Greetings to all! I have some very good news for you! First of all…..
you will be pleased to know that, after a two-summer pause, Camp
Shakespeare will return to the countryside in June 2022 to resume our
exploration of play through performance. After several weeks of interviewing,
we have selected two groups of very fine campers to take on As You Like It (Session 1: June 12-26)) and Macbeth (Session 2: (July
3-17). Times and venues for public performances are on the Camp Shakespeare
site. Please make plans now to visit and celebrate with us.
But there is even more uplifting news: Robin Grace is NOW a
University of Texas staff member, officially carrying the responsibility of
developing and directing Camp Shakespeare. Her appointment as Director
brings Camp Shakespeare officially and firmly into the Shakespeare at Winedale
fold. Robin is finally being rewarded for the brilliant work she has been
doing for over a decade. She has her own office in Calhoun Hall, has settled
in, and hard at work!
The documentary film, "Take Pains, Be Perfect,” produced by
Dr. Celeste Sheppard and directed by Kristi Frazier, enjoyed its premier at the
Santa Fe Film Festival on February 5. The film was well-attended and
well-received and I enjoyed the interview and Q & A afterward. JoAnn
and my daughter Emily attended and were overwhelmed by the big screen
presentation.
A few days later, we learned that the Dallas Film Festival has
selected the film for showing in April! And last week, we were notified
that PBS stations around the US are currently showing the film and that it will
be on Austin PBS on April 8 at 9:00 pm.
This summer we will be using several facilities for our daily
work: the Theater Barn at Winedale (of course), Windy Knoll (a beautiful new
event center near Round Top), and The Historic Casino Hall stage (in La
Grange). We are adding a new public performance venue this year: The La
Grange ISD Performing Arts Center. So you can visit us at the Crystal Theater
in Gonzales, the PAC in La Grange, and at Winedale!
So many good things are happening!
Now to make all possible, we will have to develop funding for it.
Every budget item we have has this year increased significantly. We
have increased the Camp fee and are cutting a small number of items out but
will need to raise $40,000 to make this summer possible. Robin and I
would very much appreciate your assistance with this project.