Camp Shakespeare Documentary Premiers at Santa Fe Film Festival

“Take Pains, Be Perfect,” the documentary film on Jim (Doc) Ayres’ Camp Shakespeare and Shakespeare at Winedale programs held its premier showing at the 2022 Santa Fe Film Festival on Feb. 5.

The showing was sold-out and the audience was enthusiastic in its praise for both the film and the experience of Camp Shakespeare. The showing was followed by interviews with Ayres, Director Kristi Frazier and Executive Producer Dr. Celeste Sheppard and with comments and questions from the audience.

The film tells the story of Ayres’ exploration of Shakespeare performance through the contrasting experiences of former University Shakespeare at Winedale students 1970-2000 and the 2019 Camp Shakespeare class, ages 11-16, the former, reminiscing on the past, the latter, during actual performance. Filming for the documentary began in November 2017, and ended June 2020.

The film is a tribute to the accomplishments of students during the 50 years of Shakespeare at Winedale and the 20 years of Camp Shakespeare.

Ayres has just received notice that “Take Pains, Be Perfect” is currently being shown on PBS stations across the country and will be featured on the Austin PBS on Friday, April 8, at 9 p.m.

The film has also been selected for showing at the Dallas Film Festival in April.

The Camp Shakespeare program will resume this summer after a two-year pause for Covid id. Camp Director Robin Grace Soto and Ayres, Director of Mission, have selected “As You Like It” and “Macbeth” for the two sessions in June and July.