I highly recommend the CalShakes theater camp, which is run by the California Shakespeare Festival folks. My (then) 9 year-old daughter attended their 5-week camp last year and loved it. At the end, the students perform in one of three Shakespeare plays (abbreviated versions). They are taught Elizabethan history, stage combat and so on. Living in Berkeley, we had to get creative in getting over to the Bentley School in Orinda, where it was held last year. We ended up getting a car pool together with other families and it worked out beautifully. I understand it will most likely be in Orinda again this year, but they are looking at a site just steps from the Orinda BART station. More information can be found on the web at www.calshakes.org. Good luck! Sarah

The 7-9 and the 10-12 age groups are offered a course entitled Youth Imagination Training. A Midsummer Night's Dream, Macbeth and The Winter's Tale will be used as units of study. The following is an excerpt from Cal Shakes Midsummer Stage 2002 brochure, ''Through fun and innovative investigations of Shakespeare's stories, students will develop their own creative abilities. Techniques include basic acting, stage combat, playwriting and visual arts. The program culminates in a performance''

For more information or to register contact Cal Shakes directly at: (510) 548-3422 ext 105 Or log on to www.Calshakes.org

As a note for older children interested in learning more about acting the pre - college Shakespeare Training Program sounds exemplary. L. Ross