ASC Theatre Camp

Take your relationship with Shakespeare to the next level at the ASC Theatre Camp, a residential summer intensive for students. Preview the college experience by living on campus at Mary Baldwin University while you work with professional theatre practitioners to prepare to strut and fret your hour upon the stage at the Blackfriars Playhouse.

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ASCTC 2024: June 30 – July 22, 2024

Open to: rising 8th graders (ages 13+) through rising college freshman
Shows: Troilus & Cressida and The Comedy of Errors
Campers audition on their first full day of camp to be cast in one of the session’s shows. Campers spend the next three weeks working with a director and a production team to mount their show in the Blackfriars Playhouse as part of the Final Performance Festival at the end of the session.
Perfect for first-time performers and seasoned camp veterans alike. 

 

From ASCTC 2023

ASCTC 2023: Showcase
Join us at the Blackfriars Playhouse on Sunday, July 9 at 10:30am for a showcase of scenes from throughout Shakespeare’s canon! Performed by campers and directed by camp staff, the ASC Theatre Camp Showcase is FREE and open to the public, but an RSVP is required. A Vimeo livestream will also be available at the time of the event.
Reserve Seats for the ASCTC Showcase Watch the ASCTC Showcase Livestream
ASCTC 2023: final performance festival
Come one, come all to the Final Performance Festival of the 2023 ASC Theatre Camp on Sunday, July 16 at 10:30am! Join us at the Blackfriars Playhouse for productions of Shakespeare’s Cymbeline (directed by Emily MacLeod) and Julius Caesar (directed by Natasia Reinhardt) performed by the next generation of theatre-makers. The Playhouse opens for seating at 10am. Each show runs approximately 90 minutes with no intermission. There will be a 15 minute interval between shows. Admission is FREE and open to the public, but an RSVP is required. A Vimeo livestream will also be available at the time of the event.
Reserve Seats for the Final Performance Festival Watch the Festival Livestream

q: How do I get in to Camp?

  • Attendance at Camp is by acceptance only: all prospective campers must apply to attend.

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  • Accepted campers will be sent an invitation to register. Please note that acceptance does not guarantee attendance. We will not hold an accepted camper’s spot until registration is complete. Registration of accepted campers is on a first-come, first-served basis.

Q: who is eligible to attend camp?

  • Camp is open to rising 8th graders through rising college freshman (or the equivalent, for home-schooled students), ages 13-19.
    • A graduated 12th grader who will be 19 at the start of camp is eligible to attend camp.
    • A graduated college freshman who will be 18 at the start of camp is not eligible to attend camp.
    • A rising 7th grader who will be 13 at the start of camp is not eligible to attend camp.
    • A rising 8th grader who will be 12 at the start of camp is not eligible to attempt camp.

Q: How much does Camp cost?

  • Tuition for ASCTC 2024 is $3950.
  • Tuition covers everything campers need from the moment they arrive in Staunton, including lodging, meals, and show tickets.

Q: Do you offer financial aid or scholarships?

  • Yes. ASC and our generous donors make it possible for us to offer Financial Aid, making the ASCTC experience more open to more campers. Accepted campers will receive a link to apply for financial aid in their acceptance email.
    • All applicants will have access to a number of opportunities, including two flexible funds:
      • The general financial aid fund, which may cover up to half the cost of tuition.
      • The Sydney Stark Jr. Memorial fund, which may cover up to the full cost of tuition.
    • And the fixed Military Family fund:
      • Campers of military families are invited to apply for an exclusive financial aid award. This award acknowledges the potential hardship of military family life, and encourages campers of military families to find a second home at ASCTC by providing at least half the cost of tuition.
  • All these funds are available through the financial aid application link found in a camper’s acceptance email. Deadline to apply for financial aid is April 15, 2024.
  • Campers can also apply for external Scholarships to help cover the costs of tuition:

Q: What is the deadline for applications?

  • Camper applications are considered on a rolling basis until the session is full or until the final application deadline, whichever comes first. Applications will be reviewed on the first of each month, with admissions decisions sent the following week.
  • The final deadline for all applications is May 1, 2024, and applications submitted after that will be considered for acceptance only if space is available.

Q: Where do campers live?

  • ASC Theatre Campers live on campus at Mary Baldwin University, a few blocks away from the Blackfriars Playhouse. Click here for more information about Tyson Hall, ASCTC’s main campus location, and MBU’s Program for the Exceptionally Gifted, housed there year-round.

Q: What pandemic precautions are you taking to prevent the spread of Covid-19?

