<p>Hi everyone. Im new. My name is Lauren. I wanted to write the post because I have been lurking for a while and seen alot of people have attended StageDoor. My decsion to attend a sleepaway camp this summer was quite late. Like think late May lol. My mom called Barb at Stagedoor and she said she would put me on the waitlist for Session 3. There are currently 3 people on the list and I was added as number 4. Do you think there is any chance? Esp. since Im a girl and I heard girls have been filled since alte December. Also I have been talking to a boy named Issac on aim, (soozievt you might know him) and he said Session 3 is alot diffrent than 1 and 2. Why is that? He said it was becuase all ther serious people go in one and two and all the older timers go one and two and everyone is new three. He also said it ahs a diffrent mroe laid back feel to it and not alot of older ( as in past) campers go that session. He said its mroe newbies and younger kids and kdis that arent really into theater jsut think its a fun place to go for the summer and there is no real "drive" that session. Can anyone confirm this or deny it. You can pm me or post here. Also a few general questions
I. I know there is about 230 campers per session. Does anyone know the boy girl ratio?
2. What was it liek your first day of your frist year(if you went or your childs experince?
3. How many girls are in a dorm?
4. What is the food like?
A little fun question does anyone have any perdictions for the musicals they might do this year?I heard they repeat every 3 years.
Also what si the auditions process like? For ex. you go into a romm (along or with a group) also who are they people that judge you and are they nice?
Do newbies get leads or mostly ensemble? Also I keep hearing prepare a 16 bar song. What is a 16 bar song? Thanks a bunch.</p>
<p>Defying Gravity....I can try to help you some now but overall, the next week for me is very full and I can't go back and forth on this but next week, I likely could help some more. I'm merely a parent though and not a kid who goes to this program. However, I have a bunch of knowledge about it as my daughter is about to start her 8th season there next week. </p>
<p>You are correct that signing up in May is considered late. A majority of slots fill up by the holidays so you will know for next year and if you want to go then, sign up in the fall, ok? I can't tell you your chances of getting in this year if you are fourth on the waiting list for third session. Perhaps Barb can give you an indication of the amount of "movement" from the waiting list in the past that they anticipate. I would think at this juncture, most who have signed up and paid, are gonna go but I have no idea if people back out at the last minute or not. </p>
<p>I know who Isaac is but I do not know him well. He was in Pippin with my daughter...he played King Charles and my daughter played The Leading Player. He would know who my daughter is but I don't want to say her name on this public forum. Just tell him the role and she is the girl from Vermont. I think Isaac has tried to be helpful particularly to new kids on the camp forum and I admire that. </p>
<p>I can comment a bit on what Isaac said about third session. I do not necessarily agree with his statement that the kids who go third session are not as serious about theater. I could never generalize a whole group of kids that way and I do not believe it is true. What DOES seem to be the trend in the past several years, in particular, is that third session has proportionately more NEW kids than returning kids. Every session has returning kids and new kids, however. Third seems to have more new than other sessions in comparison. Further, the returning kids tend not to include "old timers" or long time campers. For instance, all of my D's friends for the past few years, all opt to go first and second sessions. However, for years, my D went second and third sessions and she obviously was not new after her first year, was she? Over those years, her friends who also had gone for several years either attended first/second or second/third and so there was overlap. In 2001, my daughter switched to first/second ONLY because of a conflict she had with third session performance weekend (was to perform at Lincoln Center) and she did NOT want to switch at the time cause she had always gone second/third and did not want to give up three weeks with certain friends and only see them three weeks (she was 13 at the time). She went first/second (though had lots of friends who went that combo cause the second session kids overlap with second/third session combo kids) but then the orchestra went on strike at Lincoln Center and her show was cancelled and so rather than go home, she stayed on for third session and went all three sessions that one summer. But since then, she has switched over to first/second session because as it turned out, all her friends who had been going to camp now went first/second and I have seen a trend that longer time campers do not seem to go third session. </p>
