Today's performance of As You Like It by The Shakespeare Institute Players was a great success. The UK Summer Camp 2012 and beneficiaries of the 9/11 Scholarship Fund seemed excited to be there and eager to learn about Shakespeare. Here is a picture of the Camp Members and the Players together for the first time. Enjoy!

I have booked a trip to the Oregon Shakespeare Festival in Ashland, OR. “Wake Up with Shakespeare” with Dr. Alan Armstrong begins August 10th and runs through August 15th.  I am very excited to attend classes this year attend OSF’s productions of Throne of Blood, Henry IV, Part One, The Merchant of Venice, She Loves Me, Twelfth Night, Pride and Prejudice and Hamlet.

Read my daily OSF blog at Penny4Luck starting on August 15th!

The 10th Annual CSULB Theatrefest proved to be quite an experience. I listened to about 20 comedic monologues over the course of 3 hours. Thank goodness the students brought some energy and light into the dimly lit, dreary classroom setting. There were probably as many successes as there were failures yesterday. I think the valuable learning experience provided to these high school students are immeasurable. There is nothing more relevant to an actor then to see their peers perform, and to get feedback early on in their craft. My favorite of the day was a young man who performed Cyrano De Bergerac (and no I didn't favor him just because I love the play). It was amazing to me that he would take on such a challenging piece of theatre and hit the nail on the head, especially at the tender age of sixteen. Most importantly I admire the bravery of the students I saw this weekend. It is one thing to perform safely in your classroom, and another to perform in front of strangers in unfamiliar territory. I think there is great hope in the upcoming generation of actors.

I have been asked to serve as a judge for my second consecutive year at the 10th Annual CSULB Theatrefest, on April 16th and 17th. Last year I served on the judging panel for the classical scene semi-finals. This year they have changed the program, so I will bebe involved in judging the comedic scenes semi-finals, which will include classical and contemparary selections. I am excited at the prospect of providing feedback to the young actors in attendance and perhaps even learning a few things from them as well.