The Young Shakespeare Players East theater program promises to transport audiences to “a world of enchantment and sorcery” during four performances of William Shakespeare’s “The Tempest” next weekend.

The play, which lasts two hours and 45 minutes, will be performed at the Shea Theater Arts Center, 71 Avenue A in Turners Falls, on Friday, Jan. 12, at 7 p.m.; Saturday, Jan. 13, at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m.; and Sunday, Jan. 14, at 1 p.m. Admission is free, though concessions are available for sale during the two intermissions.

“The Tempest” revolves around the character of Prospero, the former Duke of Milan, who uses his magical powers to orchestrate events on a remote island where he has been stranded with his daughter, Miranda. The play explores themes of magic, betrayal, forgiveness, power and control.

Young Shakespeare Players East is a volunteer-run, nonprofit theater program that invites young people ages 8 to 18 to perform full-length, original works of Shakespeare. Its mission is to enable growth for young minds and help young people find a voice through understanding and performing classical theater. Every member of the Young Shakespeare Players East ensemble participates as actor, director and stage technician. There are no auditions or rejections.

Almost half the students in the production are homeschooled, making participating in the theater program an important way to make friends and socialize with other children. Shutesbury resident Violet Hendren, who plays Ariel, explained she recently moved to the area from Texas, and she was able to meet kids her age and learn about other local activities from the connections she made at Young Shakespeare Players East.

“The group starts to feel like a family,” said homeschooler and Florence resident Lucy McGuinness-Holland, who plays Miranda.

Many of the children in the cast explained watching Shakespearean plays be performed by children gives them a whole new meaning.

“It is a totally different approach than most people take,” said Shelburne resident Emma Hale, who is playing Trinculo. Emma attends Buckland-Shelburne Elementary School.

Many of the members of the ensemble have participated in the program for years. This includes 14-year-old Petersham resident Amelia Burch, who said she loves the program because taking on the role of a character gives her a chance to “step into the shoes of someone new and understand them.”

Pax Belmonte, a homeschooled resident of Turners Falls who is playing Antonio, said they enjoy performing Shakespearean plays.

“It is a good learning experience learning all the different words from a long time ago,” Belmonte said.

“This is just a celebration of our work,” Pax said of the upcoming performances. “It would be nice for people to come and support us.”

For more information, visit youngshakespeareplayerseast.org.

Reach Bella Levavi at blevavi@recorder.com.