<p>This year, she is only going first session but she is graduating high school this week and has to work some this summer. I think sometimes there are more oppportunities for new kids in third session cause it is like a bigger turnover....lots of kids leave after second session and all. While new kids get good parts or even leads every summer, there are also returning kids and there are less of the latter in third session. I have no clue if there are more younger kids in third session. I did not notice that the years my child went third but maybe the make up of the group in a certain year seemed that way to Isaac but it does not mean it would happen the next year. All ages attend all sessions. So, I don't agree with Isaac necessarily about seriousness or drive of third session kids but perhaps his take on it is that some of the more known kids over the years from his age bracket...kids perhaps going the BFA route and all, have recently been from the first/second session groups but it is not a given or it just can vary from year to year. It is just indicative of the trend the past few years with some long term campers, I think. Each session is a full entity and just as good as another. You will get a variety of kids in any session. Some will be real experienced...have worked professionally or regionally, some just community theater, some just school shows, some have a new interest in it....and some are going to pursue the field in college. It varies. That is true of most sessions.</p>
<p>To be continued>>>>>>>>>></p>
<p>Your other questions:</p>
<p>1) There are about 250 kids per session. I am not sure the ratio but there are lots more girls than boys. My D is asleep so I can't ask her but I am going to make a guess and please realize it is a guess...but maybe 190 are girls and 60 are boys. It is easier to get a bigger part if you are a boy, lol. </p>
<p>2) If you are new, you will have lots of friends within 24 hours, trust me. The kids there are very friendly and bond very tightly. Everyone has this common interest in theater. Lots of kids are new. If you are new, the rest of your room of five girls will be new too. You will bond with your cast too. My niece from Alaska is going first session for her first time ever and she is 16 and I know she will be fine. I can't recall my child's first day at age nine in 1998 but she went excitedly, did not know anyone, was NEVER EVER homesick (rather does not want to leave to come home!) and it all just takes off the first day...there is an orientation....then auditions and lots going on and new friends almost right away. Have you ever been away from home before? She has gone to an overnight program since age 8. Every kid is different but overall, most say they love it and they do fit in within a day or two. </p>
<p>3) There are not a lot of "dorms". There is one girls' building for girls approx. ages 9-12, called Camelot and I am not sure how many live in that building...maybe 40? Then the rest of the girls live in the main building that is called....drum roll....MAIN! There are not exactly age cut offs but roughly Main 2 (one floor) is about ages 13-15 and Main 3 (another floor) is about ages 15-18. I don't know how many are on each floor...maybe 75? There are usually five girls in a room with a private bathroom. I think my D lived in Camelot for two years, Main 2 for two years, and has been on Main 3 for four years (has always had older friends/roomies so did not fit the age range I just gave exactly). </p>
<p>4) The food...hard for me to say as I have never eaten it, lol...cause they do not allow parents to eat in the dining hall. But my D has never ever complained about the food...there are choices.....I guess it is decent for a camp and they have a big salad bar too. </p>
<p>5) Shows for this year....SDM never tells the shows ahead of time. There will be 39 shows put on this summer. Each session puts on 8 musicals and 5 plays (and a cabaret). You find out the shows the first day of each session. They do NOT repeat every three years. Rather, what someone said on the other message board is that they never repeat a show SOONER than three years. So, it is not like this year is gonna be the same shows from three years ago, nope. Sometimes shows go up for the first time EVER at the camp. For instance, one summer, Les Mis was a first ever. Or Footloose was a first. I think there might be some "firsts" this summer too. I do not know the shows this summer, however. </p>
