StageDoorManor

College Majors Musical Theater Major
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<p>Defying G....I want to help you but please be aware that I am not a professional, have no training in this field and am merely a parent who has a kid who has been immersed in musical theater her whole life. So, there are others who can advise you much better and you might even make a new thread on that topic cause not everyone who could help is bothering to read a thread on Stagedoor Manor. Do you have a voice teacher? If so, that person also might work with you on how to interpret the song.</p>

<p>With that disclaimer in place :D....
Acting a song is getting into the character, not simply just singing the song. It means taking time to think about what the character is saying, thinking or feeling in the lyrics and then interpretting those lyrics as if in character. It is the presentation of the song. It is not just singing the words in a lovely or dynamic way but acting out the material. Think of musical theater. It is not like some song recital. There are characters who are singing about something in the story to further along the story line. Your job as a singer is to convey and act out the meaning. This does not mean if you are singing the word "time" that you point to your watch, LOL. But present the song as if you are feeling whatever the character is feeling in the song. It is not the same as standing still and having the song come out of your mouth. It is BEING the character who is conveying certain emotions and thoughts. Is the character angry? Sad? Trying to convince someone? Thinking dreamily? Does the character want something? You have to convince the audience that you ARE that person, not yourself. Go through the entire lyrics and think about what they are saying and feeling in each line. Do this without even singing the song but just reading it. Read it aloud in an interpretive way. Then convey it in that way when you are singing it. You might vary the dynamics of the song at different points. Does it build up? Is there a quiet moment some place? </p>

<p>I do not know how best to advise you because it is not my field. I just know that there is a big difference when I see a kid on stage who is merely singing and has a great voice and another kid who is acting while singing and is believable as the character. So, for example, if I heard you sing a song in a production of X musical and then I heard you sing a song on stage in a production of Y musical, you should not come across as the same person to me. Your voice might be equally as good in both productions but you would be acting very differently. Like when I saw my child sing the role of Lucy in Jekyll and Hyde last weekend, she came across as a prostitute and she was very different from when I have seen her sing something as Ado Annie in Oklahoma or Dorothy in Wizard of Oz. She was very different in her singing and song presentation in each role....like a different kid. That is the best I can explain it. </p>

<p>Susan</p>

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<p>Thanks. That was helpful. Also how did your D. work getting a job and going to camp 3-6 weeks in the summer? My mom wants me to get a full summer job next summer but feasibly if I like camp I am going to want to go back, but her argument is how long can a child go to sleepaway camp?</p>

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<p>DefyingG...</p>

<p>First and foremost, you need to respect whatever your parents' wishes are and what they can afford and are willing to do. You can talk something out and hope to come up with compromises or whatever. But what works in one family is not always right for another family. </p>

<p>I can say what the situation was in our case because you asked but it may or may not apply to your situation. I can't recall what grade you are in....going into tenth I think? </p>

<p>For my children, we allowed them to do enriching things in summer of their own choosing. In their cases, they went away for a large portion of the summer for years. That was a priority in terms of our expenditures. However, we did expect them to work the summer following high school graduation, and were not willing to fund summer programs...with college expenses that same year and also they needed to earn money as extra spending money to take to college, plus we think it is important to work too. My older D even worked a little part time her last two years in high school and saved every penny of those jobs, plus every penny of her two jobs the summer following graduation (last year). She now is funding her own summer programs this summer from these savings. She has plenty of money on top of what we give her to use in college and in summers. So, her working paid off. She actually enjoyed her jobs and it was the first summer she had spent at home since she was little. </p>

<p>Last year, when my younger D (the one who goes to SDM) asked to graduate early, we told her that last summer therefore would have to be her final time at Stagedoor because we wanted her to work the summer following graduation like her sister was expected to do. We wanted her to build up her savings for extras in college and for summers in college. We could not afford camp with college as well. At Stagedoor, however, you CAN attend up to age 18. She is still just 16 even though she graduated high school, so she could go to SDM but it was us who said last year at fifteen was it ONLY cause of graduating. I will interject one opinion here with regard to your mom's comment about how long can a child attend overnight camp. At traditional camps, it often only goes to about age 16 for campers (then there are CITS or counselors). But at Stagedoor, it is not like camp. It is a specialized training program and in my child's case, it is more than a hobby or fun summer (though it is certainly that too) but it is the area she is focusing on in college and for a career so it is not JUST about having fun but about staying immersed in her field. As you can see from this forum, many kids who are 17 are in summer theater programs, particularly ones who are planning to go on in the field in college. So, going to theater camp at 16-18 is a little different than traditional fun camp. Anyway, last fall my D's grandparents offered her a school trip to France for spring as a sixteenth birthday present and while she would have liked it, she said she much preferred a chance to put that same money toward one session at Stagedoor for one last time because she was only 16 and lots of sixteen year olds still go there (less 18 year olds go but some do). So, we let her do that and I earned money to make up the difference, but she knew she could only go three weeks this time, not six because she still was expected to work (you could go just three weeks too and combine it with a job for rest of summer). So, she is earning the equivalent of a summer long job this summer by one, being in a professional production locally (paid) and then she created her own job...she created a two week musical theater program for ages 9-14 where she will not only teach voice, acting and dance, but she will create/direct/musical direct/choreograph a musical theater Broadway style cabaret (she has done two of those in the past for high school level). She got a local theater venue to allow her to use their theater for the program and the performance for free. She has enrolled all the kids and has auditioned them to see their individual strengths so she can now create the show around them. She is doing this with a friend who also just graduated and is also entering a BFA in MT program in the fall. Her earnings for that two week program are equivalent to most full length summer jobs, so that is how she is doing it this summer. </p>

