one thing and then some of the campers/parents have other assumptions as to why this decision was made last year after over 25 years of performing the Our Time Cabaret at resort hotels. As I mentioned, the director of the cabaret is no longer at the camp. The camp has said that the two nights that the cabaret cast had to leave campus to perform late at night, was difficult during hell (tech) week for their other shows. They might have said that the other campers did not like to have these 40 kids gone some place else on those evenings. For years up until a few summers ago, the cabaret performed two nights at two resort hotels but on a third night, the whole camp went to another resort hotel to perform a "sampler" from all the productions but then they started doing the sampler on campus for the rest of the campers and only the cabaret performed off campus. I have gut feelings as to why the cabaret no longer performs at hotels but will keep those to myself because they are not factual. The loss of the hotel shows put a little damper on cabaret but nonetheless, they still perform for the camp and the parents. Last year, by second session, they did two performances, one for the parents close to midnight and one for the rest of the camp AFTER that (and that is after everyone had done two performances of their OTHER musical, lol). I've heard the camp say that gambling might come to the Catskills and so it would not be appropriate for the show to perform at these nightclubs but that has not happened yet so I cannot tell you the actual reason for this decision last year. </p>
<p>"Is the cabaret audition from the main one to be put in a musical?" </p>
<p>Everyone does the main auditions to be cast in a play or musical. From THAT audition, they select kids for a callback for the cabaret. Those kids do a callback and then they pick some from that for the opened slots. </p>
<p>"Actually now that I think about it, it seems like they should start over with each session..but since thats not how they do it, and returners are automatically in it etc..sounds like they would have very few spots..do they announce each time how many they have? I wonder why think don't reaudition and give kids an equal chance."</p>
<p>Remember that "returners" might even be brand new kids who came to SD for the first time that summer....they might have gotten into cabaret first session and then are still in it second session, for example. NEW kids who are cast in cabaret are BOTH brand new kids to camp or might be brand new to cabaret but have been at camp at least one session. They cannot make the entire cabaret brand new because it is very hard to learn this entire show simulataneously while rehearsing another musical that is also put up in just 2 1/2 weeks in addition to hours of classes each day. By having some returning cast members, it holds the show together. New cast members pick up stuff by those who know the blocking or choregraphy, for instance. Everyone has an equal chance of getting into cabaret in the open slots, however. This is not that different than how things are at home at our school. My child is in the select choir...if you have been in it one year, you still have your spot but then new kids get into it each year. Same with the varsity soccer team....everyone tries out again but if you are a returning teammate, you are almost guaranteed to be on the team again and then new kids make the open slots. For cabaret, everyone is trying out again basically because everyone does the auditions. But returning cast members do get to be in it again and then new members are added every year. Like at school, NOT everyone can be on varsity so to speak. Often you work your way up. Sometimes someone with a lot of talent makes the "team" on the very first try. At our school, freshmen girls made varsity soccer even though there was a freshman team and a JV team. But most who got on Varsity, FIRST worked their way up on the JV team. I never said they have very few spots. I have seen as many as 20 new cast members get into the approx. 40 member cast in some sessions such as first and third sessions. I know numerous cast members who are NOT returning this year. There definitely will be many openings, but perhaps not as many second session because as I said, the new cast members from first session may stay over for second sesssion and thus less openings will exist. I know many kids, including my own, who got into cabaret their very first time at camp....Clueless's son had that happen in fact, too. But there is also something to be said for kids who show their talent and work ethic one session to then come back and earn a spot the next session. Lots of life works that way. Lots of things you work toward. Lots of time you prove yourself. Also, I would venture to say that there are MANY kids talented enough to be in cabaret who are not in it....kinda like BFA programs...there are way more qualified kids than they can take. Stagedoor is a program you do not audition to be admitted, unlike some other fine summer programs. So, there are no cuts to get in. But there are "audition only" things like Master Class or Our Time Cabaret, sort of for more advanced kids, so to speak. That is the best I can explain that. As far as announcing every session the number of open slots....I don't know about formal announcements but the basic information is "out there" and known. </p>
