StageDoorManor

College Majors Musical Theater Majors
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<p>A couple thoughts…</p>

<p>One is that whatever your friend’s experience was…was HERS…with regard to her personality, social interactions and even a different camp. Do not go by what her experience was for HER, let alone at a different place. It is no reflection of what it might be like for you. </p>

<p>Second…SDM does not have “bunks” like regular camps. You do have a room of five girls (approx) but while it is nice to be friends with them, you don’t do things as a “bunk” like you would at regular camp (I went to camp for ten years so I know that experience well). Rather, you have YOUR classes and YOUR shows which all might be very different from what THEY have all day and evening. This is similar to how roommates are in college who do not have the same schedules. So, you will likely bond with your cast (most casts at SDM do) and then make some friends in classes and then hopefully also make friends with your room. But just like in college freshman year, when you are new to camp, you are not PICKING your roommates, and so what your goal is is to get along. IF you ALSO become friends, great but don’t necessarily expect that. In subsequent years, you pick your roommates and then you are picking who you feel close to, which is sort of different. My niece was new to camp and while she liked most who were in her room, she became good friends with many who were NOT from her room, which is the likely thing to happen…where you PICK your friends. </p>

<p>Also, while I don’t know you at all, I can say that from my observations, kids at SDM bond a LOT…everyone seems to make friends and most appear happy there. I can’t guarantee that will be your experience but it seems the common thing. Kids have a built in common interest in theater and enjoy finding others who share this passion. </p>

<p>Your room will LIKELY be all new girls in the same boat. Again, can’t guarantee that but they make an effort to do that. In any case, third session has MANY new kids and then the returning ones are NOT old timers but usually kids who have only gone a couple years. There are more chances in casting and just a great experience all the way around, particularly as a newbie. Remember, many girls and boys will be in the same situation as you. I don’t know how you do in new situations but when my kids went to various summer programs, they did not know anyone and it was not a problem as friends were made quickly. Remember that you also have to make the effort to reach out to the others and not wait for them to do so with you. </p>

<p>SDM does not come across to me as a place for cliques and mean girl stuff. My D has never spoken of that in her time there. I suppose there are all kinds of kids everywhere but this is not like school. It is a place of much bonding and hugging. Can’t explain it until you see for yourself. Ask kids on the SDM camper messsage board about this and see what they say. Everyone was new at one time. And the friendships form quickly at camp. My niece who was new this summer did not want to leave when her session was up. She likely will not see any of the kids all year since she lives in Alaska. She can’t wait to return.</p>

<p>The part I can’t advise you on as much is that I don’t know anything about your social life at home and if these are issues you deal with often or not. So, without actually knowing anything about YOU, everything else I said were thoughts about the experience itself. </p>

<p>I realize you might feel apprehensive since it is a new experience but just go openly and reach out and get into everything and enjoy yourself. It really is not like a regular camp. Get into your classes, meet your cast, try to get along with your roomies, seek out girls you really like, don’t wait for others to come to you…meet boys…some might become very close friends too. My D has many very close bonds with boys from SDM. And there is staff there to get to know and learn from or to help you. Something made you sign up for SDM and whatever that was, just go and enjoy it. It is only three weeks. It really IS fun. </p>

<p>Susan</p>

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<p>DefGrav-everyone here has posted advice so I won’t repeat it. It is all good and true and you should try to understand what each is telling you. The only thing I can add is to be OPEN. If you go into the experience with any negativity, you will not have as great a time as you should. If you go to camp with the thought you you are going to have an amazing time, with kids who love theater like you, that you will be singing, dancing, acting and having fun all day…then you will have a great time. My S went 2 years ago only knowing one other girl from school. He made friends, boys and girls. In fact, his 3 other roommates were from vastly different places-Tennessee, Chicago, and Florida. They still communicate through email. This time he didn’t know who would be returning and he says he has made new friends-from his classes and show. So, the moral is, don’t worry, don’t think about your friend’s experience because it may not be yours and just go in with a positive attitude. I KNOW you will have a great time!</p>

