Summer camp at CAST is a blast

To whomever it is that is currently reading this, I formally wish upon thou a most pleasant day. I am Smee, first mate of the Jolly Roger, the most swashbuckling of pirate ships, and lieutenant to one Captain James Hook. I am also a 13-year-old boy from London, England, who spent his summer in Fallbrook visiting his grandparents.

Said grandparents, in cahoots with my mother, conspired to put me and my younger brother into a summer camp at CAST Academy, which you'll know has spent the summer performing Peter Pan.

We immediately felt we had been marked as shark bait and made to walk the plank when we were carted off to the first day of auditions, and initially planned to mutiny. Now that all the shows are over, both my brother and I miss it desperately.

We have made many friends as well as memories, and learned many new skills as well as some songs that never seem to leave our heads. You couldn't stop us from coming back next summer for an encore if you tried!

If you know someone who you think would have fun being on stage next summer between the ages of 7-18, take a trip to Fallbrook and CAST Theatre and sign them up for next summer's performances of Fiddler on the Roof. Take two weeks out of your summer schedule for some enthusiastic awesomeness.

Word of warning though: This is what you get when you do drama over summer break: I can still hear "Bloody Buccaneers" when my mind wanders. Oh – and bring a song for the audition.

Fair winds, until my next shore leave,

Smee/Rafferty Grant