It’s Monday morning and we gather in a circle. Our nametags
are on, but most of us know each other. I wait until the ten o’clock hour, and
I begin. “Welcome to LCYC Drama Camp. I am Miss Maggie.” I have said those
words so many years during the summer. Yes, it is once again time for drama
camp. From year to year I always feel I have plenty of time to finish the
script, edit and tidy it up before I send it to Jennifer Martin to print for
our young students. Yet, it seems during the week before it is fast and furious
getting the script around. But it always gets down and ready for our students.
Of course, they want to see the script the first thing on Monday morning, but
we keep the scripts under lock and key until after lunch.
My job is the easy one…I write and direct the show.
Jennifer Martin, director of LCYC, is the glue for all of us. She arranges the
location, all the helpers, lunches. She does the programs, and the social media
for our camp. She smiles the whole time assuring us all is well, and the show
will go on.
Even though Jenn takes everything off my plate, I do always
wonder…will the magic show up one more time? Will they learn the script, and be
able to leave it on the back table? Will there be costumes and make-up? The
answer to all of this is yes. These things always happen.
This year’s story takes place in 1789 in Seville, Spain. It
is, of course, one of my signature who-dun-it plays which involves the
audience. Usually, I don’t even tell the cast who-dun-it, but this year it had
to be woven into the plot!
After lunch on Monday, we hand out the scripts. I watch
them curiously as they quickly browse through the pages…lots of pages. They are
quiet as they peruse the script. They are looking for their parts. Who will
they be in the show? How hard is this script? I think this one is a little
difficult, but I have no worries. We have a small group too which is made up of
the younger students who are just toe-dipping into theatre. I have competent help
with Ellie and Ana to work on their young acting skills. The younger ones will be
performing the short pirate vignette between the scenes. Everyone will be on
stage. Everyone.
You know my passion is the theatre. Going back into history
we find theatre emerging in Ancient Greece in 700 BC in the City of Athens. The
Greeks focused on tragedy, comedy and satire. Of course, only men occupied the
stage. Not only could women not perform, but could not attend theatrical performances.
Theatre was considered an indecent occupation for women. Men played all the
parts. By 1660 during the Restoration period, it changed, and women were
allowed to take parts on the stage. Anne Marshall was the first female professional
actor in her performance of Othello. After that, all the rules changed, and
aren’t we glad about that?
I look at these young actors in my charge for the week. I
expect so much out of them. I tease them about taking the script with them
everywhere they go. I can always tell how much they are working outside of camp
as to how worn and torn their scripts look!!! (They don’t know I notice!) The
auditions go as planned and we have a cast. Of course, not everyone gets the part
they want, and that is okay. In theatre, as in life, we take it as it comes. I
have many returning students each year that I love watching the progression
from young actor with a line or two to a confident actor taking on the lead
role. That has happened again this year. The older students are mentors with
the younger ones!
So, our show goes on, and we would love to see you! We have
just one performance on Friday night at 6:30 at Lakeland Jr. Sr. High School.
There is no cost so bring the whole family! If you have a young person in the
show, you won’t want to miss it. It is also wonderful for these students to see
a nice audience. You will be amazed. They are all brave and excited to be on
that big stage. Come see us on Friday!
So, my dear cast, break a leg!
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