Notes on Camp: Day Zero

Rude Mechanicals, 2019

We emerge from quarantine, if not from pandemic. Since 2010 Great Lakes Theater has held a two-week summer arts camp at Berea-Midpark High School (formerly Camp Theater!) for kids from kindergarten to high school. I am happy to say there were campers who returned year after year.

Scenes from Club Improv (2019)

Two years ago, when the inevitable decision to cancel camp was made, we offered a virtual version for a week in June 2020. It was simply part of the general contribution of goodwill provided during that season of disappointment and uncertainty. We got to see the familiar faces of kids we would not be meeting in person for some time, if ever again.

Last year we didn’t have any kind of camp at all.

This is a year of change, as the camp will be hosted in a new location, and incorporate music and dance into our lesson plans. This year I am working closely with Kelly Elliott, as we team-teach middle and high school aged campers in stage combat and improvisation.

Also? A trio of interns, Ally, Connor and Sylvia, all former campers, who either graduated from high school this or last year. We have instructed them since they were kids, now they will work alongside us.

Good Lord, I could cry. I'm really looking forward to this.