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Todd Willard, a teacher at Northeastern Elementary School in Hastings, will be part of the staff for the Thornapple Arts Council of Barry County's annual youth theatre workshop.

Willard and Bonny Sheltema of New York will be the instructors.

The workshop, open to all county students who have completed fifth through 12th grade, will be held for two weeks, from 12:30-3:30 p.m. June 18-22 and June 25-29. The activity will be held in the Arts Hatchery Building in Fish Hatchery Park, Hastings.

Participants will have an opportunity to learn makeup usage, body movement, oral interpretations, role playing, memorization, performance, character development, expressions, improvisations, voice usage, set development, set construction and information about theatre and acting as a business.

Willard holds a master's degree in creative arts from Lesley College and a bachelor's degree from Central Michigan University. In college, Willard played the miser in "The Miser," as well as having roles in the "The Glass Menagerie," "Jacque Brel is Alive and Well & Living in Paris" and "Kiss Me Kate."

This spring, he portrayed Henry Higgins in the Arts Council's Thornapple Players' production of "My Fair Lady." Last year, Willard played the part of Evelyn in "Anything Goes." He has directed several children's shows for the local Arts Council.

Last summer, Willard had a foray into professional theatre, playing one of three roles in "The Complete Works of William Shakespeare" and playing the part of Linus in "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown" at the Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp.

In addition to performing, Willard directed the Hastings High School production of "Arsenic and Old Lace" this spring.

"We are excited to have Todd co-teach this year's workshop. It is great to utilize the talent we have right here in Barry County," said Norma Jean Acker, producer and project director for the Arts Council.

The local summer theatre workshop program and play presentations provide valuable instruction for beginners as well as experienced young actors, a spokesperson said.

Thirty students will be accepted into the program on a first-received basis. The deadline to apply is this week.

A student showcase on June 29 will be presented at the end of the workshop.

This activity is made possible by a generous grant from the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs, Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo, Mike Humphreys, the Sue Drummond Art Education Fund and contributions from other patrons.

For this summer's Youth Theatre Program presentation, the Arts Council has tentatively scheduled "Anne of Green Gables." Auditions for the play will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. June 27 and 1-3 p.m. June 28. Rehearsals run from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. July 5 through Aug. 9 (Mondays through Fridays). Performances of the play will be at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 10-11 and 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 11 at Central School Auditorium in Hastings. The Saturday matinee will be signed by Merri Domer for the hearing impaired. Domer, of Charlotte, combines her love and experience in theatre with her knowledge of sign language. She is currently the assistant to the teacher consultant for the physically and otherwise health and hearing impaired in the Eaton Intermediate School District.

This summer's local play production is designed to provide a learning experience to all participants. Students will be cast in the play or be assigned specific crew positions or both. Regular attendance is essential regardless of part or position. Any conflicts (such as family vacation) should be discussed with the director. All students signed up for the program will participate in the play, with auditions determining cast or crew positions.

Play participants will learn skills such as creativity, memorization, actor movement, voice technique, script analysis, concentration, decision making, commitment, teamwork, taking direction, follow through, sound techniques, lighting techniques, time-line management, visual arts in set design, layout and construction.

Director for the production of "Anne of Green Gables" will be Trish Rickert of Wayland.

Rickert will be assisted in the local summer event by a student director and Acker of Hastings.

Because of the generous funding the Arts Council has received, cost of the two-week workshop is $40 per person. The "play only" fee is $50. Participants enrolled in the entire seven week summer theatre program will be charged $80. Families with more than one student in the activity may take advantage of a $5 discount per child.

For additional information, call Norma Jean Acker at 616-945-2332 or Rose Heaton, Arts Council managing director at 945-2002.