  • The Covid-19 pandemic is a continuing and evolving public health crisis, and we remain flexible and alert in our response.
  • At this time, we are not planning to require proof of vaccination from ASCTC 2024 participants (though proof of vaccination will be required of all ASCTC 2024 staff members to the fullest extent permitted by law).
  • All participants will be required to disclose (and confirm, if applicable) their vaccination status to Camp administrative staff at the time of registration, and campers may be grouped or separated by vaccination status as needed and recommended by VDH.
  • We will follow the ASC SafeStart protocols for all events in the Blackfriars Playhouse and the MBU pandemic protocols while on campus, as well as all state and federal guidelines.
Apply by Wednesday, December 20, 2023.
The American Shakespeare Center seeks to fill the following positions for the 2024 ASC Theatre Camp:
  • 6 Residential & Directing Assistants (RDAs) in the following supervisory & artistic roles:
    • 2 Residential Team Captains (1 Music Director, 1 Combat Director)
    • 2 Residential Wellness Leaders & Assistant Show Directors
    • 2 Residential Social Leaders & Assistant Show Directors

Read on for detailed descriptions of each role, including responsibilities, employment dates, and compensation details.

Resident & Directing Assistants (RDAs)

ASC Theatre Camp Residential & Directing Assistants (RDAs) are more than just camp counselors: they are teachers, directors, supervisors, cheerleaders, role models, mentors, and fellow students. RDAs are the captains of dorm life, the production leaders and assistant directors for the mainstage shows, the mentors for the production interns, and the directors of the mid-session showcase performance.
The six RDAs work as a united team under the leadership of the two “Team Captains” who serve as liaisons between camp staff and ASC admin and as lead directors for the mid-session Showcase. Each member of the RDA team has specific roles to play in both the residence halls and the rehearsal rooms, outlined in more detail below.

QUALIFICATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS

  • Must be at least 21 years of age
  • Valid driver’s license and good driving record preferred
  • Must be willing to submit to (and pass) a standard background check
  • Experience performing, directing, and/or teaching Shakespeare (specifically) as well as a rich, diverse background in theatre arts (generally)
  • Exhibits dependability, punctuality, patience, teamwork, self-control, and enthusiasm
  • Possesses good leadership skills and responsibility
  • Demonstrates appropriate behavior at all times

RESPONSIBILITIES

SERVE AS A RESIDENT ASSISTANT FOR ALL CAMPERS

  • Supervise campers throughout the duration of their stay (e.g. escorting campers to and from rehearsals, meals, and activities during the day, being present and available in the dorms during downtime, etc.)
  • Serve as positive role models for healthy behavior
    • Work amicably and cooperatively with campers and staff members
    • Observe and promote all rules and regulations of ASC Theatre Camp
  • Fulfill all requirements of assigned Residential Role (Team Captain, Wellness Leader, or Social Leader; described below)
TEAM CAPTAINS
“Head” RDAs; in charge of coordinating residential staff meetings and schedules as well as camper dorm life, and facilitating communication between Camp Admin and the Residential Staff during the session.
  • Camp Administration (in collaboration with Camp Admin)
    • Assist with tracking keys for camp vehicles and facilities
    • Assist with managing petty cash and tracking camp expenses
    • Send out Daily Calls to ASC staff rotation list nightly
  • Staff coordination (in collaboration with Camp Admin)
    • Lead nightly meetings for residential staff
    • Schedule days off for staff members
    • Ensure adequate and equitable staff presence at all camp events
    • Serve as liaison between residential and administrative staff
    • Manage morning wake-up and evening lights-out in rotation with other RDAs
  • Camper dorm life
    • Track head counts for all meals eaten in Hunt Dining Hall
    • Manage camper check-outs
    • Coordinate off-campus shopping trips
WELLNESS LEADERS
In charge of all camper physical, emotional, and spiritual health and wellbeing needs not requiring the assistance or intervention of trained medical personnel.
  • Physical
    • Assist campers with daily medications as needed and able
    • Create and maintain first-aid kits at all camp locations
    • Provide transportation to urgent care as needed
    • Organize and supervise extracurricular athletic activities for campers based on need and interest (e.g. morning runs)
    • Take point on Covid testing procedures in the case of outbreak of exposure, including delegating testing assignments to other staff when needed
  • Emotional
    • Provide emotional support for campers as needed, which may look like:
      • Taking a walk with a camper who needs a break to help them regulate their emotions
      • Helping a homesick camper plan a good time to contact parents for a chat
      • Providing a listening ear for a camper who is having a bad day
      • Notifying Team Captains when a camper’s need for emotional support rises beyond the level of what we can provide at camp
  • Spiritual
    • Assist campers in locating services for worship as needed
    • Coordinate transport for campers who wish to attend services
SOCIAL LEADERS
In charge of coordinating camp life events as well as maintaining camp’s social media presence.
  • Event coordination
    • Create and execute themes for camp life events (e.g. Masquerade Ball, talent show)
    • Inventory and maintain event supplies (e.g. sunscreen, bug spray, decorations, etc)
    • Coordinate prep for camp field trips
  • Social media
    • Post daily on ASCTC social media outlets (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter)
    • Write and post regular blog entries about camp life activities on the ASCTC blog

