Long Lake’s Audition Process
Our non-competitive philosophy is felt more during our audition process than at any other time during camp. Every camper at Long Lake who wishes to join the cast of a musical, play, dance production, rock band, circus shows, bands and more are in. We make sure to offer enough production’s to accommodate all our campers. We produce 5 musicals, 4 dramas, many music groups, rock bands, circus show and dance performances every 3 week session to cast our campers in.
How we ensure everyone is seen and heard
We start by asking every camper which type of shows they you like to be cast in. A camper can tell us they would only like to be in a musical versus a drama or vice versa or they do not mind either would be great. We keep a track of that choice throughout the process via our Production Coordinator and each campers Unit Leader. Unlike some arts camps we do not believe the auditions should be held either before camp or the day the campers arrive. We prefer to let the campers settle in the first day so they are more relaxed and ready to audition if they wish. Long Lake’s auditions begin the day after campers arrive. We start with a whole camp orientation where we let the campers know about all the different departments and activities we offer. We then split into the individual program areas for more details, keeping the campers together with the bunk they live with to strengthen the bunk friendships as soon as possible. In theater we go over all the shows we are producing and have a really fun mock audition with our tech staff hamming it up a lot. This really relaxes the campers and gets them excited for the process.
For theater auditions the campers can choose to act, sing and dance or if they prefer a drama only, act only. Each campers who wishes to audition is given a short piece to act, a section of a song to learn, then later in the day at the dance orientation, some movements to learn. The audition pieces are kept secret until the day of orientation so nobody has any advantage over any other camper. We have staff available to help the campers work on the parts they wish to share with the theater directors.
For campers wishing to sing we let them practice individually first, then we have groups of about 8 around a piano learning the song together with one of our music directors.
when it is time to audition 1 bunk at a time will enter the stage and sit towards the back. Then in turn the campers walk forward and say if they wish to sing and act or just act. After this the camper wait for the others then move onto the next department orientation.
That night, all the directors, music directors, choreographers, production coordinator and head of performing arts meet to discuss the days auditions. They create a “Call Back” schedule for the following day so directors can meet with campers either individually or in a group to get to know everyone better. It could be a camper is being considered for multiple roles in different shows. We are the only camp we know that takes 2 days to cast each and every camper. We wish to make sure every camper has had the same chance as everyone else during the audition process.
The following morning we post the casting lists before breakfast. The first rehearsals begin after breakfast.
