Trust, Confidence & Accountability

I am overwhelmed with how amazing our StarQuest campers are! Their sense of teamwork and loving-kindness towards themselves and one another has really shown through this week. One of the many self-affirming teachable moments we infuse into our StarQuest camp is a daily group affirmation which is randomly chosen by one camper but shared with the entire camp. We start our day off with this tradition along with our award of the day to build the confidence of our inner dialogue and to help us see the light in ourselves and others. This coupled with our overall camp culture is creating our StarQuest magic! The trust they are building in themselves and each other has boosted everyone’s confidence to try new things, make new friends, take creative risks, and has given them the freedom to have fun!

One of our camp motto’s this summer is “What Makes You Different Is What Makes You Beautiful!” This is something we instill in our stars while showing them that their sparkle shines inside and outside. At camp, we try and give our campers the space desired to figure things out on their own, while gaining assurance within their choices through positive feedback from all our camp counselors and specialists. We also keep each other accountable to our words and actions because we are learning how powerful we really are! Through all of this… we are strengthening our ability to work as an ensemble through reinforcing our trust and confidence in ourselves and each other. We also talk a lot about kindness and that kindness is an action we choose to take towards others and how important it also is to be kind to ourselves.

Here’s the Inside Scoop

The second week of camp is a complete “growth” week! As our campers get acquainted with their “The SpongeBob Musical” roles, they are getting into the groove and expanding their skill sets within the morning classes.

Our special activities of the week emphasized the beauty of working together, kindness, and sharpening our knowledge of theater, acting music, and dance.

Voice

  • This week was Pitch Week! 
  • We learned about the Music staff, Clefs, and Note Names. The coolest part is we used music and fun games to learn this week’s music theory lessons. We sang along with catchy, music-clef worded versions of “I Knew You Were ‘Treble’” and “It’s All About The Bass.”
  • We learned a new song this week entitled, “Live Out Loud” from the musical A Little Princess! And, we kept fine-tuning “Count on Me” by Bruno Mars. 
  • Ask your camper about Treble Clef and Bass Clef music bingo! So fun! 

Acting

  • “Yes, and…” is the first rule of improv. In order for a scene to develop and evolve, actors have to say “yes” to their scene partner’s ideas AND add their own idea to it. Collaboration is the name of the game.
  • Listen to one another: is the second rule of improv. If there are two or three people onstage doing improv, but they are all acting in their own “play,” the audience is confused and there really is no play at all. Listening to one another allows actors to create a cohesive experience for their audience.
  • Acting is PHYSICAL and VOCAL –  as actors, our instrument includes our voice and body. When appropriate, it is important to use them both to be as specific as possible so the audience can make choices about your character and understand them better.

Dance

  • We had an awesome dance technique day where we learned how to do a para bourree (back, side, front), chainee turn (3-step turn), chasse (to chase), and grande battlement (big kicks)
  • We learned the original Broadway choreography to “Nobody” from Bandstand. We also learned about Bob Fosse and his wonderful hips and jazz hands!
  • For our camp-wide dance video, we rehearsed the second chorus to “Don’t Be So Hard on Yourself” by Jess Glynne. It is going to be so cool!  We continued filming.  So fun! 
  • We discussed how the steps in dance don’t matter as much as our intention and connection with the music. We as performers create a story that is inspired by the lyrics and/or music of a song and then our job is to embody the story with our movements.

Rehearsals

We are moving and grooving in rehearsal. We are making so much progress this week. We’ve blocked almost the entire show, learned different vocal harmonies in the show’s big numbers with Ms. Kristin, and memorized choreography with Ms. Skylar!. The magic in the show is already evident. Well done!

Workshop of the Week: Acting with Broadway Star Jeremy Landon Hays and Agent Lunch with Core Talent

Both were a huge hit! Our campers had so much fun and learned so much. These workshops were a real treat. It was so awesome to have the opportunity for our campers to learn from someone as talented and experienced as Jeremy Hays and Teresa Natera from Core Talent.

Acting workshop with Jeremy Hays. Some highlights learned…

  • It is impossible to be anyone other than yourself— acting is not about becoming another person; it is about embodying them with your voice and body.
  • The audience decides who your character is. As humans, we are always making judgments about people and things whether we know it or not. Your job as an actor isn’t to get the audience to understand you, it’s to get them to decide.
  • Dare to look silly! If you fully commit, you will not look silly. Only trying halfway is what makes you look silly. Jeremy says that we create our own safe spaces for ourselves.

Agent Lunch Workshop with Teresa Natera from Core Talent. Some highlights …

  • We got an inside peak at the process behind getting an agent. What the agent does for an actor and what is expected of the actor in return.
  • We learned about creating an acting resume and looked at several headshot samples.
  • We finished our workshop with an excellent Q&A session!

Costume Fittings are on Monday Morning!

This is our only time for fittings. Please do not be absent and please remember to bring the costume items I sent out earlier in the week. Please check your inbox for an email with the subject line: StarQuest Costume Time – SpongeBob.

Conversation Starter

Ask your camper how their Musical Bingo went. Ask about our affirmation cards. Ask them about trying new things in dance, and how it made them feel. Ask them how dress-up-as-your-favorite-character day was. Ask them about Sunshine Lane. And, you can’t forget to ask them if they enjoyed this week’s talent show!

Big Announcements, Dates & More

The SpongeBob Musical, Youth Edition | Wednesday, June 28 at 6 pm – Zale Auditorium

Every child will be given 2 complimentary tickets for their family and friends. We want the house to be packed for our campers. Tickets are on sale now! Tell your friends to come and support Camp StarQuest! Your complimentary tickets will be waiting for you at Will Call on the day of the performance. Click here to purchase tickets!

** Please remember how critical it is for your children to be here for all rehearsals. Since our time is limited to get this show up on its feet, strive for being present for all of it. At every rehearsal, campers will be learning new numbers.

Tech Week

Tech rehearsals begin next Friday. Below is the schedule.

Tech Schedule

  • Friday, June 23 (afternoon mics, lights, projections)
  • Monday, June 26 (all day)
  • Tuesday, June 27 (all day)
  • Wednesday, June 28th (all day) – final performance at 6:00 pm

As mentioned previously, these are mandatory rehearsals for the entire cast and will take place during camp hours with the exception of Wednesday, June 28, performance day. On Wednesday, June 28, campers will NOT be picked up at the end of the day. They will stay at the JCC until after the performance and go home with you after the show which will end at around 8 pm. We will provide them with dinner that evening too.

Your children are shining brightly each and every day! Camp “magic” is happening. Can’t wait for the adventure of Week 3!

This is How We Do It at Camp StarQuest

To see more pictures of our campers and continue to get updates please download the J camp app from the app store, become a friend of our JPAS Facebook page and follow us on Instagram.

Can’t wait to see what happens next week at StarQuest!

Shine Bright,

Alise Robinson
Director Camp StarQuest