Day 2

July 19. Monday morning brought a three hour, yet laid back, audition. After lunch, the campers impatiently sat in a circle, in King, hoping this event will go quickly because they knew that the cast lists will go up very soon. Again, Doreen and the camp’s head counselor, grabbed the campers’ attention. Doreen knew of the mounting tension. Luckily, she had something that could take the campers’ minds off the directors in the next room. She allowed the head counselor to explain to the new campers and to remind the old ones of one of the camp’s oldest traditions, "What You Will", YCTC’s talent show. The two explained that this event is a chance for the campers to show off any special talents they have for the rest of the camp. It will be a big night, with the audience composed of alums of the camp, directors, teachers, and grad students.

Doreen and the head counselor wanted to get the kids’ minds flowing about things that they could do. Once they started, it didn’t take long for the students to speak up and start collaborating. Doreen asked the students to think of a role, Shakespeare or otherwise, that would be their dream role to play. One student, called out Puck from one of Shakespeare’s most beloved plays, A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Some students nodded in agreement, while others called out that Yes! Puck is a favorite character of theirs as well. The head counselor jumped in and told the camper that she expects to see something from Puck on "What You Will" night.

Soon the students are all listing their favorite characters. Shows of all kinds were mentioned. One camper said Gypsy, then the next said Shakespeare’s Titus Andronicus, and still the next said Next to Normal. With each show mentioned, more students joined in the conversation, or cheered for shows that they also love. At a lull, one girl spoke up and asked “Does anyone like Sweeny Todd?” The room almost exploded in agreement chattering about the bloody meat pie filled play. As students described their different ideas to their fellow campers, Doreen sometimes jumped in to add her own ideas and tried to match up campers who could work together. A couple of girls started to plan to do Chicago’s big number, “Cell Block Tango”. As they came to the end of the circle, it seemed the impending cast lists had nearly been forgotten. Nevertheless, when Doreen asked the group how they felt about the auditions, one of the girls showed how her nerves were making her hands shake.

Darielle Shandler