Illustrations by Ballibay art counselor Allison Rich

Sample Camper Schedule

SONIA: THE ROCKER WHO LOVES TECH - THURSDAY

Sonia is a hard-core bass player and singer. They also love video and technical theater!

Morning, 9:00-12:00:
Their first band rehearses 10:15-11:00, so they practice for 45 minutes after breakfast and send a quick email home, then head over to the rock tent where their band is rehearsing. Their morning band is playing a heavy metal cover tune, but the band’s original song is more of psychedelic rock. It's a really cool group of musicians, and a great staff coach. At 11:00 Sonia has been called for a video lesson, where they are going to learn how to be a Technical Director, operating the 8-camera HD video switcher for an upcoming show. There are a lot of buttons, but Jared the video instructor is patient, and Sonia gets the hang of it quickly.

Everyone goes back to the cabins at Noon. After lunch the whole camp takes a Rest Period, and meets for a one-minute performance somewhere on campus at 2:35.

Afternoon, 3:00-5:00:
Sonia is operating a follow-spot for the show tonight, so they need to attend the “full tech” dress rehearsal of the show this afternoon to practice their role. Sonia has never run follow spot before, so 3:00-3:30 Katie from the technical theater staff works with them to get them comfortable with the spot, and goes over all of the cues for the show. At 3:30 the rehearsal starts. Sonia is nervous, but Katie is there with them and -- as they receive the cues on their headset – they get the spot in the right location every time! By 4:30 the rehearsal is over and Sonia just needs a half-hour to chill. It was so intense! At 5:00 they and Katie, and a few members of the cast, who have just changed out of costume, walk over to the “5:00 Special.” Today it is “Impro,” improvisational comedy by campers and staff developed in a class that was offered over the last week. Super funny!

Free time, 6:30-7:00:
Very few activities are scheduled during this half-hour. It’s usually a nice time to take a walk, play some tennis or participate in the sports activity on the sports field, or just hang out with friends; but since Sonia is working the show tonight they meet with Katie to get a few notes from the afternoon’s rehearsal. They are a little nervous!

Evening Activities, 7:00-8:00:
Sonia’s second band rehearses. This band chose a David Bowie song to cover, and is writing a newwave style song inspired by Flock of Seagulls. Sonia had never heard of Flock of Seagulls before, but they totally dig them! One of their band-mates says it’s his favorite band. Sonia leaves rehearsal a few minutes early so that they can be on-time for their 8:00 call as follow-spot operator. They’ve been wearing a black t-shirt and black jeans since Rest Period since they knew they’d not be back to the cabins from 2:30 until late, and they know crew needs to wear black for the show.

Evening Program, 8:40:
The house lights go down, the pre-show music fades (Tania, who is in Sonia’s cabin, is running sound, and Joshua, their band-mate, is on the light board) and the show begins. The Stage Manager, Lois, a Counselor in Training, is calling all the cues. The performers come onstage, and Sonia’s first cue is called. They train the spotlight on the singer (that’s Marcie; she’s a first-year camper, just like Sonia) and follows her, illuminating her perfectly. The rest of the show comes off without a hitch, and Sonia is so happy and relieved! They can't wait to be Technical Director!

SEE MORE CAMPER SCHEDULES:

Jack: THE EXPLORER
Sara: THE ACTRESS
Clara: THE DANCER
Kai: THE DJ who plays TROMBONE
Daniel: THE ARTIST who loves HORSES