LEWISTON — The Public Theatre’s professional theater training program for teens will stage a free performance of “How to Act like a Child: Lessons in NOT Being a Grown-up,” a compilation of hip and entertaining stories inspired by children’s book author Shel Silverstein and others at 6 p.m., Friday, July 28. Also included will be several songs to show off the vocal skills the students are learning.

Featuring an auditioned and hand-picked group of 13 students ranging from ages 11-to-16, these young thespians have been hard at work for the past three weeks taking daily classes in stage combat, voice and speech, singing and the fundamentals of acting. The Public Theatre’s summer intensive program is a unique alternative to other “drama camps,” as it is taught exclusively by theatre professionals, offering professional insights and standards.

Public Theatre Co-Artistic Director Janet Mitchko said, “Instead of having the single focus be the putting on of a play, we put our focus on developing the skills needed to begin to create truthful life on stage. Our goal is to build each student’s skills in concentration and talking and listening, and to teach them to think about themselves and acting in a new way. Although we do finish the session with a short performance piece, the goal of the piece is to showcase the skills they are learning, and reinforce a new way to think about performing.”

FMI: Call 782-3200. The Public Theatre is at 31 Maple St.