<p>The main components of Stagedoor are the classes/training and the major musical and drama productions. The cabaret is akin to a Master Class, if you will, for advanced kids in musical theater and is by audition only. Everyone has an EQUAL chance of making it in, new and old alike. There are no hard and fast rules. You could say that you have to be 13 to get in but then my child was cast at nine....and I have seen on occasion some 12 year olds get in. I believe it is done quite equitably. I also think this is not the main thing at the camp but an extra thing offered at another level. Getting into cabaret should not be the end all and be all of attending this program. I know kids who go back every year who have never gotten into cabaret and love the camp. I know kids who got into it after five years. And I know kids who got into it the very first session they showed up. Seems pretty fair to me.</p>
<p>"How about the shows..do the kids that stayed from session one have to reaudition for the second session plays or are they automatically placed and more likely to be cast in leading roles?"</p>
<p>You have to audition once per summer. If you come for two sessions you only audition the first one when you get there. However, if you stay for two sessions and want to do a brand new audition the second session (maybe were not happy with the first one?), you are allowed to. Most kids I know who go two sessions, only audition once on their first day of the session in which they arrived. To the second half of your question, they are NOT most likely to be cast in leading roles if they stay a second session. That has no bearing on the casting. In fact, my own child, as well as many others, has played a lead role in first session and then been a supporting role or ensemble in second session. Often they don't have you be a lead in more than one session per summer but again, no hard and fast rules. You do not necessarily get a "better" part if you stay a second session, in other words. However, as with casting at any theater, if you have seen someone's work on stage (EVEN IN ENSEMBLE) and you like it, that goes into your casting decision the next time you cast a show. So, shine shine shine in ensemble and work hard and be serious and that always counts the next time someone has to make a decision as to how to use you in a show. It only makes sense. But believe me, kids show up their very first day at SDM and are cast as leads...has happened many times. </p>
<p>Susan</p>
<p>Hi Susan,</p>
<p>No I wasn't in OTC when I went but I only went for one year, I believe 2003 Session 2 -- I was the bishop in Les mis -- I think someone told me you are "X" 's mom -- BTW please send her my best wishes I heard about her accident on the SDM messageboards -- I saw her in Pippin as the Leading Player and of course all over the SDM video ;-) She's extremely talented!! Talk to you soon!</p>
<ul>
<li>Matt</li>
</ul>
<p>Matt,
Hey, I saw your production of Les Mis and it was simply amazing. It was one of the best shows I had seen at camp and I have seen a ton over the years. You were great and so was the entire cast. My D has many close friends that were in your cast. Yeah, I am the mom of the girl who was The Leading Player. And thank you for the supportive comments, so like all you Stagedoor kids who support one another. I will tell her I "met" you online. She is recovering and hopes to be back at camp for one last time just for first session cause she is still just sixteen (no more braces though since you saw her!). Are you graduating high school this year? We spent some time with the boy, I., who played Thernardier in your show when we visited Syracuse where he is a freshman in the musical theater program. Next year my D is going to college with her friend who played Jean ValJean. And she is best friends with your Cosette. If you only went one session to SDM, you surely got into quite the show! Remember how it rained and Pippin had to go up in your theater and there were shows running round the clock practically? Last year, my D finally got to do a show with your director, Jeff, when she was in Nine...had taken all these years to get into one of his shows (not counting OTC). I hope you enjoyed your time there and would love to hear what you are doing now. Best of luck to you. I am glad you came onto this thread and offered a student's account because I am JUST a parent and it is not as if I went to Stagedoor (if only....it looks so fun but I have NO talent). </p>
<p>Do you remember the documentary film being filmed that session by a filmmaker who came? It has come out and been show in a film festival and is called (what else?) Stagedoor. I know my D is in it but we have never seen it. It would be fun for you guys who were there second session 2003 to see it, I bet. </p>
<p>Susan</p>
<p>PS, I just asked my D if she knew you and she said she did not know you well but remembers you because you were one of the only boys in the cast whom she did not know and she recalls that you sang very well! ;-)</p>
<p>Matt, me again. I feel like such a dufus (spelling?)....of course you are the boy who posted about directing...duh, I did not keep it straight so forgive me for asking your grade and plans for next year! Go for it.....and yeah apply to CMU....we were there recently....it is SO great....and we also saw a play that was written and directed by graduate students. Good luck and find something this year to do...just create an opportunity if one does not exist and document the project in time for winter interviews.
