Greetings to all!
As we begin a new year (where did January go?) , I’m writing
to bring you up to date on Camp Shakespeare. As many of you know, Robin and I learned in June—just before
we began the 2018 sessions—that we would be losing our campsite at Briarfield,
our home for the last 7 years. One
of the owners is very ill and they’ve decided to sell the property.
So in August, with brilliant performances of The Comedy of Errors and A Midsummer Night’s Dream behind us, we
began a search for a new site. And
found one almost immediately! It
is called “Rancho Pillow.” Google
it when you have time. It is a
very comfortable, creative, environment.
My first thought was that it would also be a great place for the 50th
reunion! It even has an
air-conditioned tepee with a king-sized bed!
Anyway, that’s just the beginning
of new things for Camp Shakespeare in 2019. Here are some more:
we will be exploring The Merchant
of Venice in Session 1 and Hamlet
in Session 2 and having FOUR performances of each play rather than our usual
three.. And to our usual venues at
Winedale, Henkel Hall in Round Top and the Crystal Theater in Gonzales, we are
adding The Scottish Rite Theater in Austin (thanks to Susan Todd), for matinee
performances.
And we have added one day to each session, giving us the
advantage of an evening performance at Winedale for the first time! We have also set a much earlier
deadline for applications: March 1 rather than April 1. And, because our operating costs are
about to rise with the new setting and escalating food costs, we have raised
the Camp Fee from $1,000 to $1,500.
So a lot of new things. And we are pleased to note that we have already received
some 35 applications for next summer and with each one, we get more excited.
And we are learning that many applicants will require
financial assistance.
To make our budget we will need funding from the private
sector, so please consider sending a gift. Your support in the past has made possible not only scholarship
monies for financially disadvantaged kids but our van rental and other
operating costs. This year I
project our need at $18,000.
Robin and I treasure your contribution because you are a
special part of the Shakespeare at Winedale program. Thanks for considering a gift to Camp Shakespeare.
As usual, you may send a check to Camp Shakespeare at PO Box
202, Round
Top Texas 78954. Please make it “to” The University of Texas
and mark it “for” Camp Shakespeare.
Cheers,
Doc and Robin Grace
Jim (Doc) Ayres
Professor Emeritus, The University of Texas
Founding Director, Shakespeare at Winedale and Camp Shakespeare
Director of Mission, Camp Shakespeare