I close my binder, full of photos, play bills, a worn-out
script and my unreadable notes, up on the shelf in my studio with all the many
plays I have written. This was a favorite. I guess at the time of each show,
that particular play is my favorite. I love writing these shows for drama camp.
Friday night’s show at Lima Brighton was the culmination of
another week of drama camp sponsored by LCYC. As I was introducing the show, I said,
“I think it has been eight years or nine years or a hundred years, not really
sure!”
We started out last Monday. It was as if it was a class
reunion. Holly and Brianna were so thrilled to see so many of their friends
audition for the play. They only get to see them once a year, but the theatre
has a bind about itself which is different from many activities. There were a
few new ones too, although I did have to have a cut-off number. Does everyone
want to do drama camp? I think so! Several are signed up for next year’s camp
already! We don’t even have a date!
After the shrieks and hugs and conversations, we got right
to work. By noon, I introduced the new play. On Tuesday morning, we hold
auditions. By Tuesday noon, the parts are given out. There really is something
for everyone! By Wednesday we block and get right to work. It is an amazing
journey. Thursday they are taught the dance, and a dress rehearsal. The
Thursday afternoon rehearsal was a déjà vu of Hitchcock in February when the
lights went out. Storms were predicted, but we were working away oblivious to
the weather. It did grow dark outside…wind, rain, hail and then the power went
out. It was dark on the stage where we were, of course, rehearsing. In part of
our play, “The Jukebox Heist,” the lights really do go out! So, I thought, of
course, it was one of our students practicing with the lights, but no, it was
the real thing. And it was dark, very dark. I simply said, “Go get your
phones.” Of course, they were reciting my words back to me as I do not allow
phones at any rehearsal. “No, no,” I said, “go get your phones, and turn on the
flashlights.” They did. We sat knee to knee on the stage rehearsing our lines of
the show. Jennifer Martin, the LCYC executive director, said it was her. I
assured her that it was definitely me! We finished the entire afternoon with
our flashlights. Once again, as in Hitchcock, these young actors will never
forget that afternoon.
By Friday morning the power was back on and we are ready to
roll. I ask for no scripts on Friday
morning although they could do line call. I never know how they do it exactly.
I mean, it is a 40-minute show. I ask for them to learn the whole show so they
know where to come in, and to cover for any one forgetting their lines. I know
Holly and Brianna spend every moment, outside of camp, learning and rehearsing
lines. Friday morning there were no scripts on the stage. Outstanding.
They were all back early on Friday night for costumes,
make-up, last minute dance practice and just to be together. Since this show
took place in a diner, we transformed the stage and the seating area to look
like a diner. All the tables had red and white checked tablecloths, bubble gum
adorned the tables. Jen made popcorn so everyone who came received popcorn. Jen
and I also grabbed aprons to complete the scenario. Of course, there is that
old saying, “If you build it, they will come.” By the time the 7:00 bell rolled
around every seat was taken…every seat! They were marvelous and dare I say,
adorable? Well, they were. It was an outstanding show with a standing ovation.
What more could I ask for?
I love working with Jen; she makes my job so easy. She
cooks lunch for us every day, attends to every detail. This year, Tara Rinkle
Homan was my costume designer. She set up her sewing machine and trunks of
clothes to remake. The costumes were superb.
Another year for drama camp. I miss it already. I miss my girls as they flew back to Charleston on Saturday. The summer of the grandchildren is over.
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