Saturday, May 25, 2013

By Ben Williams
Published: July 16, 2009

It's dinnertime at Camp Jabberwocky. Two campers who usually travel by wheelchair, walk in to the dining hall assisted by their counselors. Their fellow campers celebrate the entrance with an enthusiastic ovation and cries of joyful support.

At their 2007 production, the cast showed its typical enthusiasm. File Photo by Mary Baker

Campers take turns addressing the dining hall with stories and accomplishment from their day; some campers perform songs. Each one is met with warm applause and hearty approval.

Before the meal is served, the campers join voices to sing "One (Singular Sensation)," a song from the Jabberwocky production of "A Chorus Line," which is being performed this Friday and Saturday at the Jabberwocky Studio.

"People come into the play with certain expectations," said Faith Carter, who has been a camper for 35 years. "We surprise them, and once they're surprised, they really enjoy it. This year we're all auditioning to become members of Jabberwocky's "A Chorus Line."

Ms. Carter's sentiment is echoed by Nancy Connelly, who forms her sentences by pointing to words and letters that are laid out on a board. Sometimes she quickly pinpoints words; at other times she deftly targets strings of individual letters to spell words out. "I like plays because you can be anyone," communicates Ms. Connely. "When I tell people at home that I dance onstage, they look at me funny. Most people put me in a box of what I should be. The play lets me show what I can really do. If people give us a chance we can surprise them."

Camp Jabberwocky provides an inclusive and supportive environment for children and adults who have cerebral palsy and other disabilities. Helen Lamb started the camp 56 years ago in a summer cottage in Oak Bluffs. It has grown to be an integral part of the Island's summer community. Each year, Camp Jabberwocky puts on a play that packs their studio to capacity.

"Everyone loves the play, but it's a lot of work and requires a lot of patience," counselor Kristen "Sully" St. Amour says. "Some campers produce their own scenes. We make it a team effort to put the play together. Campers help make costumes and props. Both nights it's completely open to the public."

Even with the challenges, campers also look forward to the play. "The play allows us to be more creative than we're allowed to be in everyday society," said Ms. Carter. "Here, there are no boxes. If you try your best, people appreciate it. Camp plays are a good outlet. There's room for a lot of different types of expression. The hope is that it opens up a new level of appreciation for individuality. If everyone was the same, it would be boring."

"We're anything but boring," adds Nancy Jesseau.

"The play is hardcore," says Camp Director Johanna "JoJo" Romero de Slavy. "There are lines, choreography, and costumes. We work on the script and scenes in classes. Campers put in input. We put on a real production for the audience. The counselors work their tails off every single day."

The counselors she mentions are volunteers, working for four weeks without pay. "I love the play. When I was 12, I saw Jabberwocky's production of 'Grease,' and it transformed what I thought of theater," said Mindy Adams, in her sixth year as a counselor. "Everyone just put their heart and soul out on the stage and was having so much fun. I knew I wanted to be part of it. We spend time with each individual finding out what makes them who they are and how we can bring that out on stage. The campers help each other out."

Over the weeks of camp each counselor works closely with assigned campers. "The play is a great culmination of camp," counselor Mark Reppert says. "A lot of these campers wait their whole year to come to this camp. The imperfections are what make the play awesome. Everyone giving their best with full enthusiasm. It inspires you to take the play more seriously because it's one of the major memories we bring with us at the end of the summer. It's exciting to see the campers up there. Having worked with them for the last four weeks, you know the things that are hard for them individually as a person."

Bethie Ainsworth will be playing Helen Lamb, who is traditionally included as a character in the play. Helen Lamb, affectionately referred to as "Hellcat," will be attending the play herself. At 94 years of age, she still has a handshake like a vice grip. "I remember the very first year," she says. "I would lie awake in bed and think, 'This could be a great place.' I think it is a great place. A group will come and tell me that they have been asked to get together a camp like Jabberwocky. They say they have no money. I tell them they don't need money. We all devote ourselves, and none of us get paid. They say they can't do that. Well, then it's not Jabberwocky. No money. Just devotion."

"A Chorus Line," Friday, July 17, at 7 pm at Camp Jabberwocky, Greenwood Ave. Ext., Vineyard Haven. Also July 18. Free admission.

Ben Williams lives in West Tisbury and is a regular contributor to The Times.