Behind-the-Scenes: The Umbrella Stage Company's 42ND STREET @OrpheumVideo

Uploaded September 2019 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago

Coming to Concord, Massachusetts
TheUmbrellaStage.org

Behind-the-Scenes: The Umbrella Stage Companys 42ND STREET

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$Arts for the MASSes : The Story School: Where Heroes Are Made Through Live-Action Roleplay The Story School & Camp Fable: Where Heroes Are Made Through Live-Action Roleplay In a world dominated by screens and technology, theres a magical place in Charlton, Massachusetts where kids get to unplug, step through magical book gates, and transform into heroes. Camp Fable, run by The Story School, is revolutionizing the summer camp experience by blending traditional camp activities with live-action roleplay (LARP) to create an immersive world of adventure. ## What Makes Camp Fable Different? As revealed in a recent interview on Arts for the Masses with host Ryan Malyar and Chris Wiley, Executive Director of The Story School, Camp Fable isnt your typical summer camp. Self-described as an EDAR camp (Education through Adventure and Roleplay), it creates a fantastical setting where kids ages 8-17 become heroes tasked with protecting the Library of Alexandria – a magical place where every book ever written comes to life. If you ever picked up a stick in the woods and pretended it was a sword, you know what LARP is, explains Wiley. We just take that and try to take it to the next level by really letting these kids immerse themselves in the story. ## Building Characters, Building Character What truly sets Camp Fable apart is its focus on developing not just fictional characters, but also real character traits. Campers learn the three tenets of being a hero: - **Courage**: Not the absence of fear, but confronting the unknown and taking a step forward - **Valor**: Developing a consistent sense of honor and character - **Empathy**: Learning to understand and appreciate different mindsets LARP camp builds characters – the kids make characters, but theyre also building up who they are inside, says Wiley, highlighting how the camp experience translates to real-world growth. ## A Day in the Life at Camp Fable When campers arrive for their two-week adventure, they create their own hero character and choose their path in this magical world: 1. They select a Chapter House (fighter, mage, healer, alchemist, or rogue) 2. They join an Order (Fox, Kraken, Swan, or Bee) based on their play style 3. They embark on quests, solve puzzles, and battle monsters (with foam swords!) Whats remarkable is how educational elements are seamlessly woven into the fantasy. Alchemists learn real chemistry, healers learn first aid, mages study electricity, and rogues discover the science of camouflage and light refraction. Its education by choice, education by curiosity, as Wiley puts it. ## Creating Confidence Through Fantasy One of the most powerful aspects of Camp Fable is how it builds confidence. Wiley shared a touching story about an 8-year-old camper who was initially hesitant to engage. After discovering she could become a ghost walker when defeated in the game, she ventured alone into the villains lair, listened to his entire evil plan, and returned to her fellow heroes with crucial intelligence. You will not believe the smile on this girls face, Wiley recalled. Suddenly she had the power. She was the most important character. Parents consistently report newfound confidence in their children after camp. As Wiley explains with a laugh, We have parents telling us all the time, Where did she learn this confidence? Well, she defeated Skeletor at camp! ## More Than Just Play Beyond the fun, Camp Fable addresses fundamental human needs: autonomy (freedom of choice), progress (leveling up skills), and belonging (finding community). The structured fantasy world gives kids a safe space to discover themselves and their capabilities. The world will often tell you you cant do that or theyll give you that vague youre special but not tell you how, Wiley observes. Our camp lets you live in this fantasy world so that everything is an option. ## Experience the Magic For parents looking to give their children a unique summer experience that combines unplugged fun with character development, Camp Fable offers something truly special. To see the camp in action, visit their YouTube channel at @thestoryschoolcamp or check out their website at [thestoryschool.org](https://thestoryschool.org) for more details about registration. In a world where imaginative play often takes a backseat to technology, Camp Fable reminds us of the transformative power of stories, community, and adventure. As Chris Wiley put it so beautifully: Every kid at camp gets this hero moment where they feel centered, they feel like theyre the most important character there... I want every kid to feel like they are capable of so much – because they are.$

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