“Who better to introduce kids to Shakespeare than the Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival?”

That was the thought of Erin Sheffield more than a decade ago when she was Education Director of the celebrated summer theater festival at DeSales University, Center Valley.

This year, “Shakespeare for Kids” is celebrating its 10th anniversary of making Shakespeare accessible for children.

“Shakespeare for Kids” runs July 25 through Aug. 4 on the main stage in the Labuda Center for the Performing Arts.

With a different play from Shakespeare’s canon serving as the subject for Sheffield’s new work each year, a new theme is addressed with each production, allowing it to match the fresh energy of the audience. This year’s message, “Let me be me, and you be you,” comes directly from the plot of ”Twelfth Night.”

“People who don’t like Shakespeare just haven’t been properly introduced,” says Sheffield, a 1999 graduate of DeSales University and the playwright of “Shakespeare for Kids.”

“We make Shakespeare fun, accessible and friendly,” she says. “The goal is to introduce kids to it in a format that they are familiar with. The production feels a bit like a children’s television show. We use things like a secret word of the day. The kids really love that.”

“Shakespeare for Kids” appeals to children with a mix of playfulness, songs, comedy and adventure. Team Shakespeare is sent on a “super secret Shakespeare assignment” to put on the play “Twelfth NIght.”

The cast includes Arrianna Daniels, Kailey Edwards, and J. Dane McMichael.

“There are a lot of puppets,” says Sheffield. “We use silly string, funny hats ... and audience participation. Children are brought on stage from the audience and we have sing-alongs.”

Sheffield credits “Shakespeare 4 Kids” director Matt Pfeiffer and music writer Andrew Kane with driving much of the success of her lyrics and dialogue.

Pfeiffer, Kane and Sheffield have created a show which aims to excite, entertain and educate in a child-friendly one-hour format.

“It’s a great show for kids from 4 to 104,” Sheffield says. “We are not the traditional theater experience. We don’t expect you to sit still in your seats. This is fun for the whole family.”

Tickets: Labuda Center for the Performing Arts lobby box office, DeSales University, 2755 Station Avenue, Center Valley; pashakespeare.org/psf_tickets.php; 610-282-WILL (9455)