GETTING TO STAUNTON
Address: 201 E. Frederick Street, Staunton, VA 24401
BY CAR
From the North: Take Interstate 81 South to Exit 222. At the end of the exit ramp, turn right onto Richmond Avenue (Rt. 250 West). After approximately 2 miles, merge right onto Greenville Avenue/Rt. 11 North. Continue straight through the intersection under the railway bridge onto South Coalter Street. Go straight through the first traffic light at the top of the hill. Take the next left turn onto East Frederick Street (no traffic light). Turn right into the first parking lot in front of the PEG Center dormitory.
From the West and South: Take Interstate 81 North to Exit 222. Merge right from the exit ramp onto Richmond Avenue (Rt. 250 West).
From the East: Take Interstate 64 West to Exit 87. Stay in the right lane to merge onto I-81. Take Exit 222. Merge right from the exit ramp onto Richmond Avenue (Rt. 250 West).
BY AIR
Staunton is conveniently located near two regional airports, the Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport (SHD) and Charlottesville International Airport (CHO). We’re also just a few hours by car from Dulles International. Campers and their families may easily connect to these airports and use a rental car service or take an Uber or Lyft to get to Staunton.
BY TRAIN
Amtrak has a station in downtown Staunton as well as in nearby Charlottesville. If your camper is traveling by train, we can arrange to pick them up at the Staunton Amtrak station, free of charge.
Travel Assistance
We are not able to provide travel assistance to campers arriving at nearby airports or train stations, but campers who need to arrive a day early or depart a day late may be able to stay overnight in the dorm. Extra fees apply, please contact the Camp Director to make arrangements.
Accommodation
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
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.