By Kim Hilsenbeck
It’s Tuesday and campers at the Hays High Summer Theatre Camp are auditioning for a part in the play, “I hate Shakespeare.”
“It’s almost like Saturday Night Live meets Shakespeare,” theatre teacher Brandon Snyder said.
Up in the seats, No Name Players President and Hays High senior Trent Tyson along with Vice President and junior Christian Barrow watch the performances. They are casting roles in the show, keeping an eye out for the students who do the best at projecting, acting and saying the lines.
But everyone will have a part to play, big or small.
Snyder, now in his fourth year with the high school, said one of the many skills students learn at the camp is creating something collaboratively.
“It’s also about having fun,” he said.
Campers also practice public speaking, which means getting over a fear most Americans have — second only to death in most surveys. The theatre can also help students who may be more introverted.
“I’ve seen kids go from seed to flower after a week in camp,” Snyder said. “They’ve really blossomed.”
Snyder said this year he has 27 campers, four junior counselors from middle schools and about a dozen high school counselors.
“They are all volunteers,” Snyder said.
Many of the campers are repeat attendees, while others are new to show business.
Snyder said the camp is the troupe’s biggest fundraiser.
“All of the money goes back into the troupe’s activity fund,” he said.
Campers pay for the weeklong session but the Sunday performance is free and open to the public.
The money raised helps pay for transportation and other costs for Hays theatre students to attend the annual Texas Thespian Festival. Some funds may also be used to purchase supplies, costumes and props.
The troupe’s other big fundraiser is the annual musical. This past year they performed Godspell. Snyder said he hopes to have this coming year’s show selected by early August.
And he hopes more people from the community come out to enjoy the troupe’s shows.
“It’s a nice night out right here in your backyard,” he said.
I hate Shakespeare
Enjoy the free performance of “I hate Shakespeare” at 1 p.m. this Sunday at the Burdine Johnson Theatre at Hays High School. Donations are accepted.
