Hazelwood Prep

What Makes Different?

Hazelwood Prep is intentionally small.

Our students discuss history instead of memorizing it. They connect literature to real-world ideas. They learn to speak confidently, collaborate creatively, and think independently.

One hour they may be analyzing primary sources.
The next, rehearsing a scene, creating art, or preparing a presentation.

We believe education works best when students are known, challenged, encouraged, and given room to grow.

History. Literature. Speech. Theatre. Art. Community.
Not separated into boxes — but connected into a richer learning experience.

DUE JUNE 26: Nominations for the 2026 Governor’s Awards for the Arts and Humanities are now open!

Presented by the Office of the Governor in partnership with Georgia Council for the Arts and Georgia Humanities, the awards recognize individuals and organizations making a meaningful impact across Georgia through community development, innovative programs, historical preservation, and long-term investment in the arts and humanities.

Know someone doing important work in your community? Submit a nomination today at: https://www.cognitoforms.com/GDECD1/_2026GovernorsAwardsForTheArtsHumanities

Graduated an amazing young man today. Excited for what he’ll do next!

One of the biggest misconceptions about Shakespeare is that students must fully decode the language before they can enjoy the plays.

But Shakespeare was never intended to sit silently inside a textbook.

These stories were written to be performed, spoken aloud, argued over, laughed at, and emotionally experienced. They are full of humor, conflict, bad decisions, ambition, love, betrayal, confusion, ego, friendship, and family drama — which is probably why teenagers often connect with Shakespeare more naturally than adults expect.

When students encounter Shakespeare through theatre instead of simply reading passages for a test, something changes.

The language stops feeling distant.
The stories become personal.
The humor suddenly lands.
The emotions become recognizable.

And students begin discovering they are capable of far more than they realized.

Studying Shakespeare develops skills that extend well beyond theatre:
• confidence in public speaking
• stronger reading comprehension
• deeper critical thinking
• emotional intelligence
• collaboration and teamwork
• creative interpretation
• stage presence
• communication skills
• comfort with complex ideas and language

But perhaps most importantly, Shakespeare teaches students how to wrestle with complicated questions.

Why do people make destructive choices?
What happens when pride overrides wisdom?
Can revenge ever solve grief?
How much of identity is performance?
What happens when people stop listening to one another?

Those questions are not outdated.

They are deeply modern.

At Hazelwood Prep, our first June Shakespeare Camp is designed to give middle and high school students a more intimate and educational theatrical experience — one where students can truly engage with the text, build confidence, strengthen performance skills, and collaborate creatively as an ensemble.

This is not about rushing students through a giant production machine.

It is about helping students explore literature through performance while developing skills that will serve them far beyond the stage.

And somewhere during the process, many students discover something unexpected:

Shakespeare is actually fun.

School has let out, but I'm going to let you get back to your summer in just a moment. But first, at the end of the month we are doing a Sudanese Cultural Festival sponsored by Interact Club of lawrenceville at the LAC- Lawrenceville Arts Center to raise awareness about the effect of conflict on women and children. 👇

🎭 This June, we’re choosing depth over spectacle.

While some most theatre programs focus on giant casts, flashy productions, and the biggest stage possible, at Hazelwood Prep we’re intentionally creating something more personal for middle and high school students who truly want to *grow* as performers.

Our Shakespeare Summer Camp is designed to be an intimate, hands-on experience where students are actually seen, coached, challenged, and encouraged. Smaller groups mean:
✨ More individualized direction
✨ Stronger acting and speaking skills
✨ Deeper understanding of Shakespeare’s language and themes
✨ Real ensemble collaboration
✨ Opportunities to take creative risks in a supportive environment

This isn’t about disappearing into a crowd of 60 students to rehearse two lines for a polished showcase. It’s about learning the craft of theatre while building confidence, presence, and connection.

Students will spend June exploring Shakespeare through performance, movement, character work, storytelling, and rehearsal — culminating in performances on June 26 & 27.

🎭 June 1–25
📍 Lawrenceville, GA
🌿 Middle & High School Students

For students who love theatre… and for students who are just beginning to discover they might. ❤️