<p>As you can see, you can create your own opportunities...make it work, make it happen. If this situation arises for you next summer, make osme proposals to your parents and work it out reasonably. As it turned out for my daughter, she never would have been able to go on the April trip to France with her French class because she was not yet walking. As well, her return to camp and to the stage was even more meaningful and important to her because she was so badly injured and was out of every show for the spring of her senior year and so she had this chance to get back at it (never dreamed it would be what it was). I'm very glad now that she got to do another musical cause of all she missed. She returned to her life. </p>

<p>Susan</p>

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<p>Aww ya Im glad for her two. Going into 11th btw lol. Im excited for campa nd hope I will enjoy it. Sorta a weird question but is the dining room like your traditional camp dining room or is it like outdoors or picnic tables?Do you know of any girls going third session that are around 15,16,17?</p>

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<p>Hi Defying...I was worried my D. would be surrounded by young kids..but there are TONS of kids and I would say most her age which is 15 going on 16. She met one girl on the SDM message boards when the other girl asked for a pen pal. The cafeteria I saw looked like it was inside with tables like a school.
Here are some things I would suggest you consider taking...
a fan, pump hand soap, a little light that you can touch to turn on (battery operated) called a tap light..I just sent one to D. found it at Walmart cus its dark at night, hangers, definitely label your stuff ...I ordered iron on labels from a label company a week before she went,
a big shower tote, a mirror in case the bathroom is in use, some hooks to go over door to hold towels..(also at Walmart), D. took a rolling cart and its nice, a cassette recorder and extra batteries, a shower cap, , dance shoes
The stuff they say in the booklet...
BTW when you get back, I hope you write and tell us how you like it!!!</p>

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<p>SDM does not look AT ALL like a camp, just want you to realize that. No cabins, no lake, no picnic areas, lol. The dining hall is in the main building and it is air conditioned I believe. It is like a cafeteria with a salad bar too and round tables sort of thing. Random seating. I have never eaten in it as parents are not allowed to. My D likes the food, by the way (for a camp). Personally, no, I do not know any girls of any age attending third session. For one thing, just about all of my daughter's closest friends NO longer attend Stagedoor Manor. She knows and is friendly with a bunch a little younger than her (or grades below her, I should really say because they are about her true chronological age) but they go first and second session. But I have this feeling that your question has a tad of concern with regard to IF there will be girls aged 15, 16, or 17 going third session and the answer once more is YES! The camp is filled with teenagers. I venture to say that about 75 girls will be on your floor in this age range. I just do not know any of them. You will be rooming with girls your age, as well. In fact, I venture to say that many kids in your session will be new. There are less old timers going then and if anything, even more opportunities. Do not fret....you'll love it, I am pretty sure. Most do. </p>

<p>Susan</p>

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<p>Angst, things must be going good now, if you can give suggestions/advice about Stagedoor; just kidding. :D Glad you can pass it on.</p>

<p>Hope your daughter is enjoying herself.</p>

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<p>Soozie-I'm not sure if you know the answer to this but what do the kids need who made OTC in terms of what they wear? I remember last time my S said they needed something black/red/white? but since he didn't make it last time I figured I didn't need to worry about it this time. Now I don't know what he needs and can I bring it with me or do they need it before the parents come. Any help would be great.
Also, in regard to the storage situation at camp, the boys rooms have no room for rolling carts but I brought an under the bed big pastic drawer. I found it at Bed, Bath and Beyond but I'm sure any store has them. He put extra stuff in it and it is stored under the bed. There was room for atleast 2 of them. I guess the girl's rooms are different but I can't imagine 4 boys bringing rolling carts-no room, so consider that as another option. The tap light and hooks are a great idea. Iron labels are great too but on alot of items we used an indelible pen (sharpie) and it goes through the laundry with no problem.</p>

