<p>For the most part (in ANY type of SDM or other production), if your child is cast in a period piece, jewelry would not be appropriate to wear. Any accessories would be provided by the costume shop.</p>
<p>I forgor to add that her entire costume wil be provided by the costume shop. They have an amazing inventory. She will need the black skirt, etc. if she is cast in the "Our Time Cabaret". From my D's experience, the girls in her room often borrowed clothes back and forth--so be prepared. At the end of every session, I alway had to mail a few items back to their original owner.</p>
<p>Susan (or others in the know), I have two more questions:
1. What happens, if anything, on Sunday of parents weekend if the kid is staying on for the next session? Do we get to see them Sunday morning, and if so, are there specified times after which we are asked to leave? Also, would it be reasonable for a grandparent to visit as well and see the shows, or will it be so crazy/crowded with very little down time? 2. I remember you said if a kid gets into OTC, they are in for the future as well without need for further audition -- is it the same for master acting? Thanks.</p>
<p>On Sunday,the staff wants parents to leave before lunch. Most visitors clear out between 10-11 am. Many grandparents and extended family do visit. It is a very hectic weekend with not much down time. You will at least have the chance to go out for one meal (albeit not too leisurely) with your child. I don't have personal experience with grandparents, but over the years I've had other relatives make the trek to see performaces. All were very glad to do so. My D isn't home right now, so I'm not sure what the rule is for Master Acting. She has taken it with several different directors. If Soozievt is out there maybe she can answer that one.</p>
<p>Are the bathrooms dorm style..so tons of gals share a bathroom or is there a bathroom per room? We were trying to figure out what the best way to transport stuff to and from bathroom was?
Also for towels..would you recommend 2 pool towels or is one good enough?
Thankyou!</p>
<p>One bathroom in each small hotel-sized room, so everyone is just steps away. According to reports, most rooms session one had as many as 6 girls sharing a room. Multi-use towels will do the job for pool and bath. Bring whatever amount the booklet suggests and be prepared to lose some of yours and take home some strange ones.</p>
<p>LOL!! Thanks for info..</p>
<p>Freelance has done a great job answer questions from parents of new campers. I've been in Maine. I will run down some of the questions...another perspective....</p>
<p>Names on belongings....it is best to put your child's name on everything, from clothing to everything else. For most clothing, I use iron on name tapes. For some things, a permanent marker. Freelance uses a permanent marker. How do I know? Because as she says, the girls tend to share clothes and are messy to boot and so we often go home with her D's stuff and vice versa. We use a permanent marker on things that are not clothing, be it music books, water bottles, Ipod, CDs, toilettries, etc. </p>
<p>It used to be that five girls were in most rooms at SDM. That was usually my child's case, as well. Last year she had six but it was out of mutual request with various friends. This year she is in one of the handful of rooms that is just for three but that is her first time in that situation, again from roommate requests (majority of her past friends are not back). However, when I was there recently, it appeared to me that many of the rooms (at least on the oldest girls' floor) had six in them (perhaps they are taking more kids now? conjecture) and my niece's room had six in it. EVERY room has its own private bathroom, a regular one sink/tub/shower, toilet type bathroom. So, it is not a group lavoratory like in many college dorms (though my college aged kid had this private kind of bathroom this past year, very nice). BUT beware there could be six girls sharing it. To transport stuff to the bathroom......actually, your D could leave stuff right in it because it is private but many kids bring a plastic tote, like at college to keep their stuff organized and separate. Since you have a D at college, try to think in similar terms as to what to bring. For towels, there is not hard and fast thing here....me...I send two beach towels for things like the pool and then send bath towels as well. Also, no room or need for a desk. The room might have three sets of bunkbeds, and six dressers in it, and nothing else fits. A lamp was merely a suggestion as I think the lighting could be better. If you go by car, you have the luxury of throwing such items in the car. </p>
<p>I don't think there is a problem with stealing but the problem for me with my kid is more of LOSING things. My kid has jewelry with her but most is not expensive but her watch which likely will come off in shows. The items that worry me most is the IPod and digital camera. She is bad with belongings. I don't think kids take these things (most have their own anyway). Put names on in permanent marker. It really is not all that different than having such belongings at college. So, decide what feels right for you and your child in these matters. </p>
