Hey, Campers!
Bringing life to John Dorian—better known as ‘J.D.’ from the medical sitcom ‘Scrubs’—who doesn’t love a little Zach Braff? I mean, how can you not love this guy? He’s a great actor, accomplished writer and director, he’s got good taste in music, and he can really make you laugh! It’s also known that Mr. Braff was a summer camper as well, once-upon-a-time when he was closer to your age.
Attending Stage Door Manor in New York, Zach isn’t the only celebrity to attend Stage Door Manor; hungry for the stage from a young age as well, Natalie Portman also went to summer camp at this unique place too.
What’s unique about Stage Door Manor? Well, it’s just like any other camp, aside from the heavy concentration on theater involvement and the performing arts that they offer in their camp program. It was a magnet for Zach. Since his early childhood, his life dream was to be a filmmaker.
Diagnosed at 10, he learned to cope with obsessive-compulsive disorder from a young age. But he didn’t let it hold him back at all. He did well in school and studied at the Northwestern University School of Communication.
Landing his first major role in ‘Scrubs’, Zach showed the world he had nowhere to go but up. He was nominated for three Golden Globes as well as an Emmy for his part on the show. Having directed a number of episodes and serving as an executive producer, he had really made a name for himself by the end of the show.
An incredible undertaking, he wrote, directed, produced, and starred in the movie ‘Garden State’ which he wrote in six months. He won a Grammy for his ‘mixtape’ Soundtrack Album for his movie.
Zach recalls about his time at camp, “It was there I met Michael Larsen, the musical director of the camp. He told me that I wasn’t just a camper having fun, but that I also had talent.” Words of encouragement like that can go a long way. What words will you hear about yourself during your camp stay?
Check out the awesome performing arts summer camp, Stage Door Manor, if a life on the stage interests you! And, as always, thanks for reading.
- John