Discussing the film, "Theater Camp," and the local theater camp scene

By Evan Dawson,

Published August 22, 2023 at 3:58 PM EDT

(foreground) Brynn Tyszka and Lisa Shearer, and (background) Reenah Golden and Dresden Engle on "Connections" — (foreground) Brynn Tyszka and Lisa Shearer, and (background) Reenah Golden and Dresden Engle on "Connections with Evan Dawson" on Tuesday, August 22, 2023.

A smiling man with short dark hair wearing a blue button-down shirt and a grey blazer. He is holding a pair of eyeglasses. The word "Connections" appears on the left side of the photo in vertical letters.

Self-proclaimed “theater nerds” are applauding the film, “Theater Camp.” Set at a fictional drama institute in the Adirondacks, the mockumentary follows campers and staff chasing dreams of stardom. The New York Times calls the film “bitterly funny,” but as our guests share, there’s truth to the range of emotions the characters experience as they attend the camp.

This hour, we discuss the film and we explore the state of the local theater camps scene – from recruitment, programming, and more. Our guests:

Reenah Golden, founder of the Avenue Blackbox Theatre
Lisa Shearer, director of production operations for A Magical Journey through Stages
Brynn Tyszka, artistic director for Blackfriars Theatre
Danielle Raymo, theater nerd and local performer
Dresden Engle, local performer and stage mother