<p>I also recommend that you check the lost and found on the Sunday you pack up to leave as there is a ton of items that kids misplace. My husband makes the rounds of the backstage areas my child has been in too and believe me, that yields some of her dance shoes and jackets. Freelance knows my D has this "issue"! But rest assured, by the looks of backstage and the lost and found, she is not alone in this regard. </p>
<p>As Freelance mentioned, the costume shop is EXTENSIVE and I will add IMPRESSIVE. Not only do they have every costume under the sun, they also create new ones for shows. They have costumers hired for every show. Your child does not have to provide anything in terms of costumes, though it helps to own a pair of character shoes but the costume shop has an array of those and many other shoes for roles. Leotards are useful if your child takes dance and will be in the dance show. While the handbook mentions a black skirt and white blouse, frankly that is OUTDATED information. It USED to be that every camper was taken to a resort hotel to do a show "sampler" for a paying audience....it was like one scene from each production and girls needed this outfit for that show. That has not been done now for several years and is done one night at camp for the rest of camp and NOT in black and white. The other reason that outfit is listed is because if a kid got into the Our Time Cabaret, the female performers used to wear white blouses and black skirts but that also changed several years ago to personal variations of black, white, and red.....any clothing of these colors. It need not be a skirt in fact. My D has been through all these variations as she has been in the cabaret since 1998 when you had to have the blouse and skirt. Since then, cast members had to wear anything in black, white, or red (individual variations). It still is the latter but featured dancers now all wear a dance jumpsuit that the camp has purchased so she is one of those kids so does not wear her own clothing in cabaret. If your child gets into cabaret, she would just have to own a top and bottom in red, black or white or any combination and frankly, kids share clothes a lot so don't worry. For all the musicals and dramas, she will be costumed by the camp. </p>
<p>Brown Sugar.....grandparents are definitely welcome at SDM and you will see many at performance weekend (including from my family). There is NOT a lot of down time for "visiting" because campers (and most parents) also want to catch other shows when their own kid is not in one, so it is like a big theater weekend and you might want to warn grandparents what the scene is like. But there is time to go out to lunch or dinner (though often it is hurried if your child has to be back to camp for call). On Sundays, if your child is staying over, you have that morning with them that is not scheduled but you really need to leave by around 11:30 AM and then the kids go off to the movies. BUT let me warn you that the kids are like zombies that morning because they have been up just about all the previous night at this big thing they have for everyone there. Also, for the kids leaving ,it is a big cry fest and your kid is running off to say good bye to this one and that one and so it is not like you are having a leisurely visit, lol. I used to use the time to get her room back in some semblance of order for my own peace of mind for the following three weeks because it was a pig sty and you could not see the floor or find a thing. My kid was usually off running to say goodbye to whoever was leaving. This year is different cause SHE is leaving...only staying three weeks. </p>
<p>You asked about Master Acting...I THINK you are truly asking about Master Acting CLASS (not the new Players Ensemble which is the drama version of the cabaret, started this year for first time), right? My D is not here to ask but I think you must reaudition for Acting Master Class, as it is a class, not a cast or ensemble. My feeling is, however, if you have made it into that level once, you likely will again. She has. It is more like a "level" of class, not a troupe or performance. Is your D in Acting Master Class now? If so, she likely can get in again next session, but must reaudition (and in subsequent years as well). If she is not in it now, she will have a chance to audition to get into it next session again. </p>
<p>The Our Time Cabaret is a cast and once you are cast, you are permanently cast and never reaudition and continue to be in it whenever you stay another session or come back another year. There are open slots every session. New kids got in it this session. There surely will be some openings next session because off the top of my head, my D and several of her friends in it, are not coming back.</p>
<p>I'll try to answer your PM questions when I get a chance. I hope I meet ya on show weekend as our D's shows are at contrasting times and so I know I am going to watch your child's show and perhaps you will see my D's show (it is truly fun to catch lots of shows and enjoy them and catch all the talent). </p>
<p>Susan</p>
<p>On the white blouse and skirt..are you saying then that it could be black jeans and white t-shirt instead? I would like to simplify the packing as much as I could what would you recommend she takes for clothes in case she is in the cabaret? She does have a silky white blouse but its not her favorite.</p>
<p>BTW Barb told me it used to be you did not have to re-audition for cabaret..but these days they made everyone reaudition ..however she said there may be a couple kids who were exceptions like your D.</p>
<p>And they are not to take food correct? Or are small snacks ok?</p>
