The first summer session of Camp Shakespeare which began on

June 5 will conclude with public performances of Shakespeare’s

early farcical comedy, The Taming of the Shrew at the

Sanford Schmid amphitheater on the La Grange fairgrounds on

Friday, June 17, at 7:30 p.m., and at the Winedale Historical

Center’s Theater Barn on Saturday, June 18, at 1:00 p.m. 

Admission for the performances is $5.00.  Youth under 12 are

free. Reservations for the Winedale performance are

encouraged.  Please e-mail jayres@cvctx for information and

reservations.


Participating are campers from Dallas, Houston, Mineola,  

Gonzales, Austin, and Brenham. La Grange is represented by

Bea Burton, daughter of Lori-Learned Burton and George

Burton. The campers were selected for the two two-week

residential experience from a field of 83 applicants from around

Texas and beyond.



Since arriving, they have not only been confronting the

challenges offered by the demands of the play and the

daily routines of physical and vocal exercise, music and singing,

cabin-cleaning, improvisations, journal-writing, textual and

character analysis, and scene work, but also the ever-present

Texas heat. Hourly Gatorade is an essential part of the routine.


Camp Shakespeare director, Jim (Doc) Ayres, reports that he 
 
and his staff are very pleased with the progress. “We have great

kids in the program, a great staff, and a great play,“ he said. 



The second session begins on June 26 with students from

various Texas cities as well as Brooklyn, Hong Kong, New

Orleans, Pennsylvania, Washington D.C., and Ontario. Victoria

Borgstedte, daughter of Drs Allyson and Thomas Borgstedte,

will represent La Grange.  These campers will explore

Shakespeare’s The Winter’s Tale.


 The site of Camp Shakespeare is Briarfiled B & B, near Round

Top. Ayres will expand the program to three sessions next year

to accommodate the increasing interest in Camp Shakespeare.