SERVE ON PRODUCTION TEAMS FOR MAINSTAGE CAMP SHOWS

TEAM CAPTAINS: Fight & Music Directors

Team Captains are not assigned to a single mainstage show, but rather work as either the Fight Director or Music Director for both shows, and should split time between casts as needed.

Fight Captain responsibilities:

  • Work with Directors to identify moments of violence called for by the text
  • Develop safe and simple choreography that tells the story and can be executed safely by young amateur thespians
  • Teach combat to campers during rehearsals and run fight calls for run-throughs and performances
Music Captain responsibilities:
  • Work with Directors to choose a “show song” for their production
  • Arrange and teach the song to the cast in ASC’s “live and unplugged” style, focusing on what campers are able to perform themselves
  • Work with show teams on any other moments of music called for in the production as needed
  • Take point on the “All-Camp Song” performed in the mid-session Showcase
Team Captains are not required to attend regular mainstage rehearsals unless they are called, so they can use that time for their additional Residential Life responsibilities, Showcase prep, or to take time off as needed.

WELLNESS & SOCIAL LEADERS: Assistant Directors
By serving as Assistant Directors for one of the session’s mainstage shows, Wellness Leaders and Social Leaders also:
  • Attend production meetings with their artistic teams
  • Participate in pre-audition workshops during orientation
  • Prepare text for Tableaustry section of auditions
  • Attend auditions and casting sessions
  • Attend all daily rehearsals with their cast
  • Work individually with campers during rehearsals as qualified and as needed/assigned by the show’s Director
    • RDAs may be asked to block scenes, teach/review choreography, work with campers on text analysis, etc.
  • Work individually with campers on line memorization, choreography, music, and other production elements outside of rehearsals as needed

SUPERVISE PRODUCTION INTERNS

In addition to the general production responsibilities outlined above, Social & Wellness Leader RDAs will be in charge of supervising one of the production interns assigned to their show. While the interns should be the ones executing these tasks, RDAs are in charge of making sure they have what they need in order to be successful.

Stage Management Interns
  • Take blocking notes
  • Be “on book” during rehearsals
  • Write and send official daily rehearsal reports
  • Coordinate costume and prop check-out, organization, maintenance, cleaning, and strike
  • Keep time in rehearsal
Dramaturgy Interns
  • Review intern’s research and assist with compiling packet of information about the play(s)
  • Assist intern with dramaturgy presentation(s)
  • Assist director with script preparation process in the lead-up to camp
  • Maintain prompt copy of the text
  • Serve as general outside eye and advocate for the play throughout the rehearsal process, providing regular feedback to the director and/or the camp company on questions of staging and clarity

SERVE ON TEAM OF DIRECTORS FOR MID-SESSION SHOWCASE

RDAs also have a chance to stretch their wings as solo directors: each RDA will be responsible for directing a section of the mid-session Showcase performance, put together under the general direction of the Team Captains with input from Camp Admin. Showcase also includes the “All-Camp Song” (a musical number including all of the campers), which the entire staff helps campers put together under the general direction of the Team Captain Music Director.
More info: After the mainstage shows are cast, RDAs will work with Camp Admin to finalize the Showcase script and decide casting based on a) the distribution of parts for the mainstage shows, b) the strengths and interests of the RDAs, and c) the needs, wants, and desires of the campers (as listed on their audition forms). 

MAINSTAGE SHOWS

Troilus & Cressida (directed by Mili Koncelik)
The Comedy of Errors (directed by Natasia Reinhardt)

EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT DATES: June 29 – July 22, 2024

  • June 29: staff orientation
  • June 30: camper move-in
  • July 21: final performances
  • July 22: camper move-out and general strike

Residential Staff Members must attend orientation and stay through final strike. RDAs receive one day off per week, scheduled in rotation by the Team Captains.