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<p>Thank you for the advice. I guess the moral is go in with confedence and a good attitude and you will have a great time. This is kind of a weird question but my friend has said all the guys at stagedoor are gay? I love gay people I think they are some of the nicest people. I was jsut wondering becuase I ehard something like 70% of the guys are gay at SD. Thats kinda like people say oh all guys who figure skate are gay or all guys who do gymnastics are gay(which is not true alot of them are married). I think its unfair to boys becuase if they dotn go off and play baseball there labeled gay. If a girl were to go and play baseball(not in the major leagues or anything) noone would say anything.</p>

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<p>I have no idea what percentage of males at SDM are gay. But in the theater world, there are numerous gay males, so a higher percentage than in the general population. However, there are both gay and straight guys at camp. Girls and boys are even going out with one another at camp. My D has gone out with boys at camp. She has numerous very close relationships with boys at camp…some of these boys are straight and some are gay. There are some of each. There are simply a higher percentage of gay boys than in another population of teens such as a high school. My D is very close to her gay friends. Her group of friends from camp include girls and guys. Some of the guys are straight, some are gay. One thing for many of the gay boys is that this is one place where they can be open about their homosexuality and be accepted. Many directors and choreographers and music directors at camp and in the theater world are also gay, just not ALL. </p>

<p>Susan</p>

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<p>Thats cool. Sometimes gay guys are nicer than striaght guys.</p>

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<p>Defying…my D. says there are a number of very attractive and talented boys at SDM. Though some may be gay there are many who are not. She says there are a lot of cuties there! I think she said …hot guys…but as her parent I will say cuties instead.
As far as a sense of belonging goes in my D’s case she attends the high school for the performing arts…there are around 2000 kids that go to her high school and of those around 50? or so are selected from the school and across the county to be in the performing arts section of the school . This includes theater, music and art…not sure of exact number in it. In addition, when the school has a play hundreds of kids try out (all the county kids are allowed to do so cus it is the performing arts school)…so in her case she is already surrounded by kids with a common interest and feels at home there…(as I said before here its the theater kids who are cool…and sports takes 2cd place) We are lucky in that respect because so many understand each others strong interest in this arena.
Our community is very cultural with tons of shows,plays etc…going on all the time…so that is great for her as far as lots of kids with common interests. (Though she cant wait to move to NY or CA)
When she went to SDM she knew no one…and she was greeted by two roommates who knew each other very well…but they instantly made her feel welcome. I met them and thought…what lovely young ladies…soon I found out one was Brownsugars D! Then I got to talking privately to another CC mom and discover that her D. and mine have bonded and are great friends also!
I think the camp is set up to make friends. Go in with the right attitude and you will have a wonderful time.</p>

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<p>Yes im quite confedent I will. Just the doubts some times. Can I ask where you live?Tell her I don’t like NYC we can trade.</p>

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<p>Hi Defying, I sent you a Private Message… Also did you hear the news about cell phones?
I was thinking about my post…I am not sure how many kids are in the performing arts program at the school. It used to be just music. We heard about it when D. was a toddler and she was constantly singing and a teenager listening to her told me about the program. So it was really exciting when she applied and was accepted because we had thought about it for so many years. They have since expanded to include art and theater. Kids tryout during the summer and if selected they go to the program for 1/2 a day during the school year. The rest of the day they take regular classes.</p>

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<p>Angst, I asked my D your question about which shows/roles Mandy Moore did when she went to Stagedoor. She went two summers. My D says that one summer she was in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat as a brother…one of the brothers who solos, I think the one who sings Those Canaan Days. Don’t know about the other summer.</p>

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<p>Just talked to D. …She said she saw your D. Susan in the Playhouse after the alumni show, not in the dorms like I thought. She saw OTC and PE this week. She said the PE was wonderful and the kids were very passionate in their acting.
Defying, dont forget to let us know what show you are in!</p>

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<p>I changed my audition song. I went back to my original choice. I wasnt able to find The Wild Party cd anywere and I jsut like okay.</p>

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<p>Why do you need the CD? For your audition they will have a piano player.
You may want to take a karaoke CD if you elect to tryout for the campers showcase.</p>