<p>Also I sent in the recommended canteen money should she take cash also?</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>When does Our time cabaret perform if they dont do the hotel shows anymore?</p>
<p>Also iron on name tags? Where do you find these or are they something you had to order?</p>
<p>Thanks Susan!</p>
<p>If a kid gets into Cabaret, ANY combination of white, red, and black clothing will do, though I don't normally see jeans in it. A girl might wear slacks or capris or a skirt and top. Most kids own something that is black or white or red. Do not buy anything for this. </p>
<p>As far as reauditioning for cabaret.....there is NO specific audition FOR cabaret so you might have misunderstood Barb a bit. If you are auditioning to be in a musical, you sing. From THOSE auditions, they generate a cabaret call back list and cast new kids from these callbacks. NOBODY who has ALREADY been in cabaret previously gets called back because they are STILL in cabaret...my daughter has NO special privileges. She auditions to get into a musical like anyone else. She is in cabaret permanently like ANY OTHER kid previously in cabaret. When people talk about who got into cabaret, they are ONLY referring to who NEW got into cabaret. What Barb must have meant is that EVERY kid must audition when they get to camp to be cast in a show. If staying a second session, a kid need not reaudition but they can choose to do so. I am positive that this information is correct. So if Barb is saying everyone reauditions, well, yes, everyone auditions when they get to camp. Previous cabaret cast members audition to get placed into a show but are never called back for cabaret callbacks. </p>
<p>While the handbook says no food, do what you think you feel comfortable with. </p>
<p>Cash is not truly necessary as there is the canteen account. There is a drink machine which it is handy to have cash for though kids likely can get it out of their canteen account. My kid usually has a teeny amount of cash on her but it is not necessary. Maybe your kid could have like ten bucks on her. </p>
<p>Our Time Cabaret performed for 25 years at least at two resort hotels the days before parent weekend and this was abollished two years ago. It has always also been performed and continues to be performed around 11 PM on Saturday night of parent weekend but is only open to parents of cast members plus the rest of the campers (your D will see it but you will not if she is not in it). All parents can see any of the other shows, however. </p>
<p>You can order iron on name tapes.....just research it online and get your order in now. </p>
<p>Hope that helps. Remember you can visit the Stagedoor message board to get other perspectives as well as call camp for information. The handbook covers most things you need to know. For some reason, I never got the handbook this year but have it from past years and think it provides the main information. </p>
<p>Susan</p>
<p>Barb said that in the past kids were automatically put in the cabaret who had done it years before..but she said they found that there were so many repeats that fewer new kids got in so they reevaluated everyone. Then I mentioned what you had said about kids just going back in and she said that a few kids would automatically be in ..but most would not and their tryout would be a reaudition. I am very clear on what she said..but perhaps since she does not deal with that area she is not clear on what they are doing and they are doing it differently. I just know what she said to me.</p>
<p>I am not that concerned about cabaret anyway...seems like a fun opportunity..but then the classes seem great too and I understand if you are in the one you miss out on the other so whatever will work fine.</p>
<p>Good news! D. finally decided on her 16 bars.!!!</p>
<p>Would you all suggest buying labels with name AND phone number or just name?</p>
<p>Never got to thinking phone number may not be a good idea. So will just do name.</p>
<p>Angst, as mentioned, you are just getting my perspective on here. If you have lots of questions, you may want to call the camp to get the official word. The other idea is to ask these questions on Stagedoor's own message board because then you get lots of opinions and perspectives and experiences. Also, Barb is the head of running the camp but she has nothing to do with theater. I don't mean that as her not knowing about theater as she certainly does because she runs the place but her oversight is much more in the running of the camp in all the respects NOT to do with theater. While she is the "head honcho", she deals with things like enrollment, staff, the living situation, the well being of the kids the parents, etc. etc. The person who is in charge of producing the shows and casting is Konnie. The office staff, particularly Ellen or Cindy, can answer some of the nitty gritty or logistical stuff that you want to know. Ellen has been running the office for years and she has two daughters who have gone there, one who just graduated from Tisch and one who is 18 and is there now for her tenth summer (and is rooming with my daughter). You could call to ask these things directly cause I am truly just a parent and not necessarily the official answer on stuff. I am happy to share here and help those new to this program and have relished in joy at the number of kids both in my state and on the internet who have chosen to go to SDM after hearing about it from me, as I