American Shakespeare Center Theatre Camp FAQs

For your convenience, our FAQs are divided into three categories:

Life at Mary Baldwin College
Play Rehearsals
What Else Should I Bring

Life at Mary Baldwin College

Question 1: What are the living arrangements?

Campers are housed in the PEG Center, just two blocks from the Blackfriars Playhouse. Built in 2002, the PEG Center is the newest dorm on Mary Baldwin's campus. Air conditioning and wireless internet are just a couple of the amenities offered.

Tour the PEG Center here.

Question 2: How many campers room together in a dorm?

Dorm rooms are double occupancy, but some rooms house up to three campers.  Each room is equipped with twin beds and desks.  You must provide your own bedding, pillows, sheets, towels, etc.
You are welcome to decorate your room with posters or pictures, but must use double sided tape as opposed to thumb tacks.  

Question 3: Are there bathrooms in each dorm room?

There are two community showers and toilets on each floor, each serving approximately 10 campers. We also separate by gender with the boys rooming on one floor with male counselors, and the girls on a different floor with female counselors.

Qeustion 4: What outdoor or exercise facilities are available to campers?

Mary Baldwin College is located on 54 acres, with large field, varied outdoor spaces along with tennis courts made available to the ASC Theatre Camp.  We tend to keep campers fairly busy during the day; however, we usually organize a morning running group led by one of our counselors.  

Question 5: What is the food like at Mary Baldwin College? 

Hunt Dining Hall is a state of the art dining facility offering many choices with every meal. We are able to accommodate all health concerns and dietary restrictions. Vegan, vegetarian, or have a food allergy? No problem. Want to learn more about dining at MBC? Visit this link.

Question 6: What is the security like at Mary Baldwin?

Like all residential colleges, Mary Baldwin has on-campus security. In addition, our very capable counseling staff are with campers 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The PEG Center features an alarm system that ensures proper access. Counselors perform nightly “lights out” checks, as well as, give morning “wake-up” calls to make certain everyone is safe.

Question 7: What is the ratio of adult supervisors to campers?

Between our directors, counselors, master class teachers, and additional staffers, the ratio is about 1 adult to every 4 campers.

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Play Rehearsals

Question 1: Will I be cast in one show or all three?

Each ASC Theatre Camp participant is cast in only one of the three shows we have slated for each Session.  You might receive one role or several depending on the demands of the play.  
Question 2: Are there auditions for the plays?

Yes, we do indeed conduct auditions on the first full day of camp.  Auditions are a combination of traditional monologue performance and collaborative improvisational techniques which simply require a willingness to play and creative choices in the moment.
All directors and counselors are present for these auditions and will cast their shows immediately following the audition.  We usually post cast lists and distribute scripts that same  day, so you can begin familiarizing yourself with your part before your first rehearsal.

Question 3: How often do we rehearse?

Rehearsals take place 6 days a week and are scheduled in 3 hour blocks.  You are encouraged to schedule meetings with counselors or grad interns for extra help with line-learning and/or scene/monologue coaching.  Our experienced staff considers working with campers on their parts a big highlight of their job at camp.

Question 4: Where does ASC Theatre Camp perform their final shows?

On the final day of camp, we take over the Blackfriars Playhouse for the afternoon in order to perform all three plays one right after the other.  Our program usually begins with a devised pre-show featuring all campers at 11:30am and the first show starts at noon.  We finish the day with a quick strike at the Blackfriars and then a big celebratory picnic with parents and friends on the grounds of Mary Baldwin.

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What Else Should I Bring?

Texts: We ask that all campers bring a copy of the Complete Works of William Shakespeare.  The two annotated versions we recommend are The Riverside Shakespeare or The Complete Shakespeare, editor, David Bevington.  

Musical instruments: No matter your skill level we encourage everyone to bring a musical instrument of some sort.  Shakespeare’s plays are full of music and the ASC’s trademark is to highlight all of that wonderful music, both during, before and at the end of the plays.

Costumes: Whether it is for the plays, masquerade dance, or pre-show entertainment sketches, we encourage everyone to bring some favorite funky pieces of clothing that show a sense of character.  It could be anything from a cool hat to a dramatic dress, but most of all it should be something you think looks interesting from an audience’s perspective.

Movement Clothes:  Because we are a theatre camp everyone is required to wear clothes that allow for full physical movement without being too revealing in rehearsals and performances master classes.  If you have a dance background feel free to bring jazz or character shoes, otherwise, bring sneakers.

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Questions? Contact our Camp Life Coordinator, Tom Dumontier (540.885.5588 x25).

Looking for a place to stay in Staunton when you come to view the final performances? The Stonewall Jackson Hotel is offering a special rate for ASC Education events! Use this link to place reservations, or call the hotel and mention what education event you'll be attending in order to claim the discount.

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