Today’s date: Monday July 13, 2026
Show title: Antony & Cleopatra
Director: Mili Koncelik
Staff crew: Analise Toone, Topher Zane (RDAs), Julia Hill, John Spellman (Interns)
What we did
9-12: After getting campers into costume, those who have quick changes they need help with reviewed them with Mili and established who will be picking up those pieces (Varrius/Eros, Menas/Menecrates/Silius, Messenger/Mecenas, Candius/Guard/Diomedes, Philo/Octavia/Messenger, etc.) Then, we had fight (including 4.7 and 5.2), and intimacy calls (Antony/Cleopatra, Octavia and Octavius Caesar, Cleopatra/Charmian/Iras). Then immediately went into a run.
2-5: We started with finishing the run where we left off from this morning. Campers grabbed their scripts and notebooks to read through the text, going through notes from the run earlier (quicker entrances and exits, adjusting hairstyles (Agrippa, Enobarbus, Eros/Varrius), physicality (body language when reacting to Messenger being dragged back into the scene, keeping eyes up toward audience/the character they’re addressing, even when not saying a line, staying in character and reacting as such). After a break, we circled up for a line through (miming backstage actions – curtain pages and quick changes, bringing props/stools/chairs on and off). We were close to the end of the play before transitioning to music with Scarlet for the last bit of our afternoon block. We worked through the transition from the end of the show song into 1.1 (carrying off stools and music stands). After a second run of show song and 1.1 transition, we talked through logistics (exits, where instrument cases will be, etc.). Before wrapping for the day, Mili went over logistics for tonight and Wednesday.
DRESS REHEARSAL: A&C campers got into costumes first/pre-set their quick change pieces backstage. While 12N did their fight and intimacy calls on the main stage/transition to show song, A&C did their intimacy call downstairs in Tyson. A&C did their fight call on the mainstage (4.7, 2.5, 5.2, 4.15). We then moved into a brief A&C music call then into running the all camp song, leading into Lia’s and Mili’s speeches which lead into A&C (during Lia’s speech, A&C is getting into places/costume and 12N is getting out of costume and going into the house to watch the run). A&C campers got into costume first/pre-set their quick change piece backstage. While 12N did their fight and intimacy calls on the main stage/transition to show song, A&C did their intimacy call downstairs in Tyson. A&C did their fight call on main stage (4.7, 2.5, 5.2, 4.15). We then moved into a brief A&C music call then into running the all camp song, leading into Lia’s and Mili’s speeches which lead into A&C (during Lia’s speech, A&C is getting into places/changed into costume and 12N is getting out of costume and going into the house to watch the run). At the end of the run, A&C got out of costume/put props/swords safely and 12N got into costume and began their run. Afterwards, Lia gathered all campers and staff (one on one side and one on another). She then walked through how ASCOT inductions will go on the day (for those “graduating” from camp, then all were dismissed/do closing tasks.
Quick and Quotable
- From the play: “Fulvia thy wife is dead.” Third Messenger 1.2
- From the director: “Do not do yourself the disservice of not doing better. You have it in you to do better. I’ve seen it.” “Liam, my goat right there.” *Liam does goat sound* “That’s a Wednesday problem.”
- From the cast: “If you die in the play, you die in real life.” Chiara; “For a moment, I thought it was a crocodile.” Liam
Production Insights
Doing costumed runs is always so exciting (and can be emotional). Though it can also be super hard adjusting to finally doing the actions, movements, fight sequences, etc. in costumes, especially if it is the first time the cast is doing so. Therefore, the run is bound to have some rough patches but that is why post-run note sessions exist. What I have learned from past experience is that having a rough dress does not mean a bad actual performance. It simply means there are things in need of extra care and dedication that could make the performance the best ever. In other words, it means there are things that could advance the character you are playing.
