Backstage Passes
Monday, July 29th, 2024
BACKSTAGE circa 9:00pm—Stars can now be seen in most of the sky, or what is visible through the canopy. Isolated pockets of artificial lights cast eerie up-lit shadows on the surrounding oaks. The circular arrangement of Camp’s fifteen tipi structures is mostly dark and deserted as campers and staff enjoy evening program at the adjacent Rainbow Theater.
“Green Tipi to the stage,” announces Camper Advocate Lexi Takaki over the PA. Walk-on music resounds through the campus as the campers of Green Tipi scurry from the audience to the backstage of the outdoor venue. As they await with their counselors to make a grand entrance the music fades the crowd quiets to whispers, allowing the chorus of crickets to temporarily surge to the forefront. In a moment they have slipped through the curtains to perform their tipi skit, an exercise in rudimentary stagecraft meant to give everyone the chance to introduce themselves to all of Camp.
A fire is coaxed to life at the central fire pit by two counselors assisted by a reclining commentator.
“They have this saying about starting a fire in Alaska—any way you can!” quips Juggling Instructor, Memo Gosnell from his seat by the young fire. “Campus orientation went good this evening. I was at my post at the Juggling Cart. For each group I ended with my joke, ‘Why did the camper cross the road? To get to the Aerials Site!’ Get it? Because that’s the next stop on the orientation tour.”
All of Camp’s tipis are named after different colors. Though counselors may create punny name modifications session by session, the main color names stay consistent in terms of record keeping and logistics. This session we took an unprecedented step in deciding to resurrect “Turquoise”, a by-gone tipi name, and use it in lieu of “Sky Blue”. I ask Memo what he thinks of the title change.
“There was a nice ring to ‘T-Q-Sky-Blue’, but I support the change,’ he says.”
“I forgot there was ever a TQ,” admits Art Instructor Lastarla Barker, adjusting the geometry of the fire logs. “I guess having Blue and Sky Blue was kind of redundant. I was at the Art Grove for orientation tour. There were a lot of campers excited to paint this session, and even one finger-knitter!”
“It feels good to be back,” says Diabolo Instructor Brian Bell, depositing an armful of logs near the fire pit for later use. “I’m still recovering from the loss of Sunset Tipi; it was my first. I guess the return of TQ is funny. I like the idea of a rotating tipi name.”
As the show wears on, various counselors and campers begin to visit the bathrooms opposite the Tipi Circle from the Theater, causing them to pass by my fireside perch.
“The Flame Tipi one was pretty funny,” says Teen Staff Addison of the tipi skits. “Sha’him kept on saying ‘That’s fire’ and then the whole crowd would call back ‘No, that’s Flame!'”
“There seems to be lots of excitement for stilts,” says Stilts Instructor Nova Platt. “I was in TQ when I was 12 so I’m glad it’s back. I can’t believe the summer is almost over. I’m excited to get back to my real shower and my real bed, but I’m gonna miss these kids like heck.”
“I think Tipi Skit Night is a really important opportunity for kids to start the process of being brainwashed into our Winnarainbow order,” says Songwriting Instructor Natalie Garms. “Having Sky Blue in that part of the circle didn’t even make sense. What goes in between blue and green? Turquoise! It’s so simple.”
“Ever since Turquoise came back, this whole place has been turned on its head,” says James, 11, of the Ultraviolet Tipi. “I don’t even recognize the Tipi Circle anymore. It looks bigger since the last time I was here. Honestly, Sky Blue was a good one, probably my favorite after Lime, but Turquoise is pretty good too. I just wish they had replaced a worse color like Green.”
“Our tipi skit went pretty good,” continues James. “We did a skit where instead of being the U.V. Tipi, we were the U-Haul Tipi, and we all were carrying boxes. The skit matches our tipi sign, but I don’t think the counselors painted it. I think it just came like that.”
As we discuss Ultraviolet’s clever if not a little lazy tipi sign, Lexi invokes Wavy Gravy’s signature line of nighttime dismissal, “Brush ’em if you got ’em!” launching 150-odd flashlight-wielding maniacs into the night. Not intent on being blinded or trampled I take my speedy leave.
Stay hydrated,
—J. Payseno, Editor
