This week marks the beginning of Point Loma Playhouse’s 11th Annual Summer Shakes Workshop. Within this workshop, actors will be studying Shakespeare monologues as a vehicle to become stronger actors and performers. This program will culminate in the Summer Shakes Showcase. The Point Loma Playhouse is a place for locals to explore and strengthen their acting skills. The theatre organization started in 2006 as Point Loma Actors Theatre. In 2015, the organization became a non-profit; and its name was changed to “Point Loma Playhouse.” Point Loma Playhouse now hosts a variety of workshops, classes, and full-length theatrical productions. At the end of June, the Playhouse ended its run of the musical, “The Fantasticks.” The Summer Shakes Workshop lasts for eight weeks. The workshop’s director, Jeanette Knight, welcomes actors of all levels of experience to join the workshop. The minimum age is 16, and there is no maximum age. Knight explains, “A normal workshop will be very hands-on. Students should bring an open mind and come prepared to work and play with like-minded individuals.” Knight is an actor, director, and choreographer. She has played over twenty demanding roles in her acting career, and she has been teaching acting, improvisational acting, and directing at the Idyllwild Arts Academy since 2006. Directing the Summer Shakes Workshop will be Knight’s first time working with Point Loma Playhouse. On teaching the workshop, Knight explains, “My goal for the workshop will be to best assist the students in reaching their goals. I plan to find out what each student’s outcome for the workshop is so that I can assist them in achieving that. Some examples I’ve received from previous workshops include ‘to achieve a better understanding of Shakespeare,’ ‘to expand and deepen my overall acting skills,’ or ‘to have fun and make new friends.’ As far as the final showcase, I want each student to enjoy that experience and feel comfortable with their material.” Looking forward to this immersive and fun experience, Knight explains, “I love working with actors. We are a special breed willing to put our emotions on the line in order to facilitate a greater human connection.” Point Loma Playhouse’s Summer Shakes has been a tradition since 2008. In a conversation with the Playhouse’s Education Director, David Sein, he explains the showcase at the end of the workshop “has always been free to the public because it’s something we do to give back to the neighborhood. We try to find humor and do things a little differently. We may perform in modern dress or in different places so that people who may not be that familiar with Shakespeare can be exposed to it.” This workshop begins Monday, July 8 from 7-10 p.m. and continues every Monday night for eight weeks. There will be two final showcases on August 31 and September 1. For more information on the workshop or the showcase, please visit pointlomaplayhouse.com.