A queer murder mystery set in a camp’s woodlands? No, this isn’t your favorite streamer’s new hit show; it’s San Francisco State University’s School of Theatre & Dance’s 2025 fall show, “Camp S.L.A.Y.,” which will be performed on Dec. 3 and 5. More unique than the plot, this will be the school’s first show entirely written and directed by students in eight years.
Intentionally original in its conception and execution, “Camp S.L.A.Y.” represents a confidence the school has in itself and its students. Many prior end-of-semester productions brought in experts and stage veterans to help craft the show, but this student-led extravaganza is a sort of declaration of faith in the passion and productivity of these stage-bound Gators.
Lesly Gabriela Ramirez, the show’s co-director, has taken the opportunity to flex her dramaturgical muscles and to learn from her peers and mentors.
“It’s really fun to see something I haven’t seen before come from students and this is a big step for them moving forward into technical theater,” Ramirez said. “Sound, I’m very impressed with Martin [Sinlao’s] design and the lighting, just collaborating with them. I have been listening to all of their ideas that they have and it’s just been really fun.”
Seemingly inspired by the quirks and intricacies of its creators’ generation, “Camp S.L.A.Y.” is clearly a loud rebuke of stodgy stage shows that some may associate with the medium and instead embraces bold swings one would expect from ambitious Gen Z theater fans who have followed that love to university.
Michael Schweikardt, an assistant professor, is happy to spotlight the students’ talents while recognizing how this sort of production method is also a necessity in the wake of recent budget cuts.
“Students have taken all the leadership roles in terms of costume and set design [and] lighting, prop and sound design, as well as all of the publicity and marketing responsibilities. It’s like the students have formed their own little theater company,” Schweikardt said. “Production has never been extracurricular in the department. It’s always been: students have registered for a class so that they get units for being involved in production. But as an elective, it was in danger of being cut. Fundamentally, we believe that every student in the department should make theater before they leave with their degree. So it’s good all around for everybody.”
This blend of practicality with creative ambition exemplifies the work ethics and imaginative boundlessness that arts programs at SFSU encourage. Elijah Su, a member and the choreographer for the show, is proud of everybody’s work on this singular show.
“It’s very rewarding. Everything that is happening in this show has come from the class,” Su said. “Our dramaturge is in the class, our scene set director is in the class, all the actors are from the class. Everything came out of the class. We built the set ourselves, we painted the floor ourselves, we put together the costumes ourselves. Of course, with help from the professors.”
Most students are taking on roles, onstage and behind the scenes, for the first time or at least for the first time in this substantial manner. Sarah Brown, the show’s stage manager, is taking on the role at SFSU for the first time and appreciates being in like company for it.
“It’s really cool seeing all the actors grow from the very beginning, seeing them start out until now. Since I’m not in the show, I get to see all the aspects coming together,” Brown said. “It’s really cool seeing my classmates try different roles that they’ve never done before and excel. For example, the set designer, I don’t think he’s ever set designed before, and he created a beautiful painted floor, and these flats that are also painted beautifully. It’s really cool to see people find creative things that they didn’t know that they had before.”
As for the story behind “Camp S.L.A.Y.,” the mysteries of the camp are best left for you to find out for yourself. “Camp S.L.A.Y.” will perform at 3 p.m. on Dec. 3 and 5 at the Little Theatre in the Creative Arts Building.