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<p>Defying Gravity, you do not need a CD for auditions. In fact, you can’t use one. You must have the SHEET music for your song. Select the section (sixteen bars) that you wish to sing and mark the start and end and anything else that you want the pianist to know (tempo, etc.). There will be an accompaniest for the auditions. There is also one practice session for you to go over your song with a pianist who might make suggestions and so forth too. By the way, The Wild Party vocal score is available for purchase. Luckily you live in NYC which makes it handy to pick up and not have to order online like us country folk!</p>

<p>For Camper Showcase, you do NOT need a karaoke CD. If you wish to sing, there are pianists who can accompany you. You could ask a staff person or one of the many kids who can play piano. My D accompanied someone, for example, this year who performed a song in Camper Showcase. You need to have the sheet music. Often if you do not have sheet music for a song, the office just might as they have quite a lot. For now, however, you should try to bring yours for audition purposes. You have to audition to get into Camper Showcase. You can sing, dance, play an instrument, do a scene or monologue, any talent. </p>

<p>You might want to practice your show audition song with a family member to get feedback. If you have a voice teacher, that is another option.</p>

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<p>I don’t have a voice teacher but I will practice my song for the accompinist. I guess I worded that song. I can’t find the cd to practice with it now before I leave for camp and I just have a gut feeling it won’t work. The whole song in general I mean.</p>

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<p>Soozie,
I have viewed some pictures from Jekyll and Hyde. What was your daughter wearing in the show?</p>

<p>Konnie also said on the SDM message board that they will be making a dvd of the gala and another dvd of all the photos they showed and you can order it online, but the program and dvd will be avalible at the third session store.Also that pictures from the gala and first session should be up by this weekend.</p>

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<p>DG:
I agree with CollegeMom that it is best not to link to pictures of children on here unless someone has given permission to do so. If another mother posted some pics she took of her son’s show that my D was in on another website, great, but let’s keep those where they are for the community for which she intended. </p>

<p>My kids own digital cameras but we do not (amazing how the kids have everything! but the parents don’t…other parents on here can relate). Anyway, when my husband got our pics from Jekyll and Hyde and Our Time Cabaret and Crucible (niece was in the latter) developed, the store offered to put them on a CD digitally. If I can figure out how to send some and you email me, I could share those with you privately. As Lucy, my daughter had two costumes. One was a longish skirt with a black strapless bustier top and a green brocade coat with a big shawl collar. Her other outfit was red sequined leotard style strapless with a defined “bra” top with black fringe around the bust with a short wispy skirt and long sash/tail…not the same as the other girls at the Red Rat who had sequined tops that went up to the neck but had cut in shoulders, no black fringe. Hope that helps. </p>

<p>I’m aware of what Konnie has posted and I already have a DVD of the 30th retrospective montage media presentation. The DVD of the actual “show” that day will be available, yes. </p>

<p>If you wish to send me an email and if I can figure out how to send a few pics from those shows, I can try. But the camp will eventually posts some pics from the first session shows though I have no clue if those will have my daughter in them. </p>

<p>Susan</p>

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<p>I’m sorry I did not realize this. I was a bit out there today as they jsut had to put this dog I lvoe that lives across the street to sleep and he was only 6. Anyway yes the picture thing would be cool but only if you want. The boy playing Jekyll is very cute lol.</p>

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<p>I think D. would have liked to have had a karoke CD to sing a pop song. But of course she could have sung something else and found a pianist…probably did not occur to her. (Or maybe she was thinking of one of the musical theater karaokes we have - not sure) I think it would be nice if they mentioned it in the camper guidebook…but then maybe too many would tryout.</p>

<p>As she wraps up her week…she told me she has had a great time and best of all she feels even more confident about her abilities. She has made some great chums and enjoyed most of the experience! Can’t wait to see her show!</p>

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<p>Aww im glad Angst. A question. Your D. is going to be a junior right but shes 15?How did they group her in the dorms. Kids who were 15 but going into 10th grade or kids who were 16 going into 11th grade?</p>

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<p>I am not sure of all the ages in there. She was in the room that adjoined another. I will just say she felt very appropriately placed and was/is super happy with her roomies! (Yes she is 15 and going to be a junior).</p>