Everything Is So Perfect
Thursday, July 3rd, 2025
RAINBOW THEATER circa 3:30pm—Two campers sing Rihanna’s “Umbrella” into the Theater’s large PA system, seemingly summoning a rare moment of cloud cover on this otherwise sunny afternoon. Tonight is the Tornado of Talent which means that us Performance Coordinators, aka “Perfcos”, are spending the afternoon screening acts. We screen the acts for appropriateness and duration, but also to help campers sharpen their routines.
“Stop the song please!” says Senior Perfco José Garcia. Head of Tech and Co-Perfco Momo Calfe-Smith pauses the track. “Do you enjoy singing? It doesn’t look like it! Let’s have some fun with it!”
José starts dancing while singing into an imaginary microphone to demonstrate. The pair of campers giggle at his display. The song is restarted, and they sing again, this time with more swaying and arm movement. As acts are screened, more campers arrive to sign up for the show.
“You give the Perfcos your name and act title and then wait for your name to get called,” explains Ella, 14, Rainbow Tipi. “I’m waiting with excitement to rehearse my act. I’m gonna sing ‘Home’ by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes. It’s okay if you mess up while performing here; this is the most welcoming audience you’ll ever find. This is a performing arts camp. Everybody understands the creative process.”
“If I get really famous with a band in my 20’s, I’ll run with that,” continues Ella. “My mom did that, so it’s not out of the question. Now she’s an aesthetician, but she still answers my singing questions.”
“I’m just performing a little song I wrote called ‘Polaroid Picture’,” says Sparrow, 11, Maroon Tipi. “Polaroid pictures are always the same, and everything is so perfect at Camp I want it to stay the same. I like Olivia Rodrigo and Sierra Ferrell. Their music is kind of slow and acoustic; I like that.”
A dance, a skit, another song, another skit—the acts keep coming, each one requiring different pieces of equipment, props and costumes. Momo is in a constant state of motion, moving mic stands, untangling wires, and adjusting the sound board. José alternates his attention between campers on stage and the growing line of sign-ups. As the third Perfco on duty, I help where I can, moving set pieces or finding missing performers who have drifted into some other free-time activity. The sun’s angle creeps lower and lower.
I leave on a mission to print lyrics for another pair of singers. On my way I pass a group of stilters and their spotters returning from a kitchen walk. When I return to the Theater, I find a group of teenage boys backstage clustered around a drum kit.
“I’m not in an act, but a bunch of my friends are,” says Desmond, 14, Ultraviolet Tipi. “I’ll support them by clapping, I guess. I did my first aerials class today, but I don’t think I’m strong enough. I’ve mainly been focusing on improv.”
“I know everyone in my tipi from previous years,” continues Desmond. “I’m looking forward to seeing Oliver’s drum act. I definitely want to learn to play drums one day.”
Glancing over to the stage I notice a camper riding a unicycle while solving a Rubik’s Cube while also reciting the Gettysburg Address.
RAINBOW THEATER circa 8:30pm—Six hours since sign-ups began and the Tornado of Talent is already underway. The aroma of bug spray is strong in the Theater. On stage three campers pass clubs in a feeding pattern while a sultry EDM tune grinds away on the speakers. The next act appears to be some sort of skit making fun of lice checks, gravy and Elon Musk. To conclude the skit, all the performers turn to the audience and yell, “Live from Laytonville, it’s Thursday night!!!” Next up the “Umbrella” duo has returned, this time with an actual umbrella which they dramatically open during the first chorus.
Three acts down, thirty-five to go.
Stay hydrated,
—J. Payseno, Editor