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<p>BTW, my S also likes the food. The menu changes everyday. There is always saiad bar. Every camper has a number and when you get your tray, you tell the person standing there serving, your number and they record it. This way they know you ate. You can have whatever you want and as much as you like but I don't think you can come back in and eat another meal (like 2 lunches). They also, do not like you taking food out of the cafeteria-I guess bugs and mess, so eat there and eat heartily if you want to.</p>

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<p>Thanx everyone. Angst you said you need a cassette player? Is a cd player okay?Also what are some of the evening activites and are there dances?Do you need something formal for them?</p>

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<p>Audi, I was thinking of you today because I heard from my D that your son made OTC! I figured you knew some how and I did not want to post anything here unless you mentioned it yourself. I am very happy for him, let him know. I hope he is happy he went back to camp cause he grappled with the decision and I know I encouraged him and look...he got a lead and into OTC...his second session ever! </p>

<p>As far as what to wear....it is easy....they can wear anything that is black, white, or red or combinations of those colors. Does he own black pants or have any with him? Or white ones? He can either borrow those or you could mail a pair. Then a white or black or red s shirt....can be knit or button down. Sometimes a boy might wear red suspenders if he has all black on to add that color but not always. Sometimes a boy might choose a white or black button down shirt and have it open a bit with a red tee shirt underneathe. You can't really bring it up on Parent Weekend cause the OTC performs once prior to that weekend for the entire camp (used to be two hotel nightclub shows). What he DOES need, however, that you may want to get on right away....is......an 8 x 10 photo of himself as a baby (any age of baby/toddler) and it needs to be laminated. How my D has not lost the one I sent her in 1998 for the first OTC she was in is amazing (if you knew her). One year she could not find it the night of the show (so typical) and I saw her hold up some other baby picture! This year, she done good in that department. She was missing one tap shoe (she is a dancer in it...don't worry, not everyone needs tap shoes) and had on one jazz and one tap shoe....yeah. </p>

<p>As far as room in the rooms for rolling drawer sets.....take a look at the girls' rooms in Main....uh, five or six girls per room and most STILL have plastic drawer sets....somehow they squeeze 'em in by the bed.....nobody said there was room for them, lol. But they do it anyway. I doubt any boys do. I had never seen a boy's room until this year and I saw D's boyfriend's room and it had four teen age boys and there was no less room per kid than for the girls. Girls just take more, trust me! :D</p>

<p>DG...the cassette player that Angst was referring to could not be a CD player because she meant for playing a cassette of music for your show for practice purposes. They recommend a hand held one but my D never brings one because she says she never uses it because she can sight read music and does not feel a need to have a recording but some find this helpful to have. You can bring a CD player for pleasure though. </p>

<p>There are dances but they are not formal, just fun. Sometimes kids might dress for a theme and sometimes whatever they feel like, but not real dressy at all. My D is not home but as far as evening activities.....some nights are performances like the Camper Showcase (talent show), the dance performance show, the Show Sampler (a little number from every show), and some nights area various fun activities....not really sure what they are....like there is a Staff Showcase and like a Dating Game kind of thing. Not sure what else. My D does not mention that much. Rehearsals end at 9 PM I think and then there is some activity until curfew but I am not sure that activity is always required or not. Hope that helps. </p>

<p>Since you are a kid, you might want to ask some of that sort of stuff of other campers on Stagedoor's own forums. It would help you to gather way more perspectives than mine and most of all, from kids who go, not a mom who has never gone (thankfully cause I can't sing!). </p>

<p>Susan</p>

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<p>Sue- thanks for the info-Does the 8 x 10 photo have to be black and white or can it be color? If it can be color, that is an easy thing. And he has black pants, white dress shirt and a red t-shirt with him so I guess he is set.
How did your daughter know about M? Boy the communication line is strong!!! He snuck a quick 30 second call in to me this AM so I found out. He is very happy but overwhelmed by the work-he says there is alot to learn in a short time. But, I am not worried. He is a quick learner and will do just fine.</p>

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<p>Audi.....the photo can be and usually is in color. Sounds like M. has the clothes he needs. </p>