Susan</p>
<p>Matt sings AMAZINGLY. If I do recall, a teacher at CAP21 conservatory exclaimed "Well that's some of the best singing I've ever heard outta all of the male singers I've worked with" (or something to that effect). He also is a kick-butt dancer. And an all around nice guy :) ... <3 you mattttt!</p>
<p>Dani</p>
<p>whoaa -- you are the best!! i'm a modest person so -- thanks haha that was soo nice of you to say -- and I MUST ADD how amazingly amazing D FIRM is cause she can play a bird in one show, a spanish kid in another show, sing "Disneyland" like she means it, and be an all around cool girl from the Chester that is West --- HAHA LOVE U D-FIRM</p>
<p>Matt</p>
<p>Hey Dizzi or Matt..is the actual end of camp the day after the shows? I was trying to figure out how/where we would stay. Havent gotten any stuff from them yet but imagine hotels around there fill up fast?</p>
<p>maybe dani remembers better than me -- but i remember the night after the shows is an awards ceremony and then basically you can do whatever you want at camp -- I didn't go to bed until 4ish if I remember correctly ... just playing cards in the room or hanging out in different rooms and saying goodbyes -- it was fun.... and then I went home that next morning back to Long Island
I must remind you, Loch Sheldrake is the definition of "Middle of Nowhere" USA -- theres absolutely nothing to do there, and absolutely no point in going to that area unless you plan on going to SDM -- there's a holiday inn if i remember correctly, a mcdonalds, wendys and taco bell maybe --- that's about it.... so yes, you should get the hotel but i think there may be other hotel accomodations -- so no need to worry</p>
<p>thanks susan for the reply and the nice comments</p>
<p>question -- do you know about the documentary being showed anywhere other than ... not quite sure where it was being displayed but --- I would love to see it!!</p>
<p>Matt</p>
<p>A couple things....I have never met Dizzy Dani as she went different sessions than my D but ya know, Dizzy, now that my D is going to be in NYC and going to school with your friend, S, I hope you do meet cause you sound like the greatest kid. </p>
<p>Angst....on performance weekend, the shows are on Friday and Saturday so you need to get a hotel at least Saturday night but if you want to see both performances of your child, then stay Friday and Saturday night, as we do and most parents I think do too. Then following all the shows Saturday night, the cabaret performs close to midnight for the campers and the parents of the cabaret troupe. THEN like starting at 1 AM (not kidding you), the parents have all left and the kids have a big gathering where there are awards and stuff like that and then they stay up most of the night. The parents return on Sunday morning to pick up their kids and leave. The next session kids do not arrive until the Monday following that. Yes, hotel rooms book up and that reminds me, I better reserve ours! </p>
<p>Matt is right that it is kinda like the middle of nowhere but I have to laugh a bit because most of you or the other parents who go to SDM would say that about where I live too....I mean we don't even have a MacDonalds, Taco Bell, or traffic light ......</p>
<p>Matt....the documentary had its premiere recently at the South by Southwest Film Festival. I am not sure where else it is being shown yet and I know the producer was trying to sell it to TV and so forth. It got some good reviews. The producer/director told me that they will try to have a showing of it at camp this summer. I know some people who have seen it and told us lots about it but we have not seen it. I recall a camera following my kid around constantly, and she said it felt like that show on MTV...I forget the name of it....but she got used to it. I heard a little about some segments she was in and about other ones. If I hear of where to see it, I'll let ya know. It would be so fun to see. I hope I get to one of these days.
Susan</p>
<p>Susan any recommendations on which hotel? I looked up the area but didn't see any listed. Do you know of hotels in the area.
Thanks!</p>
<p>We choose to stay as close as possible and as cheaply as possible because we spend NO time at our hotel and all our time at SDM watching shows, etc, and don't even get back to the hotel until after 1 AM on the cabaret night. So, please be aware that there are all sorts of options but this is where we are coming from. As well, in the past, we had to go for TWO parent weekends per summer and the costs of all this adds up. So, I have stayed at several places but often opt for Days Inn in Liberty which is like five miles away. We are talking pretty basic here. For a little more money, and nicer, is The Lodge in Rock Hill. Another basic but slightly further away is Best Western in Monticello. There are resort hotels nearby that include meals and much more (again, we have no interest and have yet to stay at these but our D has performed at them, lol): Raleigh Hotel in S. Fallsburg, Kutsher's Country Club in Monticello, and so on. There are many country inns and bed and breakfasts in the area. </p>
<p>I have suggestion for you. First, there will be handbook you will get soon from SD that has all this information that you are asking about. I also encourage you to call Barb, the camp director, and prepare your list of questions, particularly the factual ones, and get the answers you need to help you decide. If you need more like an opinion such as how does your child like the dance classes or how challenging is Master Acting Class, or what's the food like? Then pose it here but I also encourage you to ask Barb for a list of references to call....and when you do, you can talk to the moms/dads and your D can get on the phone with their child to ask things from a kid's perspective which is very important. I know when we chose summer programs and we have chosen quite a few over the years with both our girls and did not know anyone who attended any of these ahead of time, we got a list of families to call from the directors and I spoke to the parents and my child spoke to the kids. We prepared our questions ahead of time so in each instance, it took one call only per family. Again, prepare questions for the director and give her a ring or email her. Be aware that you will be sent plenty of information, even about accommodations in the area. </p>
