Deadline for youth camp is Tuesday

The roster for this year’s upcoming Shakespeare Summer Camp is filling up, but — good news — there still are some spots left.

All students going into grades 7-12 are welcome at no charge. But scurry. The registration deadline is Tuesday.

Students or their parents can sign up through ArtPlace Mississippi, which joins the Greenwood Shakespeare Project and Greenwood Little Theatre in sponsoring camp. Apply at https://www.artplacems.com/shakespeare-project. Paper applications are available at ArtPlace, 205 W. Washington St., 455-2864. The arts education program for youth receives financial support from the Mississippi Arts Commission.

The camp will take place throughout July and end August 2-4 with “scenefest” performances at Greenwood Little Theatre’s W.M. Whittington Jr. Playhouse. Director Steve Iwanski said presenting a number of scenes from Shakespeare’s plays offers plenty of opportunities for campers to participate not only in acting but in designing and making costumes and sets.

Plus, there’s extensive exposure to the work of the Bard known as William Shakespeare. “If one child is in it for four years, you can say that he or she has played in all 38 plays of Shakespeare,” Iwanksi said.

“One key difference this year is that we’re requiring all applicants to audition before being cast in the show,” he said. This is not only to learn more about the students’ talents but also their interests and expectations. Auditions are being scheduled for 5 pm. May 22-24 in the parish hall of the Episcopal Church of the Nativity on Howard Street and will be led by Iwanski and Greenwood Little Theatre actors and directors.

Then, campers will gather from 1-5 p.m. Monday-Friday for five weeks that will culminate with the performances. The schedule is:

•Week 1: Theater, Movement and Performance; July 2-6 at the Episcopal Church of the Nativity youth room and parish hall; leaders Steve Iwanski and Greenwood Little Theatre actors/directors.

•Week 2: Shakespearean Performance; July 9-13 at the Episcopal Church of the Nativity youth room and parish hall; leaders Steve Iwanski and Greenwood Little Theatre actors/directors.

•Week 3: Set Design and Construction; July 16-20 at Greenwood Little Theatre, Sycamore Street; leader Richard Elliott, Design Build Solutions.

•Week 4: Scenery, Costume and Prop Design; July 23-27 at ArtPlace, then later at Greenwood Little Theatre; leaders Yolande van Heerden and Will Perkins, ArtPlace.

• Week 5: Dress Rehearsals; July 29 - Aug. 1 at Greenwood Little Theatre.

• Shakespeare Scenefest, 7 p.m. August 2-4 at Greenwood Little Theatre