<p>My D has told me it is VERY difficult for any kid to have a lead in a show and also be NEW to OTC. It is a TON of work to learn both in a very short time. But I know he is psyched and will handle it and they gave him this cause they felt he could. LOTS of solos in OTC have opened up now for the next kids in line (lots of members just left).....it'll be great for him. Wish I could see it. I am going down for the Anniversary bash with my D who would not miss it. I don't know your son (I did see Les Mis though) but maybe my D will run into him but I doubt she will be hanging with me but will be with her crowd of returning alum which I guess she now is as well. </p>

<p>As far as how I heard the news.....it spreads like wild fire amongst Stagedoorians. If anyone (who is not at camp) hears something, they call and tell their friends. </p>

<p>Susan</p>

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<p>Well...Defying..I hate to say my D. took her brand new cassette recorder to rehearsal and set it down while she did stuff the director wanted her too and when she went back the recorder was missing. It had a label with her name on it but its a removable one. I hope someone picked it up accidently and will return it to her.</p>

<p>She has never needed one before so I am sure she will do fine without it..but its will be disappointing if it doesnt show up.</p>

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<p>Yes that would be. I hope she finds it. How was her second day of rehersals? Better I hope.</p>

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<p>Well she is one happy camper! First off she found out she had some small solos and speaking parts in the show she had been cast in (I think most of the kids did)..BUT she felt that it was not the right place for her. So I am not sure what happened but she told me she was placed in a different show. And she is very happy with the new one she was put into!
She loves the classes and aside from missing her cassette recorder she is having a great time!</p>

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<p>Glad to hear she is happy and enjoying herself. Before she knows it, it will be over. It seems to go so fast and the last week they are in rehearsals all day/every day until show time. Would you like to share with us the show she is in now?</p>

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<p>YAY Brownsugar's D. has an eagle eye and spotted D's cassette recorder underneath a chair. She said the name label stood out or she wouldnt have noticed it! (I had bought stick on name labels in addition to the iron on ones)</p>

<p>Defying when you go do be sure to label everything..there is not a lot of room and stuff can easily get lost. I ordered labels a week before we went and they worked great. Also you may want to take a box of wipes to wipe a sink or something down, a box of tissues.(dont think they had these) and a disposable camera.</p>

<p>AudiB4 - D. is in the Aida ensemble. She lucked out because the day she joined they had a quickie scale audition and they selected some of them to be handmaidens and she got picked.</p>

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<p>Glad your D is happy now. The girl who is playing Aida has a very good voice. </p>

<p>Which show was she cast in originally? Was it Let The Good Times Roll? I ask because you mentioned that all the kids in her show had little solos and lines and that is not true of most musicals but it IS true of revue style shows. While I don't know this specific revue show, SDM does at least one musical revue type show per session and my D has been in a couple and they are really great. One of the things that I like about them is that every kid gets featured and there are more opportunities for each cast member than in a traditional musical where the ensemble might not solo. There are many leads in a revue show. This particular one is being directed by David Mellencamp who my D REALLY likes. Her second show her first summer was a revue with him directing (Perfectly Frank, the music of Frank Loessur) and I thought he did a great job with the kids (they were younger) and it is a favorite of mine there. She also did Oklahoma with him and he again put on a fine production, great dance. I have seen some of his other shows. My D would have loved to have worked with him again. </p>

<p>One revue my D did at Stagedoor was such a wonderful musical and it was a premiere and I think created for SDM that session. They brought in a special director for that one time only to put it on and cast many talented kids in it. It was called Another Openin' Another Show and it consisted of the opening production numbers from 40 different musicals. Some were group, small group, duet and solos but all were the openings to musicals. Such great music. It was very entertaining. The director was a HUGE inspiration to my D. This man danced on Broadway as well as won an Emmy for choreography of the Miss America pageant. The amazing thing about him was.......he was missing BOTH his legs since he was a toddler and had prosthetic legs. He wore pants and you could not tell. He taught every dance number, including things like the opening production tap number to 42nd Street and the opening jazz number to Chorus Line. I thought I would share that story of not only a great revue style show at SDM but a most inspiring individual. </p>

<p>I think sometimes kids might be disappointed when they first hear what show they got because they have not heard of the show.....like this session, maybe if a kid got Let The Good Times Roll, The Baker's Wife, or Big River, they didn't really have an idea of what it was or how great it was going to be because they had heard more about shows like Aida or Miss Saigon, recent hits on Bdway. That can happen.</p>

<p>How did she manage to switch shows? </p>

<p>Susan</p>

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<p>No she was not disappointed because she had never heard of the show. She thought the play was very cute with some good songs. She was disappointed by the group meetings (she went to several). She did not feel it was the right place for her. As I said before she is super easy going and happy so something wasn't right. </p>

<p>I really dont want to share the name of the show out of respect for the kids that are in it and the director. But please note that it was not because of the play itself.</p>