Shakespeare Camps - East Bay June 15, 2009

San Francisco Shakespeare Festival is now accepting registrations for Shakespeare Camps to be held in several East Bay locations.

Camps are appropriate for youth who are new to drama and more experienced young actors. Teaching artists are well-trained adults, many with college degrees in the theater arts and acting experience. Each camp maintains a ratio of 10 campers or less per teaching artist in order to allow for individual attention.

"Campers will experience three areas: Discovering Shakespeare, Voice and Movement, and Production and Design," says San Francisco Shakespeare Festival Education Director Rebecca J. Ennals. "They will learn about William Shakespeare's works and how to portray them, how to use the power of their voices and bodies to tell the story and express emotion, stage combat, and the basics of the technical side of theater -- costuming, props, and set design. Each session will culminate in a performance for friends and families."

The parent of a 2008 camper at one East Bay location said, "It was amazing how the teaching artists worked with a random sampling of kids and produced an actual performance in only two weeks, with each child fully participating and having a lot of fun. It was a rich, rewarding expereince."

The schedule for ages 7-13 is as follows:

Berkeley: June 15-26, Julia Morgan Young People's Performing Arts Center, 2640 College Ave.

Berkeley: July 20-31 AND August 3-14, John Hinkel Park, Southampton Place & Arlington Ave.

Fremont: August 3-14, Temple Beth Torah, 42000 Paseo Padre Blvd.

Piedmont: July 6-17 at Piedmont Community Church, 400 Highland Ave.

Pleasanton: July 20-31, Amador Theater, 1155 Santa Rita Rd.

San Ramon: August 3-14, Front Row Theater, 17011 Bollinger Canyon Rd.

Teen Shakepeare Camps (ages 12-18):

Berkeley: July 6-17, John Hinkel Park, Southampton Place & Arlington Ave.

Pleasanton: July 6-17, Foothill High School, 4375 Foothill Rd.

$420 per session; $135 aftercare per sessions.

Official Website: http://sfshakes.org/camp