TOWNSHEND — The eighth summer of Leland & Gray's Summer Performing Arts Explorations (SPAE) is fast approaching.
SPAE originated as a way to provide a program for the youth of Windham County to come together and create theatrical productions. More than 78 campers have come through SPAE, which explains how we the program was able to build a staff largely made up of SPAE alumni.
From its first summer in 2009 with 10 campers in a production of Peter Pan, to last summer's performance of The Phantom Tollbooth with a cast of 32 players, SPAE has evolved greatly over the past seven years. It has held workshops led by area professionals in vocal performance, music creation, mask making, light design, sound design, set design, movement and dance, puppet making, and more.
Camp runs from Monday to Friday, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., July 27 to Aug. 8, with performances on Friday Aug. 7, at 7 p.m., and Saturday, Aug. 8, at 4 p.m.
SPAE is located in the Dutton Building on the campus of Leland & Gray on Route 30 in Townshend. The program welcomes students going into grades 5 to 8. The cost is $255 per student, sliding scale available upon request. Contact Abby Wicker at wickerabby@gmail.com.