Just as another week has come and gone, so has another beautiful and fun production in the Starlight Playhouse. For many of the Juniors, this performance was their first on the Starlight stage—and it was awesome! From the sing banners on the walls and ceiling, to the 50 year legend and Starlight staple Jeff Moss himself, the Playhouse is a place of tradition and family. Adding to the tradition experienced by generations of Starlighters, the Juniors left their first footprint of many to come in the Rec Hall during last night’s production.
Just a few short hours before curtain call, Seniors received their parts for the upcoming senior show. Watching from the long awaited bleacher seats, the Seniors were revelling in the bittersweet approach of their final appearance on the Starlight stage as they watched the Juniors in their first. The oldest Starlighters and Youngest wrapped their arms around each other singing Friends and the Alma Mater. As the Juniors had a beautiful and first time view of the camp joining together as one from onstage, camp had an even better view of the newest generation of Starlighters beginning their career onstage at the Playhouse, as well as their love for all the tradition and family that lives inside.
One of the most exciting elements of Camp Starlight are the weekly stage productions among the different divisions, with the giant spotlights, intricate stage designs and lively singing and dancing, the theater produces a lot of entertainment. As the Theatre Specialist, I know my job is the best on campus because I get to go behind the scenes of all of this fun. I truly get to see what makes the show and how it gets better from start to finish. I see the best of the best. The director Jess Moss is a legend in itself and working besides him day in and day out makes my job the best. The ability to work with every single camper is so much fun too because often enough the campers that have never been a part of a stage production or in a theatre are the ones that get the lead role in the show. The looks on their faces when they find out the cast list is so great, whether it is shock or excitement. Each week I see so much growth in the campers becoming more confident with their roles or abilities on the stage. One of my favorite parts of the theatre is after the show ends and the campers will say “Yes! We did it!” They give me a hug of pride, joy and relief all at once and in that moment those campers feel like they are my own kids and I am so proud of them. Those moments, combined with all the amazing elements that go into producing a show every week, is what makes my job on campus truly the best.
