Welcome to peg

All ASC Theatre Campers live in the PEG Center, a residence hall that was built specifically for MBU’s Program for the Exceptionally Gifted in 2003. This $6.7 million state-of-the-art center is bright, spacious, and ideally situated between Grafton Library and Pearce Science Center, just steps from classrooms, computer and language labs, and Hunt Dining Hall. Designed to meet students’ academic and social needs, the building features a study room, lounge, laundry, and small kitchen on each of its three residence floors. Student rooms are arranged in clusters, each supervised by a live-in residence staff member. Fully wired for Internet, phone, and cable services, the center provides a comfortable home away from home for MBU students during the school year — and for ASC Theatre Campers during the summer.

Check out the video below to take a virtual tour of the PEG Center.

Sample* Camper & Parent Orientation Schedule

Session 1: Sunday, June 14 | Session 2: Sunday, July 12

10:00 am – 2:00 pm — Camper Move-In

• Move your stuff in, meet your roommates and other camp compatriots, and get ready to have fun!

2:00 pm  — Orientation for Everyone

• Campers and Parents meet the staff, go over camp policies and important dates, take a tour of campus locations, and open it up for a general Q&A

3:00 pm  — Farewell, Parents!

• Say your good-byes!

3:30 pm — Orientation for CAMP PARTICIPANTS ONLY

• Rules, games, questions, secret sonnets

5:30 pm — Dinner

• Because you have to eat

7:30 pm — Tour of the Blackfriars Playhouse

• The only one in the world

9:30 pm — Pre-audition Workshop

• Campers and RDAs prep for Monday’s auditions in small groups back at the PEG dorm

10:30 pm — HALLS

• All campers must be on their assigned residence hall, preparing for bed

11:00 pm — LIGHTS OUT

• Get plenty of sleep! Auditions are in the morning.

*This schedule subject to change

Final Performance Festival

You’re invited.

Parents and siblings, families and friends: you finally get the chance to see the fruits of our labor when you see your camper strut and fret an hour upon the Blackfriars Playhouse Stage. Three weeks of hard work, big choices, admirable failures, and surprising successes culminate in the performances and celebrations of the Final Festival at each session’s end.

2020 Session 1 Performance Festival: July 5, 2020

2020 Session 2 Performance Festival: August 2, 2020

The Play’s (not) the (only) Thing

The Final Performance Festival is more than just the sum of its shows. Celebrate your camper’s achievements (and see just what they’ve been up to) on a weekend getaway to Staunton, complete with a special “Camp Command” performance by the ASC resident troupe.

About the final weekend schedule

The big day

Campers perform their shows for their adoring public (including friends and family) in the Blackfriars Playhouse on Sunday morning. After the performances, campers and parents reunite at the Celebration Reception, held the Wharf — home to Mary Baldwin University’s Shakespeare & Performance graduate program.

See what we’ve been seeing

After food and remarks, everyone returns to the Playhouse for the 5PM “Camp Command” performance, dedicated to the ASC Theatre Camp. Campers join their parents in the audience for the performance.

Book your tickets

All camp families receive two free tickets to the Camp Command performance, with the option to purchase additional tickets for any performance during the final weekend of the session at a discounted rate. To reserve your tickets, contact the Box Office.

One more night

Sunday night, parents are free to explore the Staunton downtown nightlife while their campers return to the dorm for their final night of camaraderie: cleaning, packing, sobbing, and sonnets.

Where to Stay?

Staunton offers many accommodation options for parents looking to explore the town. We highly recommend that parents book their rooms for the final weekend of camp at the time they register.

• • Hotel 24 South — located right next door to the Blackfriars Playhouse, Hotel 24 South is the perfect home base for camp families during festival weekend. Mention the ASC when booking to claim their discounted rate of $109/night
  • AirBnB
  • Blackburn Inn
  • Tru Hotel by Hilton
  • The Frederick House is a charming bed and breakfast located across the street from Mary Baldwin University.
  • Howard Johnson

The next morning

Parents and campers reunite in the morning on Monday for a final breakfast-in-PEG and farewell before departing Staunton.

Sample* Festival Schedule

Sunday – show day

9:30 am – Doors open at the Blackfriars Playhouse

• Admission is open to the public.
• Tickets are free, but require RSVP.

10:00 am – Playhouse opens for seating

10:30 am — Play #1

12:00 pm – Break (15 minutes)

• The bar will be open upstairs with snacks and drinks.
• Feel free to step outside and stretch your legs.
• Don’t go too far! The next show will begin promptly regardless of your attendance.

12:15 pm – Play #2

1:45 pm – ASCOTS induction and group photos

Graduation ceremony for campers joining the ASC Old Timers’ Society. Photo session on the Playhouse stage: group photos of each cast and an all-camp photo.

• Parents are welcome to stay and take pictures as well; if you decide to do so, please stand behind the official photographer and do not use your flash.

2:00 pm – Celebration Reception

• Complimentary to friends and family (RSVP required). Join your camper in celebration of a successful session

Monday – departure day

9:00 am – 12 pm Check out of PEG

Don’t forget to say goodbye (and re-up for next summer) before hitting the road.

‘Til next summer! We’ll miss you.

*This schedule subject to change.

*This calendar is subject to change.