COMPENSATION

$1,450 (Wellness & Social RDAs)
$1,600 (Team Captain RDAs)
A private room (or suite) in the residence hall with an en-suite bathroom
All meals for the duration of the contract
Apply by Wednesday, December 20, 2023.
The American Shakespeare Center seeks to fill the following positions for the 2024 ASC Theatre Camp:
  • 4 Production Interns in the following roles:
    • 2 Dramaturgy Interns
    • 2 Stage Management Interns
Read on for detailed descriptions of each role, including responsibilities, employment dates, and compensation details.

Production Internships

Get hands-on experience working in the thick of the theatre scene with an ASC Theatre Camp Production Internship. ASCTC 2024 Production Interns work as either the stage manager or the dramaturg for one of the mainstage shows, and as assistant directors for the mid-session Showcase.

QUALIFICATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS

  • Must be at least 18 years of age
  • Exhibits dependability, punctuality, patience, teamwork, self-control, and enthusiasm
  • Demonstrates exceptional organization, problem-solving, and communication skills
  • Valid driver’s license and good driving record (preferred)
  • Calm under pressure
  • A penchant for innovative, outside-of-the-box thinking
  • Willingness to experiment with an attitude of “Yes”

PRODUCTION RESPONSIBILITIES

As members of the production teams for the ASCTC 2024 shows, all Production Interns will:
  • Participate in all staff and orientation training in the days leading up to each session
  • Attend unified auditions and assist artistic teams with casting
  • Attend every rehearsal with your cast(s)
  • Serve as assistant directors for the mid-session Showcase
ASCTC 2024 Production Interns also work as either the stage manager or the dramaturg for their assigned mainstage show (under the supervision of the RDAs) and have additional specific production responsibilities according to their role:
DRAMATURGY
  • Assist with script formatting in the lead-up to Camp
  • Prepare dramaturgy packet of information about the play
  • Prepare and deliver a presentation summarizing your research to all campers, later to be adapted into a public joint presentation by both dramaturgs for a general audience at a “Friday Night Lights On” pre-show event towards the end of the session
  • Write and post daily “rehearsal recap” blog posts to the camp blog using the provided template
  • Take notes and provide feedback as directed by RDA supervisor and/or Director
STAGE MANAGEMENT
  • Take blocking notes
  • Be “on book” during rehearsals
  • Coordinate costume and prop check-out, organization, maintenance, cleaning, and strike
  • Keep time in rehearsal
  • Write and send out rehearsal reports after each rehearsal
Production Interns may also be asked to serve in other capacities throughout the rehearsal process as the demands of the production and the interests/talents of the intern dictate, including but not limited to:
  • text coaching
  • leading warmups
  • music arrangement and coaching
  • fight choreography and coaching

MAINSTAGE SHOWS

Troilus & Cressida (directed by Natasia Reinhardt)
The Comedy of Errors (directed by Mili Koncelik)

INTERNSHIP CONTRACT DATES: June 29 – July 22, 2024

  • June 29: staff orientation
  • June 30: camper move-in
  • July 21: final performances
  • July 22: camper move-out and general strike
Residential Staff Members must attend orientation and stay through final strike.

COMPENSATION

$300 stipend
All ASCTC Production Interns receive room & board for the duration of the internship.
Production Interns are often only called for a portion of the Camp day. Rather than a full day off each week, Production Interns’ schedules have more flexibility for daily downtime.

CAMP IN YOUR POCKET!

We found our people at Camp…now we can stay together everywhere!

Have you ever…

  • Longed to connect with your ASC Theatre Camp friends and colleagues at scheduled digital events?
  • Hoped to network with the Camp community to find your next internship (or intern)?
  • Yearned to access ASC’s educational resources in one place?
  • Wished you could keep Camp in your back pocket?

NOW YOU CAN!

Fulfill all these dreams and more by enrolling as a member of: the Epizeuxis Society.
*Epizeuxis (ep·i·zeux·is) is the rhetorical device that represents words in repetition

As part of your membership, you will receive direct access to all things Camp on Slack, the exciting new year-round digital world for the thriving ASC Theatre Camp community!

For as little as $5 a month, all current and former campers (and Camp staff!) can gain access to this exclusive digital bubble. In this safe space, you can chat, share resources, start video calls, and participate in exclusive digital programming hosted by the ASC — truly keeping Camp in your back pocket.

JOIN NOW

Here are just the highlights of what you will receive access to as a member of our Slack:

  • Exclusive lectures, workshops, and talkbacks with ASC professionals,
  • Access to ASC’s educational resources for use in your classroom, preparing for your big role, or behind the table in rehearsal,
  • Easy connection with the Camp community from your pocket,
  • Being welcomed into our community of donors,
  • Knowing you are helping keep the lights on at ASC in these hard times by joining for a donation of at least $5 a month.

We are ready for you — what are you waiting for?

JOIN NOW