<p>Auditions.....The auditions are not stressful and are a chance for them to see who you are and what you can do. You are not trying out for a specific show but will be placed into a show (and role). If you are trying for a musical, you can sing part of a song of your choosing (bring sheet music for the accompaniest). Sixteen bars means a section of a song. You can't sing the entire song (it would take too long for 250 kids and they try to cast everything in one to two days) so you should choose a section of a song that shows your skills the best. All sheet music is divided into "bars"....if you look at the music, you see those vertical lines in the music? From one vertical line to the next one is one complete "bar" or if it is in 4/4 time, for example, one bar equals four counts. So, pick out roughly sixteen bars of a song...it is sorta like a verse and maybe one refrain. They are not going to count exactly sixteen bars but that is an estimate of about how long your section ought to be. Then you also do a cold reading of a scene they give you, with a partner. If you are a dancer, you would be going to the dance placement auditions that take place with regard to the classes and so that is an opportunity to show dance skills also for casting purposes and then they know who are dancers in case certain shows need dance types (ie, 42nd Street, West Side Story, Chorus Line). If you want to be in a play, you just do the cold reading audition. I think you go in the room alone to sing. The dance part is in a group (optional...only if you are opting to take dance classes and so need to be placed). The cold reading involves at least your partner. I don't think other kids watch. The "judges" are the head producer (Konnie) and the heads of dance and acting and musical theater. The directors of each show do not get to pick their casts. The casting is done by this group of "heads" of these aspects. Konnie is the head honcho, lol. These folks are very nice and do not want the auditions to feel pressured and want to get to know you. </p>
<p>Newbies and parts.....new kids have chances to get leads and significant supporting roles and do every year. And old timers can be ensemble too. Casting is based on talent. However, as is the case just about anywhere, if someone has worked with you in the past and likes the work you have done on stage and what you are like to work with, it bodes well the next time you come back and is an "advantage" of sorts over somebody they do not know at all. However, a new person CAN get leads too. My kid had parts her first year and got into the selective cabaret her first year too and she is not the only one who can say that. She has played leads, supporting roles, smaller parts and ensemble. You can have been a lead one session and then be a small part or ensemble the next. It is all pretty fair and lots to go around and they try to feature everyone. The casts are small....under about 23 for a musical and under about 15 for a play so everyone seems to be significant on stage. Remember, it is not gonna be like home where you might stand out. SDM is full of kids who stand out in their home communities and then are all put together in one place. It is definitely more "competitive" in terms of talent there but the atmosphere is not competitive but rather is extremely supportive. Going to SDM involves training (classes in all aspects of theater), being a part of a high level production with an intensive rehearsal period, as well as bonding with kids from all over who share similar passions. That last part I mentioned is quite significant. </p>
<p>So, I hope that answers your list of questions. I hope you get to go this year but if not, then next year!! I think you will love it. I don't know your age but my kid has LOVED it at every age. She can't bare to say goodbye to the place. If you go, you will come to know that Stagedoorians call it "home". </p>
<p>Susan</p>
<p>Maybe Barb put you on the list for session 3 because your chances were better. I put my D. on the list a couple months ago for an earlier session and she got in. I would call Barb and ask she is really helpful. I think you have a good chance to get in, cus people are always changing their mind.</p>
<p>You are right that people can change their mind but my assumption is that it is on the late side to change one's mind. Most have presumably paid in full by now which is what I think of as making a committment (more than simply signing up) and so I think I would want to know historically if they have gone to the waitlist once camp has started because it starts on Monday. That would be the question I would ask...based on the past, do kids get off the waitlist at this late date? </p>
<p>Susan</p>
<p>Yes thats why I would call Barb. It was odd because when we got off the waitlist most of the payments were supposed to already have been paid by the campers who had signed up already..so I wondered how we could have gotten off the waitlist if that was the case. But we did which is why I think you have a shot.
As far as leads go..I was told that they select plays based partially on who they know is coming. I was told that they would not have the play Mame for example if they did not know someone coming could handle the part so I have to think that some of who is going to play what is in the back of their minds and as one camper told me...it was rumored that leads were pre-selected. BUT that is not necessarily the case..If you are a newbie and go in and have a strong audition..then they could say oh wow she could ALSO do that role. Then choose between those they think would be strong. Also there has to be some degree of knowing returning campers and what they are capable of versus hearing a kid sing 16 bars and not being sure....because its not all about singing.
