Young actors hone stage
skills at Catskills camp
Megan Vaccaro
MANALAPAN — A tranquil place in New York state’s Catskill Mountains is the setting for Stagedoor Manor, where campers from ages 8-19 gather together to hone their acting skills and enjoy a summer of opportunity, accomplishment, lasting friendships and fun.
This summer, three sisters from Manalapan were among the aspiring actors who made their way to upstate New York to participate in the camp. Patricia Vaccaro, 17, was joined at the camp by her sisters, Megan, 10, and Shana, 15.
The camp facilities include 22 classrooms, rehearsal spaces, theaters, dance studios and television studios that provide a variety of experiences in acting, dance, film, voice and modeling. The campers are able to learn from many skilled dancers, actors, film directors and voice instructors who provide workshops for the campers.
Stagedoor Manor allows participants to choose the classes that best fit their level, whether they are just beginners or advanced performers. There are 36 different classes offered, and each camper is allowed to take eight per session, covering all aspects of the profession — audition technique, improvisation, choreography, play writing, managing the stage, ballet and more.
Shana Vaccaro
Each day is composed of two rehearsals that each last about 21/2 hours, the campers’ choice of classes and recreational activities.
Stagedoor Manor is proud of its campers’ accomplishments in staging Broadway musicals such as Annie, Pippin, Once Upon a Mattress, Little Shop of Horrors, Grease and West Side Story. Some of their dramatic shows include A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Anne of Green Gables, Dracula and The Crucible.
Former participants at Stagedoor Manor include actress Natalie Portman from Star Wars, singer Mandy Moore and film director Shawn Levy. A significant event for Stagedoor Manor took place in New York City on July 25 as the film Camp, produced by Todd Graff, opened. Graff is a former camper at Stagedoor Manor.
This year’s sessions began June 23 and ended on Aug. 24 and were divided into three, three-week components. The performance of 12 shows takes place during each of the three weeks in the seven outdoor and indoor theaters.
Patricia Vaccaro
In literature provided by the camp, its directors promise to "feature everyone and give each person a special moment on stage."
Patricia Vaccaro has attended Stage-door Manor for four years, after discovering it on the Internet. With a deep interest in acting since middle school, she is now in an honor society for theater at Manal-apan High School.
Every year, she said, she "comes back a different person" as she is taught independence and is exposed to different cultures through the variety of staff members and roommates. Although she is not definite regarding the possibility of an acting career, she said that if she decided that’s what she wants to do, "the camp has taught [me] the correct way to go about it. Stagedoor Manor is the most incredible experience, providing an intense theater environment where you learn exactly what you need to know."