Camp

Wanna-be teenage thesps flock to Camp Ovation-the summertime equivalent of the "Fame" school--where they can sing, dance and generally be nerdy to their heart's content. First-time director/writer Graff, who in real life was a counselor at a performing arts camp, assembles a cast of typical misfit kids drawn to the stage: budding transvestite Michael (de Jesus), tomboy Ellen (Chilcoat), and the good-looking, seemingly straight Vlad (Letterle), shepherded into adult theaterhood by the cynical, alcoholic musical-theater pro (Dixon). Story follows the ups and downs of these hopefuls, as well as other fringe characters but especially focuses on the sexual preference of Vlad. Despite uneven acting and stereotypical scenarios, flick is an indie with integrity and heart, while also boasting some rousing musical numbers.