My D is very very strong..but we know how these things tend to work so will just go with the flow and see what happens.</p>
<p>Naturally Susan knows a heck of alot since her D. has been going there for years..I am just sharing what Barb told me about leads and a camper.</p>
<p>BTW Susan..how do they handle laundry. It says bring a laundry bag but would a pop up hamper work just as well? or is the whole bag sent out?
Also do you need some sort of mattess pad? How about a blanket or is a bedspread good enough.</p>
<p>Yes, they provide laundry service.
I'm pretty sure my son took a mattress pad and 2 cotton blankets.<br>
He also brought a fan.</p>
<p>I asked them about a fan and they said no need to bring one as they have box fans..hmmm wonder if I should send one anyway..D. has a great vornado.</p>
<p>I don't have much new to say regarding casting. All kids have an equal chance at being cast. New kids do get significant parts. Some do, some don't. Returning kids also get significant parts. Some do, but some don't. My kid was able to get significant parts her first summer and into the cabaret. I have witnessed many others who have as well. But by the same token, after playing leads, she also had turns at smaller or supporting roles and even ensemble. Opportunities rotate a bit. Often if you are a lead one session, you are not another. </p>
<p>Again, I want to emphasize that this is not like casting at home. For one thing, it is far less political. Secondly, there is far more talent in ONE place. MANY MANY MANY kids at Stagedoor play leads at home. They can't all be leads at camp. Get used to this because that is what it is like in a BFA program too. You get oodles of talent all in one place. It is easier to stand out at home than at SDM. Kids who go to SDM come from a variety of backgrounds and levels of experience as well. Again, like ANYWHERE, when someone is casting a show, if they have worked with someone in the past, the memory of that experience does not leave their mind and so it is only reasonable and understandable that it is beneficial if you have done well on stage in a previous production, that someone might want to cast you again if you are suitable for a particular role. </p>
<p>One comment that Barb made to you is also true. They pick out shows to rent rights to ahead of time. But they decide the final line up of shows once they see who they have at auditions. But some of the picking of shows has in the back of their minds, the current talent they have as well. For instance, when they did Nine last summer, there is no way they would risk getting the rights to that challenging production unless they felt certain they had the talent for the key roles. They would not chance and hope someone showed up who could do Guido, for example. It was too pivotal a part to leave to chance. So, that is what she meant by that. Now, if lots of other new boys showed up who could play Guido, they might juggle around the casting and decide who is in what show but they would not have rented the rights without the POSSIBILITY they had someone who COULD play the role, even if they did not decide WHO would play it in advance. </p>
<p>If someone goes to SDM hoping only to get a lead, it is a setting oneself up for disappointment. My child has had fantastic summers at camp whether she played the lead, the supporting role, or the ensemble. She absolutely, for example, loved playing small roles and ensemble in Little Me one time because she was SO happy to get into a show with one of the most coveted directors, whose show (other than the cabaret) she never had gotten into and also the talent level and age of the cast was the challenge she was looking for. Another summer, she even asked at age eleven to be placed into an older show rather than be the lead in a younger one (had been the lead in younger ones several times at that juncture) because she preferred the level of the older one and has always had older friends. She even got a supporting role in a show that was ages 13-18 that time. So, it is not always the part. It is the experience. If Dramama comes back onto this forum, she is the mom whom I have known online for many years on another forum and whose D heard of SDM through me and went for her first time last summer and is returning second session this summer because she loved it so much. Now, last summer, she got into ensemble in Nine. The girl has been leads many times in Texas and is mucho talented (great soprano). Was she disappointed? Nope. She was fourteen at the time and she got into what was considered the "big show" of that session....kinda the highest level show they had. The cast was chockful of some of the best talent there (many of the leading players are going onto selective BFA programs this year, for example). She was the youngest cast member and rather than be a big part in a younger show, she was in a much more challenging production that performed at a very high standard. The experience of having that director and that cast...she knew her talent was affirmed for just getting into the cast in the first place, no matter the size of the part. The ensemble did a lot of singing and she even sang one solo verse. My guess is that they recognized her talent and they saw how she handled it and now she will come back and do well this summer. </p>
<p>As far as laundry. They send it out. Each girl would have their own laundry bag in the room (I have only seen bags used but I suppose you could use a pop up like in college but remember the room has FIVE girls in it and space is tight) and then all the girls in the room put all their stuff into one gigantic bag that gets sent out. I just spent the day name taping all my D's stuff and I suggest you do that. </p>
<p>For bedding, it is a personal choice. We send two sets of sheets, a blanket and a quilt. </p>
<p>While the camp provides one box fan per room and often there is also a ceiling fan (not sure about all rooms but I know my D's room the past two years had one)...but many who come by car bring additional fans. We bring a floor fan for the room to share and a small fan for by the bed. It can get very hot. </p>
<p>You might also want to bring a lamp as there is just one overhead light in the room and it is not that much light for the room. Many girls also bring small drawer sets to store little things in (even though they also get a full size dresser). This is not a necessity but I can tell you from experience, that every returning girl seems to have one. </p>
<p>Hope your D loves her experience at SDM. Remember it is more than just what role or show she is in....there is the training/classes, plus the bonding experience with friends from all over. </p>
<p>Susan</p>
<p>It all sounds like fun!
