I never understood the concept of camping. I never could see the “joy” in leaving a wonderful, comfortable decorated home with all of the goodies and toys you have collected over a lifetime – – to take essentially a very expensive trashbag with metal rods out into the woods – – through a road that has yet to see concrete – – to a place that real estate developers have found unfit to develop – – only to unpack clean food, clean bedding and clean clothing for what is likely to be dirty and infested in only a few moments rest in the parking lot/field/mud pit/swamp of what is now a weekend home.
Negative – a bit – I get it. So why in the world am I giving up two precious rehearsals just this side of long spring break to schlep actors two hours away to spend “camping”? My thinking, perhaps clouded at the time, thought that since Shadow Box is set in the woods of California, we need to make a trip to the woods. I was having trouble explaining and “planting” the actors into the sights, smells, and sounds of the woods. Even I was having trouble imagining it. We needed to get to the environment. There was a reason that the playwright chose to set this specifically in a rather remote wood. As a group, we needed to figure out why!
This adventure will also be a great place to deepen the ensemble of the play. We will be spending some 50+ hours with each other and will get quite familiar to each other. Somehow, public showering and outhouses do wonder to break down personal barriers. I imagine sitting around a fire at night talking about the play and perhaps going through the lines allowing a whole new truth of the play to emerge. Sunrises and sunsets play such an integral part of this play. Now we are not going to watch the sun go up and down – we are actually going to be guests to the two events.
Sometimes you have to be there to be there. All SEEMS like it will add life and detail to the play. All SEEMS like we will be more of a group and more connected to the story and each other. ALL SEEMS like a good idea.
But I will be sleeping in the dirt in an expensive “trashbag” dreaming of clean sheets and cable TV. Wish me luck.
7 comments on “I Hate Camping”
I had to laugh out loud at the Little Camp of Horrors picture, because that’s about how camping is! We were forced into camping in tents with the family at a young age, whereas the summer camps I went to by myself provided actual dorms to sleep in and weren’t so bad! I remember going to Grand Tetons National Park with the family and finding the outhouses so disgusting that I “held it” for three days!!
But … your reason for wanting to take the acting troupe is valid. If city kids can’t imagine the scenery, the sights, and the smells of a remote, heavily forested area, then they need a temporary transplant. It will open their senses on a level you’re never going to get in a black box theater.
I predict that your trip is going to be wildly successful — and I do mean wild!
🙂
This is test comment.
I’ve read in interviews that when an actor takes on a specific role (especially if they’re playing the part of a real-life character), they do whatever they can do identify with that individual. If this person is still alive, they’ll spend time with them and get to the heart of their story, their mannerisms, etc. If not, they’ll study up on them as much as possible.
The fact that you went outside of your comfort zone and embarked on this adventure says a lot about your dedication to your work.
I’ve heard the analogy that “you can describe what a strawberry is to someone – but unless they eat one, they’ll never understand the experience” – and it’s true.
You’ve all immersed yourselves in the environment you’re about to re-enact. What better way than to have first-hand experience. Makes it more believable because instead of portraying a concept, you’re bringing an experience to life.
I’m sure this did a lot to bring all of you together as well. These relationships created through such an experience lasts forever. It’s unlike the disconnected way of interacting with one another that constitutes as normal – so while I’m with you on the sleeping in the dirt thing, something tells me that’ll take a back seat to the magic of the experience itself.
When it comes to camping my first thing as always safety. When I think about camping I think about late at night, I think about insects, I think about wild animals. I agree camping does sound a bit NOT Fun. Why would you leave your comfortable environment to sleep outside? The only people I know that sleep outside is the people who don’t choose to sleep outside. And that’s homeless people. I can never agree to sleeping outside just voluntarily. So I’m with you, I don’t get camping, and I probably never get we camping. But I do enjoy hiking in the wilderness, but after the hike it is over we’ll headed back to our luxury of a hotel. lol
Have you ever been to the Grand Canyon? If not maybe you should think about traveling to the Grand Canyon with your students. The Grand Canyon is a great place for hiking and camping. But the camping is little bit different. You don’t actually sleep outside, you sleep in a log cabin that overlook the Grand Canyon. So Cool!! They have nice restaurants, nice trails and really GOOD food. So I would definitely recommend you checking out the Grand Canyon in Arizona. If you have never been there, this will be a great experience for you and your students.
Sometimes, getting outside of your normal element can help clear the mind and make sure that you have a pin sharp focus on things that you are not usually comfortable with. I think it is a great learning experience, even if you learn that you do not like it.
I don’t get camping either. Never have. Why would you leave a clean house and a nice, comfy bed for a pest-infested miserable experience feeling the earth gouge your back all night (since the darn air mattresses never stay full).
But I can get the idea of doing it as a group for the “experience.” I’m sure those boys liked it. And it gets them out of the house and out from under the thumbs of their parents.
I can understand it, even think it’s noble, but darn it…
If any club I’m ever in decides it’s mandatory to go on a yearly camping trip, I guess I’m looking for another club.
Hope you had fun and got the experience you went there for! 🙂