There is nothing like what these campers come up with in drama. Period.
We’re 16 drama periods into the August session and having a fantastic time. Similar to July, most drama periods include fully-staged performances of the campers’ original short plays. These plays include sets, props and costumes and often look like performances that have been in the works for weeks. While the campers can write the plays about anything (appropriate) they want, murder mysteries, fairy tales, parodies and comedies are always popular. The campers rehearse, learn the meaning of “places for top of show!”, listen backstage for their cues and remind each other to cheat out and project their lines. It’s incredible to see what they can bring to the stage in less than an hour; there is no TV show that could possibly make me laugh as much as these camper productions.
Cayuga has been particularly into scene improvisation lately. One favorite activity involves two campers going up on stage, the audience choosing characters for them and them in turn improvising a scene as those characters. While “character-based improvisation” sounds boring and academic, the campers come up with the most hilarious scenes and often get seriously into their performances.
While Random Acts of Drama performances typically take place during the later end of the session, M2 kicked off the first performance of the RAD series this week with an updated version of “the Bacon.” This was an original song/skit performed for Campstock last year. After adding more dance, rhymes and skit material, M2 performed it for their peers and staff all around camp.
There has also been new games added to the list of improv games for the end of each period; campers have suggested games like ‘Interpreter’ and ‘What are you doing?’, which have been a lot of fun to play.
There is nothing like what these campers come up with in drama. I hope someday I can grow up to be half as creative as these kids.
Katarina Andersson
Drama Head Specialist