wish other kids to enjoy what my theater obssessed kid has for years. But I definitely do not know all there is to know and simply have watched from the sidelines. In fact, a camper would know more than me about this stuff so you might want to ask those on the camp message board some of these things. Some of your questions, such as the name tapes, there is no correct answer and everyone does something different. Freelance uses marker, I use iron on. As far as phone number, not a bad idea but I only put phone numbers on jackets, backpacks, and things like the IPod, but not every personal item. Just do what feels comfortable for you. You have a daughter who goes to college and this is a bit like that. Though I admit to finally NOT name taping when my older one went to college cause finally she does her OWN laundry! But her name is on items that leave her room like her jackets and expensive equipment. I recommend you putting names in dance shoes and the like, as these things get lost and mixed up. </p>
<p>What Barb said about cabaret is not all that different from what I am saying. They do not reaudition FOR cabaret. There is NO cabaret audition. You audition to get into a musical, so in effect, everyone IS auditioning. For new slots in cabaret, however, there are callbacks/cuts to get in. I have never met anyone who had been in it previously who did not get in it upon staying another session or another year OR who has had to attend the cabaret callbacks. Barb might be saying that philosophically speaking, you are reauditioning (as you do have to audition when you get to camp) and they are not GUARANTEEING you a slot in Cabaret if you were a problem or something in the past...you have to be cast again officially speaking. So, if some kid in cabaret was not reliable or something like that, then it is not a given to be back in it again. I hope that explains it. </p>
<p>For new campers, I would very much DE-emphasize cabaret. You work your way up some place. It is only logical that someone whom they have seen on stage before and know their work ethic, etc. might have a better shot at a slot in this cast than someone they have only seen do an audition, though NEW kids DO get into cabaret each year. Remember, there are kids who have waited a long time to get into it as well. For instance, Freelance's D is EXTREMELY talented. This girl has played numerous leads at SDM and is going to CCM (and had many other BFA acceptances) and she was NOT in cabaret for her first few years but eventually got into it for many years subsequently and in fact, was a featured soloist in it. That is but one example. I would downplay cabaret. It is simply an ensemble. All kids will be in a show and all kids have classes. In fact, if your child does not do cabaret, she gets to take more classes. Cabaret can be likened to varsity sports in high school. Sometimes you are on JV for a while, prove yourself, and make it to varsity in later years. </p>
<p>I have tried to help because I obviously have a kid who goes to this program, but I gotta get to some other things, sorry!</p>
<p>Susan
PS....I just will leave you with one funny anecdote about phone numbers on belongings. As mentioned previously, I do put phone numbers on things like jackets or backpacks. My older D is a ski racer and for instance, she must shed all her outer layers at the top of the race course before the race (down to her lycra race suit) and then huge piles of jackets and snow pants are then brought down in huge bagloads to the bottom of the mountain and many kids' ski wear looks the same so it is important to have phone numbers on stuff (everyone is from different states and all) and the stuff is EXPENSIVE. So, she is now off at college. One night after dinner, my phone rings, and the person on the line asks for my D and I say she is not home and ask what it is about and the girl says, she just found her Northface fleece jacket in the dining hall and saw there was a number on it and figured she was calling the kid up who it belonged to and I laughed and said that the number was her home phone in Vermont (she was at Brown in RI), back from when I put her names on everything. I thanked the girl for being so honest as to have turned it into the cafeteria and to have called the owner to tell her. So, I called my D up on her cell at school and said, "you left your jacket in the cafeteria!" and she could not imagine how in the world I would know that! And I told her about the call and how it was from when I put the number in it back in high school! So, she had left it there after dinner and went back to get it but it was kinda funny at the time. Ya never know when it will come in handy. Now, this is my child who rarely loses a thing and is super responsible. I can't imagine the scenario next year when my 16 year old is in NYC......whoa....Freelance knows what I mean on this one!</p>
<p>I have a question and Im not sure if any of you would know this? Someone on the camper message board asked if they could do Sweet Charity this year, to which Konnie replied they couldnt because it is now on Broadway. Yet they did Chicago in 2002 and it was on Broadway then. Why can they do Chicago while it was on Broadway ( and still is) but not Sweet Charity? Did Sweet Charity mabye pull there rights?
Also when I'm at home alone I sing loud but when I audition I get scared and sing low. Does that basiclly guarentee an ensemble part? Any tips to getting over this before auditions?