<p>By the way, in perusing the handbook, I came across a snippet that relates to what I have written in response to your other queries:</p>
<p>"Auditions enable us to begin to know you. Your subsequent work in classes and rehearsals will be even more important. If you are with us for more than 3 weeks, you will be given the opportunity to audition again before each new round of shows is cast." </p>
<p>I hope that affirms my point that while auditions are fair and equal, that in ALL casting anywhere, once you work with someone on a show, they ALSO utilize those observations when casting you in the future. You only have to audition once per summer, but if you stay more than one session, you MAY audition a second time but do not have to. My child and most I know, choose to audition just once but if you feel you have something new to show, you have that chance.<br>
Susan</p>
<p>Matt- thanks for the sweets :) -- Best of luck on Smile (speaking of which- can't that go in a directing portfolio?) and sry I was a selfish meanie with my tape and had to send you to my better half in North Carolina (another SDM beauty, in light of the thread I'm posting on!).</p>
<p>Susan- thanks for being so nice! I'm sure I'll be seeing your D next year. When I do- you can bet that one of the first things I'll say will be "You have an awesome mom!" P.S. If your D wants the contact info of some girls going to CAP next year, I have a few friends who'd love to meet future cappies. Let me know.</p>
<p>angst-- I totally agree with Susan. Write down a list of questions and call Barb tomorrow. It'll be A LOT quicker than posting stream-of-conciousness stuff on here- although Susan and Matt and others offer great insight and as she said, would be great for more opinion-directed type questions.</p>
<p>You all have been very good about answering questions. I had told them I would let them know by today via email(as we were called off wait list)..so really did not have tomorrow to call and ask questions.
Anyway I feel very good that this is a good choice for her (as does she - she is super excited about it)..just was concerned after seeing the video tape on the age and you all have indicated there will be plenty of kids her age.
She is going so I was moving on to hotels..
Thanks again to all of you for the wonderful support and advice!</p>
<p>Angst, glad you got your questions answered and have made a decision and I hope she likes it. As I am familiar with your posts in the past on the Parent Forum, I was surprised to learn that you chose a theater camp because of the pop music career aspiration but apparently this is what she wants and if she wants a theater intensive, this is certainly a great one. </p>
<p>If the video is the same as the one on the website, I think it was made around 2002 or so. I did not get an impression from that that it was all young kids at all. The two girls who were kinda narrating a lot of the video were friends and past roomies of my D's (all are older than her). They were about age 15/16 at the time of that tape. The girl in the braids with the very young voice is now 17 and on Broadway and likely 14 on that video but just LOOKS and SOUNDS younger than her true age. Some other kids narrating at other points were also teenagers. They did show some younger kids (well, younger kids DO attend) but the majority of the video was older. The clip from Into the Woods was a show where the cast was 15-18 and amazing in fact. There were quick snippets from 42nd Street that my D was in, also all teens. My D is on the video but only about age 13 (maybe younger?) when talking to the camera with her best bud who was 15 at the time but is petite. I think I saw a quick pass of when my D was much younger doing a cold reading (no sound). I saw a fast snippet from the cabaret she was in and that has all teens in it. When they showed the girls in the dorm, those were teens. I can guarantee you that there are a slew of teens at camp. But if you want a camp that is ALL highschoolers only, this is not the place. Your D will be in shows and classes with teens but she will mix on campus with all ages. It is like a family there. The sense of age is almost out the door. My child has been so close with kids many years her senior all along. She even roomed on the floor with girls ages 15-18 since she was 13. Her best buds are all older than herself. So, kids are not as aware of ages like they are at home back at school. It is a very multi-age environment at Stagedoor. I think they have a tee shirt there now that says, "Stagedoor, no place like home" or something like that. I cannot emphasize enough the family like atmosphere, the close bonding, etc. of this theater intensive. It is not going to be the same age-wise in terms of setting like a pre-college program. There will be plenty of kids there in junior and senior year of high school or even entering college but there will be plenty of kids of all ages as well. </p>
<p>Susan</p>
<p>Susan, You should call and ask them for a tape. If they cant send you one, you can have this since your daughter is in it and many of her friends - you would enjoy it.<br>
Yes my daughter wants to be a pop singer, but she wants to diversify into other areas..she plans to act etc. She does not want to limit her career. Singing is the main thrust though.
This camp would offer alot of learning opportunities.</p>
<p>Angst, I am truly glad you found out about this program then! It is exciting for me, over the years, when we have been an influence to others both here in Vermont and then on the internet, who choose to attend SDM and to find the same "heaven" that my child has come to find.
Susan</p>