ASCTC 2023

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.

June 25 – July 17, 2023

Open to: rising 8th graders (ages 13+) through rising college freshman
Shows: Julius Caesar and Cymbeline
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. 
Apply Now

Q: How do I get in to Camp?

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

Q: How much does Camp cost?

  • Tuition for ASCTC 2023 is $3900.
  • Tuition covers everything campers need from the moment they arrive in Staunton, including lodging, meals, and show tickets.

Q: Do you offer financial aid?

  • 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.
    • As well as some fixed amount awards:
      • The George Walton Williams award, a $2,000 camp scholarship awarded to a single applicant on the basis of need in the memory and honor of George Walton Williams.
      • The Stephen Booth award, a $2,000 camp scholarship awarded to a single applicant on the basis of need in the memory and honor of Stephen Booth.
      • The Thomas L. Berger award, a $2,000 camp scholarship awarded to a single applicant on the basis of need in the memory and honor of Thomas L. Berger.
    • Campers of military families are invited to apply for an exclusive scholarship 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, 2023.

Q: What is the deadline for applications?

  • The Early Application deadline is December 15, 2022. Early Application acceptance notifications will be sent out the following week. Priority is given to campers who apply early. 
  • Campers who apply after the Early Application deadline may be 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 15th of each month, with admissions decisions sent the following week.
  • The final deadline for all applications is May 15, 2023, 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 to see photos and take a virtual tour of the PEG dorm, ASCTC’s main campus location.

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 2023 participants (though proof of vaccination will be required of all ASCTC 2023 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, January 18, 2023.
The American Shakespeare Center seeks to fill the following positions for the 2023 ASC Theatre Camp:
  • 4 Residential & Directing Assistants (RDAs)
    • 2 Wellness Leaders
    • 2 Social Leaders
  • 4 Production Interns

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 for the mainstage shows, and the mentors for the production interns. RDAs also get to spread their directorial wings as directors for the mid-session showcase performance.
The RDAs work as a united team under the leadership of the two “Team Captains” who serve as liaisons between camp staff and ASC admin. Each member of the team has a specific role to play in both their capacities as a residential assistant — as a Wellness Leader or a Social Leader — and as assistant directors — and mentors for the Stage Management and Dramaturgy production interns — on their assigned mainstage show(s).
All RDAs receive a private room with an ensuite bathroom, plus all meals. RDAs receive one day off per week and must stay through the final strike at the end of the session.

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 (ALL RDAs)
  • Supervise campers throughout the duration of their stay
  • Escort campers to and from rehearsals, meals, and activities
  • Serve as positive role models for healthy behavior
  • Work amicably and cooperatively with all staff members
  • Observe and promote all rules and regulations of ASC Theatre Camp
  • Fulfill all requirements of assigned Residential Role (Wellness Leader or Social Leader; described below)
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
    • Take point on Covid testing procedures, including delegating testing assignments to other staff as needed
    • 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)
  • 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 daily blog entries about camp life activities on the ASCTC blog
SERVE ON PRODUCTION TEAMS FOR MAINSTAGE CAMP SHOWS
As members of the production team for the mainstage shows, all RDAs will:
  • 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, each RDA 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 under the general direction of the Team Captains.
More info: After the mainstage shows are cast, RDAs will work with the administrative staff 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

Cymbeline
Julius Caesar

EMPLOYMENT DATES

Session 1: June 24 – July 17, 2023 (three weeks)
  • June 24: staff orientation
  • June 25: camper move-in
  • July 16: final performances
  • July 17: strike and camper move-out

COMPENSATION

$1,350 (Wellness & Social RDAs)
Housing and all meals provided for all staff members in both sessions
Apply by Wednesday, January 18, 2023.
Get hands-on experience working in the thick of the theatre scene with an ASC Theatre Camp Production Internship. ASCTC 2023 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”
  • Please note: while ASCTC production internships are open to all, priority will be given to members of the ASC Old Timers’ Society, the ASCTC alumni group.

PRODUCTION RESPONSIBILITIES

As members of the production teams for the ASCTC 2023 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 2023 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
  • 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

MAINSTAGE SHOWS

Cymbeline
Julius Caesar

CONTRACT DATES

June 24 – July 17, 2022 (three weeks)
  • June 24: staff orientation
  • June 25: camper move-in
  • July 16: final performances
  • July 17: strike and camper move-out

COMPENSATION

$300 stipend
All ASCTC Production Interns receive room & board for the duration of the internship and one full day off per week.

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