Also I was watching Camp and when Vlad is auditioning there are 3 people watching him. Is the blonde women Konnie?She says something like OMG an acutal boy?Or are they actors? Speaking of Camp my mom works with a guy who once worked with the producers of Bombay Dreams and knows many Broadway people. Everyone in the Broadway circut so to speak insists Camp is based on French Woods and not Stagedoor. Im almost 99% sure its based on Stagedoor but fi anyone could clear this up. He insists its French Woods and claims he has never heard of Stagedoor. On another note my dads doctors neice went to stagedoor a bunch of years ago ( im thinking early 90's mabye) she graduated and now works at the Roundabout theatre company in Manhattan. He raved about it and could not speak more highly of it. He said she went for a few years and loved it. Her name I feel like saying is Rebecca or Hannah Pine but dont quote me on that.</p>
<p>Camp is based on Stagedoor..they quote the director at the SDM site and he says so. I tried to watch that movie but I did not like it. I think that the people doing the auditioning and the rest are actors..though I understand maybe some went to SDM at one time?</p>
<p>As far as the Cabaret goes Susan. As I mentioned earlier I really think it sounds fun but I think the classes sound wonderful ..Now that they dont entertain at hotels its probably not as big a deal anyway. My D. seems more excited about the classes. I am sure she will have fun wherever she is..
she is a very relaxed, go with the flow person.</p>
<p>DefyingGravity,
I don't know about the rights to Sweet Charity and Konnie ought to know. However, it is a moot point because Sweet Charity was done two years ago at SDM and they don't ever repeat a show within a three year time span. </p>
<p>For auditions, I would suggest practicing in front of some people...maybe family members or friends and get used to presenting in front of a group and projecting and acting your song. Ask them for feedback. If you have a voice teacher, run it with that person. The more you audition, the more you get better at auditioning. Please know that whatever part you get, the experience of doing shows at SDM, taking classes, bonding with other souls who are passionate about theater, is quite fun no matter the role. </p>
<p>With the movie, CAMP, please realize that this is a FICTIONAL movie. The people in it are ACTORS and the story is made up. The casting people in the movie are not the ones at camp (so, no, none are Konnie!). At the real camp, the shows are cast by Konnie (producer and director of all theater), Larry (director of dance) and Jeff (director of the cabaret and also directs a musical), and I'm not sure but Chris might also be involved (he is in charge of program/classes and often directs a drama). IN the movie, which I have not seen in a long while, the blond may have been one person who was not so much a hired actress but was Carl (the owner and director of SDM who has since died)'s second wife, Camilla, who had married Carl around that time and had been a director of a show at camp at the time. But almost everyone in CAMP is a hired and cast actor, not from Stagedoor Manor. My D has a couple older friends from SDM who had small parts in the movie but most of folks in the movie never attended SDM, ever. The pianist was/is a music director there, Brad. CAMP is definitely based on Stagedoor Manor, NOT French Woods Festival (I have a child who attended French Woods and I know this to be fact). The person who wrote and directed CAMP, Todd Graff, is a former camper and counselor at SDM and his story is loosely based on HIS experiences of going there, though the story/film does not seem too true to what it is really like if you ask kids who go there and have seen the film. It is more about Todd's story and has themes in it that relate to his experience. If you want to prove to this person that CAMP is loosely based on SDM, do any internet search on the film and it is readily apparent. Look at the credits at the end of the film. Also, the entire film was shot AT SDM itself, starting the day the campers left from third session in 2002. The film crew even came to camp to get ready while it was in session. Once my D was called to tap dance on stage for the crew to do a sound check in the theater for the film (she was NEVER in the film though). This guy who says that everyone on the Broadway circuit thinks CAMP is based on FWF just does not know what he is talking about. It is pretty common knowledge on the Bdway circuit and in all the Bdway news type websites that the film was based on SDM. Perhaps this person was associated in some way with FWF because for reasons I could never fathom, there is this "rivalry" between these two theater programs. I think they are both great but different. After all, I had one child at one and one at the other (both were happy campers), so I know both programs pretty well. But there is an "anti" the other camp at each place. if anything, it is the FWF folks who from time to time post something on the SDM site putting it down. I never did get that. Both are very good programs. Hope that clears that up for ya.</p>
<p>"there are callbacks/cuts to get in"</p>
<p>I didnt realize they had callbacks...do they have those for the shows also?</p>
<p>Also they asked on application for the name of local newspaper...do they send something in to the paper ?</p>