Happy Independence Day week from the ASC Theatre Camp!
After a full day of stage combat and music workshops, and pre-show and play
rehearsals, we finally got the chance to celebrate American independence. We
did so first by going to the flagpole located at the highest point of Mary
Baldwin College. There, Mary Baldwin’s president and his wife greeted and
welcomed us into their home for a special treat. Waiting
for celebrants of the Fourth was a lovely ice cream sundae bar complete with
three different flavors of ice cream, and every topping one could hope for.
By the time we had all received our ice cream (though some sneaked back for seconds) the sky was starting to darken, but it was lit up with a beautiful orange full moon. As we waited for the fireworks to begin, many decided to use the ice cream social to socialize with non-camp members. Though the blanket-spreading crowd consisted mostly of Staunton locals, some of our campers got to know some of the Heifitz campers who are also staying in the area. While Gabriel Komisar discussed the cello with some, Blaire Sharman and Marianna Moynihan decided to display their art instead. In this way, many of the locals viewed our campers conduct a brief hand-to-hand stage combat demonstration. That’s not the only thing that ASC Theatre Camp members brought to the picnic. Daniel Cassler decided to fight against the odds and fly a kite on what was a fairly breezeless evening. With a great deal of effort, his kite flew for a little while, entertaining those present. Though the campers had spread out on the hill a bit, the promise of sparklers quickly reunited them. Anticipating the forthcoming fireworks, our campers helped to light up the night sky. Although many campers celebrated the Fourth differently during the ice cream social, it was the variety and creativity with which they did that made it so much fun to watch. It spoke to the different strengths, interests, and attitudes of our campers. ASC Theatre Camp brings together students from all over the country, with different backgrounds and day-to-day lives, together to celebrate their love and interest of Shakespeare. A quirky bunch, we celebrated in true, wide-ranging, zany fashion.
By the time we had all received our ice cream (though some sneaked back for seconds) the sky was starting to darken, but it was lit up with a beautiful orange full moon. As we waited for the fireworks to begin, many decided to use the ice cream social to socialize with non-camp members. Though the blanket-spreading crowd consisted mostly of Staunton locals, some of our campers got to know some of the Heifitz campers who are also staying in the area. While Gabriel Komisar discussed the cello with some, Blaire Sharman and Marianna Moynihan decided to display their art instead. In this way, many of the locals viewed our campers conduct a brief hand-to-hand stage combat demonstration. That’s not the only thing that ASC Theatre Camp members brought to the picnic. Daniel Cassler decided to fight against the odds and fly a kite on what was a fairly breezeless evening. With a great deal of effort, his kite flew for a little while, entertaining those present. Though the campers had spread out on the hill a bit, the promise of sparklers quickly reunited them. Anticipating the forthcoming fireworks, our campers helped to light up the night sky. Although many campers celebrated the Fourth differently during the ice cream social, it was the variety and creativity with which they did that made it so much fun to watch. It spoke to the different strengths, interests, and attitudes of our campers. ASC Theatre Camp brings together students from all over the country, with different backgrounds and day-to-day lives, together to celebrate their love and interest of Shakespeare. A quirky bunch, we celebrated in true, wide-ranging, zany fashion.
While
the 4th of July is a day of celebration nationwide, it also happens
to coincide with the ASC Theatre Camp’s last week. During this last week, each
of the three casts gets to attend a late night dress rehearsal of the other
shows. So, after ice cream, fireworks, and less conventional activities, the
campers trekked downhill and were privy to an exclusive performance of Gallathea at Blackfriars Playhouse. The Gallathea cast delighted us with song,
dance, and hilarity for an hour before we headed back uphill to Mary Baldwin, ending
our Independence Day at 12am sharp.
-Madeleine M. Oulevey
-Madeleine M. Oulevey
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