She is really excited about the different classes and the opportunity to get to know and see kids from everywhere that are into acting, singing etc.
It will be great for her!
As far as roles go..I am sure she will learn alot no matter what part she gets. Our focus is not really on the play or the role she will be in but is on the experience of getting out of the local community and getting a broader perspective.</p>
<p>IM about the same age as your daugher. Rising Junior in high school. Im going to be 16 in September.</p>
<p>Thank you for your help everyone. Susan can you possibly ask your daugher a few questions?
1. What is the first day/night like. For ex. you meet your cabin mates , got to dinner,camp fire etc.
2. How are the returning campers with making friends with new people? Are they open to it or do they already have there set friends?
Sorry I've jsut had bad experinces in the past with these things. I really hope I do get into SDM as Ive pumped myself up for it.</p>
<p>My D. will be 16 in September also.
I think they put the new kids in with new kids. I also understand that this year there will be lots of kids not returning ie going off to college so there should be plenty of new kids as well as older ones.</p>
<p>I will be emailing this page to my D (a rising senior who will be attending SDM for the second session after spending many years in a non-MT camp in Georgia) as there is a lot of good information from the veterans and their parents!! We're thrilled as it will give us and our D's sister a reason to make two trips to NYC this summer--and yes, we've already booked the shows!!</p>
<p>Hey Scogor..my D. is going second session also.
So you are going to go to NYC and see some shows also? Neat!
There are a number of other threads on here with regards to SDM that are very good and helpful.
2cd session is the anniversary one..so I think they are all going to see some show on one of the weekends..should be a good session!
PS D. will be a junior..15..She has asked to be in with the older kids.</p>
<p>The anniversary is this year, not a particular session. But the celebration is on July 24 which is during second session. It is being held at Kutschers. We are going though my D is not attending second session this year (only going three weeks as she is going to college in the fall, but is 16). The show is more of an event but it does involve alumni (both well known and not) who will perform, as well as video retrospectives and all. I think the current second session kids are going to be brought to see it. </p>
<p>Defying Gravity...my D is not home (she is at her boyfriend's but he is also going to SDM for his second time). This is a very hectic few days here and so I am just gonna have to try to answer for her...she has graduation coming up and her sister is flying home from Alaska late tomorrow and then both are leaving Sunday for their summer programs and must be packed up and we have all the relatives coming, the graduation festivities and a big party at our house so I'll give this a shot now cause it might be a while again. </p>
<p>As to #1:....I hope you know that SDM does not have cabins. The physical setting is NOTHING like a camp. It is a training center at a place that was once a resort hotel. You live in buildings, kinda like a dorm situation. No cabin. No lake. No typical camp activities. No campfires! It is theater, theater, theater. If you don't wanna live and breathe and eat theater, this definitely would not be the place to go, lol. The first day......there is an orientation that explains everything...the classes, the shows, everything. Then there are audition workshops and auditions...for like 24 hours. Once all this gets done, the regular schedule commences...classes, rehearsals, breaks....and there are also evening activities later at night after rehearsals...some fun activities planned. New kids room with new kids who are in the same boat. Kids just make friends very quickly there. And then you bond with your cast as you rehearse like 4 hours a day together. And you meet other kids in your classes too. It is pretty easy that way. There are adult who help facilitate all that too. I think returning kids make friends with new kids (remember LOTS of people are NEW) but naturally they also have friends from the past. I think for my own D, she has a group of friends (just like I did when I went to a camp for ten summers) but every year, there are always a couple new kids that join her friendship