One is never too young to understand Shakespeare is the unofficial motto of the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival.
Workshops are performed in conjunction with the Nevada Shakespeare Company and InterACT during the school year to Nevada and Northern California children.
Youngsters and adults, can enjoy 14 free, hourlong D.G. Menchetti Young Shakespeare Program performances of “Much Ado About Nothing” from July 21 to August 7. The venues vary from Sand Harbor State Park, near Incline Village, South Shore's Grand Lawn of Valhalla and the “Salty” Gebhardt Amphitheatre in Truckee in addition to sites around the Carson Valley and Reno. Although tickets are free, parking at certain venues might have a nominal fee. All shows require advance registration via the festival's Web site.
Trimming down the 16th-century comedy based on returning war veterans, jealousy and the partial manipulation of love into material for young people is the job of director Michelle Calhoun-Fitts.
While some plot points have been shortened and some modern references added, the Bard's language will not been dummied down, according to Calhoun-Fitts.
There will be more interaction between the actors and the audience such as cheering on the heroic young lovers Claudio and Hero while booing the odious Don John. A guitar-strumming Benedick, intent on wooing a warring Beatrice will sing contemporary tunes while Dogberry's humor will become broader and more physical.
Appealing to a wide range of ages is always a challenge, however Calhoun-Fitts gives credit to her cast, including Truckee High School student, Shawn Ray, who plays Verges, a friend to the buffoon Dogberry, for making her job easier.
The best post performance praise to the cast and crew is when audiences comment on how the show exceeded their expectations.
“Letting children enjoy Shakespeare while young means it does not have to be a torture when they are older,” she said.
Continuing to combat an agonizing future bout with the Bard is the Midsummer's Camp where children from ages 8–17 can embark on one-week junior venture either Aug. 10-15 or Aug. 17–21, or two-week teen camp Aug. 10 –22. Both are devoted to the world and words of Shakespeare.
Under the supervision of camp director Joe Atack, a native of England, campers learn not only how to comprehend the English of the 16th and 17th century Elizabethan era but also the stories still relate to the 21st century.
The love of Romeo and Juliet against the hatred of their families to the silliness of Bottom in a “Midsummer's Nights Dream” and cunning of Richard III are all aspects of human nature young people can link with contemporary situations.
The fact that Shakespeare's plays are frequently recreated in musicals like “West Side Story” and movies such as “10 Things I Hate About You” keeps his original premises fresh for all generations.
Daily, during weekdays at the D.W. Reynolds Community Non-Profit Center in Incline Village, the art of acting is taught. Scenes are performed, history under the realm of Elizabeth I is discussed while voice and stage techniques are taught. At the end of each camp a performance of collected scenes are presented to friends and family at the Lake Tahoe School.
Each camper also receives a ticket to the evening performance of “Much Ado About Nothing” which is presented on alternating nights at the 37th Annual Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival with “Measure for Measure.”
S'mores, macaroni crafts and canoe races might not be the highlights at the Midsummer's Camp. Instead the lessons it offers provide a rich and varied base for any young person's future, be it on or off the stage.