LOCAL BRIEFS Elm Shakespeare launches Teen Troupe

NEW HAVEN — Elm Shakespeare Company recently announced the launch of online Teen Troupe for fall 2020.

In response to the success of its online residencies this spring and several summer camp sessions, ESC has had success with their engaging, creative, and fun online activities for teens.

Teen Troupe, for those age 13 to 18, immerses each student in a challenging, creative environment working with theater professionals.

In this format, students will receive two private coaching sessions each week via Zoom with ESC artists, Producing Artistic Director Rebecca Goodheart and Ben Curns.

Goodheart has directed the two most recent productions, “The Comedy of Errors” and “Loves Labours Lost.”

Curns appeared in Elm’s 2019 rendition of “The Comedy of Errors,” as Dromio of Ephesus.

There is a new factor for this session of Teen Troupe. Students will be studying Shakespeare’s scariest moments. The final performance is an outdoor panoramic theater event open to the public. Rehearsals will be held Saturdays on Zoom, starting Sept. 19, with the final performance intended for Halloween night.

The cost of Teen Troupe Fall 2020 is $350, which can be paid online or via check after registration on the Elm Shakespeare Company website or by email to registration@elmshakespeare.org.

Enrollment open at nursery school

HAMDEN — The Mishkan Israel Nursery School is taking registrations for the 2020-21 school year.

The program is known for its curriculum and teachers, diversity of students, competitive rates and a flexible schedule particularly suited for working parents. There are unique enrichment classes, including Spanish and music, according to a statement.

The school serves infants 6 weeks to 5 years. Both part-day and full-day options are available. The school is multi-cultural and open to the community.

The Mishkan Israel Nursery School is located at 785 Ridge Road in Hamden. Some classes are already full. For more information and to arrange a tour, contact Early Childhood Director Susan Witten Nason at 203-2882375 or sperry@cmihamden.org.

Blood drives scheduled in area

The American Red Cross has scheduled blood drives in the area through the month of September.

Make an appointment to donate by downloading the free Red Cross Blood Donor app, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 800733-2767, or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device.

. To learn more or sign up to host a blood drive this fall or winter, visit RedCrossBlood.org/ HostADrive.

East Haven: Sept. 22, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., Irish American Community Center, 9 Venice Place.

Guilford: Sept. 30, 1 to 6 p.m., Guilford Community Center, 32 Church St./Route 77; and 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Guilford Community Center, 32 Church St./ Route 77.

Hamden: Sept. 18, 12:15 to 6 p.m., Whitneyville Cultural Commons, 1253 Whitney Ave.; and Sept. 25, 12:15 to 6 p.m., Whitneyville Cultural Commons, 1253 Whitney Ave.

Meriden: Sept. 28, 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., Meriden Church of Christ, 127 E. Main St.

Milford: Sept. 18, 1 to 6:45 p.m., Grace Baptist church, 400 Burnt Plains Road; Sept. 20 12:45 to 6:45 p.m., Elks Club, 124 New Haven Ave.; Sept. 22, 1 to 6 p.m., Kingdom Life Christian Church, 597 Naugatuck Ave; and 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Kingdom Life Christian Church, 597 Naugatuck Ave.

Naugatuck: Sept. 25, 1 to 6 p.m., Naugatuck Park & Recreation,

607 Rubber Ave.

New Haven: Sept. 16, 11 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., Yale School of Medicine, 367 Cedar St.; Sept. 17, noon to 5 p.m., YALE ES Harkness, 367 Cedar St.; 7 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., YALE ES Harkness, 367 Cedar

St.; Sept. 18, 11 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., YALE ES Harkness, 367 Cedar St.

North Haven: Sept. 19, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Best Western North Haven, 201 Washington Ave.; Sept. 22, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Quinnipiac University’s North Haven campus, 370 Bassett Road; Sept. 30, 12:45 to 6 p.m., Best Western North Haven, 201 Washington Ave.

Northford: Sept. 26, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Northford Community Center, 1332 Middletown Ave.

Oxford: Sept. 17, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Oxford Senior Center, 10

Old Church Road; Sept. 30, 1 to 6 p.m., Griffin Medical, 300 Oxford Road.

Seymour: Sept. 18, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Seymour Land Trust, 13 Chatfield St.; Sept. 28, 1 to 6 p.m., Seymour Land Trust, 13 Chatfield St.

Shelton: Sept. 18, 1 to 6 p.m., Shelton Community Center, 41 Church St.; 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Shelton Community Center, 41 Church St.