Starkville Community Theatre’s Project P.L.A.Y., a month-long theater camp for local children, returned from its three-year hiatus this summer.

The camp features a variety of disciplines and allows for participants to find their niche within the theater setting.

“This is our first “Project P.L.A.Y.” since June 2019,” said Gabe Smith, executive director for the organization. “Participation landed at around 30 kids, including writers, directors and performers.”

As is customary with the program, the participants will showcase what they have learned for the community through live performances.

Set for June 29 and 30 at 7 p.m. and July 1 at 1 p.m., the performances are open to the public.

“The performances will include around 20 young people, which is a good number for our first year back and with several competing alternatives around the area,” Smith said.

Admission is $6, and this goes to fund the program, allowing it to remain free for participants, Smith said.

“While we do charge ticket admission for the final performances, the camp itself has never had a cost attached for parents, which has made it and continues to make it an affordable option for potentially underserved members of our whole community,” he said.

Project P.L.A.Y. has been under the direction of MJ Etua for more than 20 years, and Smith said she is the key to it lasting as long as it has.

“Project P.L.A.Y. has been led by MJ for more than two decades, and she is the program in its current form,” Smith said. “She does it for the love of activating the creativity of her students. I think she’s been especially proud of seeing young artists grow up and mature with the program and beyond over the years, with some pursuing the arts in their higher education and even professionally. MJ has also been the main force keeping enrollment in the program free of charge since its inception.”

The program itself sees participants develop ideas for productions in various aspects, with Etua there to offer a guiding hand.

“The program starts with students who are interested in writing their own short plays, many for the first time, with guidance from MJ, who nudges them toward thinking more about how to physically express their big ideas, how to put their characters’ thoughts into words and actions and how to keep the plot feasible for staging in front of an audience,” Smith said.

“With the plays written, other young artists step up to direct the short plays, including figuring out the movements and casting and coaching other young performers from the program for all the parts needed. As the days progress in the program, each short play rehearses and adapts, ultimately leading to several performances in front of an audience. These performances are often the first time a young artist gets large-group feedback for their writing, directing, and acting. It’s always incredible to see that moment where they see their work pays off and they start to grasp the potential and power of art they’ve created to activate and touch people.”

He said the performances also serve to encourage young audience members.

“It’s also exciting to see young audience members watch these short pieces, with a stage full of kids who look like them, and learn that the shows were written and put together by someone close to their own age — it unlocks a curiosity in them, I think,” Smith said.

To purchase tickets for a performance, visit starkville-community-theatre.ticketleap.com/play23.