Several area performing arts organizations are now signing up boys and girls in their summer camp series, open to anyone with enthusiasm (no auditions necessary). A few are even offering classes for adults (see sidebar).

Dover: Bell Center for Music and the Arts' younger campers will help produce a full production, including acting, singing, costumes, make-up, rehearsal techniques, script reading, dance and more. "101 Dalmations," for students going into grades 2-8, runs July 5-22, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m., with performances July 23-24 and 30-31. The Teen Actors Workshop, with instructors Scott Severance, Kathy Fink and Seth Mazzaglia, is for teens going into grades 8 and up. Camp runs July 18-Aug. 5, 1-4:30 p.m, with performances Aug. 6 and 7. Contact Kathy Fink at 603-742-2355, ext. 102 or visit www.bellcenter.org for more information.

Durham: Gamaliel Theatre Company has openings for kids ready to "act, learn, make friends and have fun" in two sessions, "Shakespeare Showcase" (July 25-29) and "Murder at Hedgehog Manor" (Aug. 1-20). Camp runs Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-noon at the Durham Community Church, and is open to ages 9-15. Call 603-868-1088 for more information.

Durham: Mill Pond Center for the Arts, which offers programs for adults year round, presents two sessions of musical theater camp, along with their other arts and dance camps. "Annie Jr." runs July 11-23, with performances July 23 and 24, and "Cinder Dude" runs July 25-Aug. 6, with performances Aug. 6 and 7. Workshops for ages 6-9 are 9 a.m.-noon and Friday 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Workshops for ages 10 and up are 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Call 603-868-8999 or visit www.millpondcenter.org for more information.

Durham: UNH Theatre Day Camp offers theater training in acting, creative arts, musical theater, production and performance. Courses for grades 3-5 include Primary Drama Camp With Masks, July 11-15, and Primary Drama Camp With Puppets, Aug. 15-19, both running 9:30 a.m.-noon. Courses for grades 6-8 include Junior Acting and Playwriting Camp, July 11-15, and Junior Musical Theatre Camp, Aug. 8-19, both 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Students in grades 9-12 are invited to the Advanced Theatre Series, Aug. 8-12, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Epping: Leddy Center for the Arts' singing camp is sold out, but three more opportunities remain. Musical Theater Camp for ages 9-16 runs July 11-22, 9 a.m. -1 p.m. During the week of Aug. 8-12, Mini Theater Camp for ages 5 and 6 runs 10:30 a.m.-noon and Musical Theater Camp for ages 7 and 8 runs 1-3 p.m. For more information, call 603-679-2781 or visit www.leddycenter.org.

Portsmouth: New Hampshire Theatre Project puts an "emphasis on artistic excellence, developmentally appropriate activities, social skills and critical thinking, teamwork and summer fun." Kids Theatre Camp I and II, now in its fifth year and for ages 6-10, runs July 11-15 and July 18-22, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Story Camp, now in its ninth year, provides experience in acting, movement, writing, visual arts and music, with an emphasis on ensemble performances based on children's literature and origianl writing by participants. Story Camp, for ages 8 to 12, runs July 25-Aug. 6, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Camp and final performances are at West End Studio Theatre. Call 603-431-6644 or visit www.nhtheatreproject.org for more information.

Portsmouth: Seacoast Repertory Theatre offers day camps and a two-week sleep-away camp, all of which are sold out. To be wait-listed for next summer's program, contact Stacy at 603-433-4793 ext. 114.

Arts Rochester's summer programs include dance intensives with Broadway and video pros; pre-school music, dance and art camps; and a musical theater camp, led by Sarah Shanahan, Jane Forde and Adrienne Hounsell, July 5-16, for ages 8-16. For more information, call 603-330-0111 or visit www.arts-rochester.org.

Touring Actors Company does not offer summer camps, but the Teen Division is always looking for young actors with theater experience to audition for their shows throughout the summer. For more information, contact Kate Kirkwood at 603-781-4304.

playing for adults

New Hampshire Theatre Project will offer a scene study class for adults this summer, with instructors Genevieve Aichele and Keith Weirich, Wednesdays June 29-Aug. 3, 7-9 p.m. The course is designed primarily for those with some performing experience and will culminate in a performance of short scenes on Saturday, Aug. 6 at 8 p.m. at West End Studio Theatre, 959 Islington St., Portsmouth. For more information, call 603-431-6644.

Stranger Than Fiction, New Hampshire's improv comedy troupe, will host Camprov, the Northeast Improv Retreat and Festival, in Raymond, Maine, Aug. 26-28, featuring dozens of workshops in improv and standup comedy, plus all the summer camp fixin's, including campfire storytelling, a lobster bake, a canoe race and an archery contest. Featured guest will be Armando Diaz. For more information, visit www.camprov.com or call 603-772-0748 and ask for John.