NORFOLK, Neb. -- While most of us learned Shakespeare in high school, this junior theater camp in Norfolk has kids learning the ins and outs of play production. The Norfolk Youth Theater Camp has been one of Libby McKay’s favorite parts of her time as the president of the Norfolk Community Theater.  

McKay said helping the kids put on an entire production is fun, but is more excited when they show their love of theatrical performances.

“Even just seeing that they have found something about it that they are passionate about or that they love," McKay said. "Oh my gosh! It’s so exciting to see that fire catch.”

With the help of 15 other people, McKay gets kids, ages six to nine and 10-18, ready to entirely produce and perform a play.

For three years, the camp was only open for 10- to 18-year-olds, but McKay said she heard people in the community wondering if they would be able to hold a camp for younger kids.

“We kind of took the model we used for our 10- to 18-year-old camp and figured out how we could break it down and make it more age and developmentally appropriate for a 6- to 9-year-old age group," McKay said.

The young age group performs scripts for about 10 to 15 minutes with less “wordy” scripts, while the older group presents productions that last for around 25 minutes.

McKay said teaching the younger group can present its own challenges as some children are learning the basics of theater.

The 15 people helping McKay come up with ideas for costumes and set designs, but McKay said the kids are allowed to be as creative as possible.

“You really do see, not only the work that they put into building those characters and performing, but you will visually see all the other hands-on work that they do," McKay said.

The junior group will perform three Beatrix Potter Tales while the older group will hold a showing of three Shakespeare plays.

The performances will be shown on Saturday, July 1 with the young group at 10:30 a.m. and the older group at 1 p.m. at the Cox Activities Center on Northeast’s campus.