Camp Shakespeare 2022 - Winedale-l

27 Mar 2022

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. 

Cheers,

Doc

Jim (Doc) Ayres
Professor Emeritus, The University of Texas
Founding Director, Shakespeare at Winedale and Camp Shakespeare
Director of Mission, Camp Shakespeare