circle. I mean, for example, she has gone for 8 years and it is not like EVERY friend has also gone for 8 years, maybe one went for 8, another for 6, one for 4, so new friends were made each summer. This year, the majority of her closest long time friends are not coming back. Many had graduated before this (she has always had older friends) and then the last big group of her friends just graduated and while they COULD come back most are not. However, she has two very close girl friends returning and rooming with her (one has gone 9 years, the other about 5 years), two close male friends who are going into 12th grade, her local boyfriend (entering 12th)...in other words, her real age but not her grade as she is graduating early...and then she knows many kids younger than herself though they are not her closest friends. But she has less long term friends there this summer than ever in the past but she has opted to just go back for three weeks...always goes six weeks, once went nine...cause she is still sixteen and wasn't ready to give up her paradise on earth...she could go two more years, lol...but this is it (last summer was to have been IT!) because hey, she is going to college...no more summer camp! But anyway, she is always open to new friends but clearly is not needing to make them in the same way as someone who is starting out. This year will be mucho different to not have her 15 or so very close friends there like she is used to, though. Also, EVERY year, she bonds with her cast and her cast is made up of various ages and not necessarily her friends but she gets close with them anyway. Like last year in West Side Story (she was Anita), she felt very close to the cast and there was only four very good friends in it but the rest were mostly new to her but she loved them as she spent much time with them. That is kinda typical. You meet new kids all the time. She is also very close to her cabaret cast though many of those kids are not back but some are. </p>
<p>I must emphasize that SDM is such a friendly place. Here is what strikes me every time I go....almost every second I am there, kids are running up to other kids as if they have not seen them in forever and it likely is just that they have not seen them for thirty minutes, lol, and they hug and kiss and say "I love you"...I mean it is a very touchy feely loving place. Even if you never became friends with someone who is a past camper, you'd find PLENTY of new campers reaching out to you. You will bond with your room of five girls as well. Most kids I know love it there. I guess it is not for all people. I do not know you but I can just say that my kid loved it from the very first day. She never wants to call home cause she does not want to miss one minute of it. When we come for performance weekend, she does not want to spend any time with us cause she says she sees us all the time and she does not wanna lose one minute with her fellow Stagedoorians. It is hard to explain this aspect. But it is a big part of it. The shows and classes are fun too but the people are a big part of it. She is in CONSTANT email, phone, and IM contact daily with SDM kids.....and this is very very typical of all campers, new and old alike. My niece is a rising junior, age 16 1/2 from Alaska, and she is going to SDM for the first time first session and I know she is excited. She is flying here tomorrow and going with us. My 18 year old D is with her now. I'm excited for her. I don't know your experience with programs and all, but my kids have loved their summer programs and have begged to go, so I am not as familiar with the not so good of a time experience which is valid too. The kids I have met at SDM seem to be quite happy but I imagine there has got to be some who are not or maybe figure out that this is not the kind of program that they wanted. Research as much as you can beforehand. Ask the camp for references to call. We always did that when our kids picked out summer programs. They have always liked them. </p>
<p>Susan</p>
<p>Defying Gravity and all other SDM candidates:</p>
<p>Please take a look at this old thread for more info:
<a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=53903%5B/url%5D">http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=53903</a></p>
<p>Lots and lots of details. You will definitely have a blast! Enjoy. My D, who attended for 8 years, lived for SDM. Just relax and enjoy every minute.</p>
<p>Susan..any idea who will be in the show on July 24?</p>