Camper Interviews: Day 3

Saturday afternoon. July 31. Elizabeth W. is seated in the library. She is a first time camper and has been cast as Trebonius, Ligarius, the Soothsayer, and a Plebeian, in the production of Julius Caesar.

What has been surprising for you during the rehearsal process?

I get to be on the balcony as the soothsayer. And we only use the balcony three times during the show; the ghost, soothsayer, and when Pindarus is at the top of the hill.

What did you learn?

Stage combat. I’ve done a couple of set fights with friends but this is at once simpler and more difficult than it seems.

What had been your favorite part of camp?

Everybody here is nice. My roommate has been here before and she’s awesome.

What camp what you expected?

Yes, better than expected.

Any favorite quotes or moments?

We’ve had a whole lot of fun with the line ‘cannot drink too much of Brutus blood’. I think we have finally managed to stop laughing. It’s just such a funny line.

Jay H. settles into a chair and in the library and leans back, the front chair legs leaving the floor. This is Jay’s third and final year at camp. He has been cast at Octavius Caesar in Antony and Cleopatra Part 2.

What was surprising for you during the rehearsal process?

This year it was different, Jeremy [West] is more businesslike than other directors I’ve had. When you are there, it’s time to work. It’s a different environment.

What did you learn?

It helps to get off book by the day they want you too. You should be aware of how big a challenge you want when you get here because if you ask for a big challenge they just might give you one.

What has been your favorite part of camp, or what are you looking forward to?

I am looking forward to the lake tomorrow. It’s been the most relaxing thing about camp. Also, I liked going to the Blackfriars, sitting in on rehearsal the other day; it was really interesting. When you see the shows, it looks so polished and it was nice to see that they have to go through the process just like we do.

Any favorite quotes or moments?

When Dan H. screamed “Enobarbus!” It’s a camp wide thing now. But I was there, it was in my cast. Also, the ‘bear with me’; it’s a joke from last year. At “What You Will” last year, someone said they were nervous and to bear with them. An audience member growled and someone else said, ‘I’m a bear!’ That’s how it all began.

Darielle Shandler