Announcing the 15th Anniversary Season of the Notre Dame Shakespeare Festival!

This 15th season is also the 150th anniversary of the first Shakespeare play ever performed at the University and the 450th anniversary of Shakespeare’s birth. We look forward commemorating this momentous convergence of events with the following:

 ShakeScenesJuly 19 & 20, 2014

Young Company | The Merry Wives of WindsorJuly & August, 2014

 Professional Company | Henry IVAugust 19–31, 2014

 Actors From The London Stage | Much Ado About NothingSeptember 17–19, 2014

Explore the power and imagination of Shakespeare’s works, and celebrate a century and a half of the playwright’s influence here at Notre Dame. Join us for the 15th anniversary season of the Notre Dame Shakespeare Festival.

2014 Notre Dame Shakespeare Festival Season

2014 Notre Dame Shakespeare Festival Season

A word about Richard III from our Artistic Director

For anyone who would like an overview of Richard III prior to attending, it’s hard to find a clearer description than the link below, from The Useful Guide to Shakespeare, by Patrick Bringley.  We’ve included a synopsis in the Richard III playbill, and you can attend our pre-show talks called “Beyond the Stage,” but Bringley’s is a very simple and clear introduction, and while not a text for younger readers, would be helpful to any parent talking to kids about the play.  (May we remind you that children under 18 are free with a paid adult, but the production is not recommended for children under 6.)  Bringley is connected to us via Festival favorite Maureen Gallagher, the actor playing Richard’s mother, the Duchess of York.  As always, please send us your thoughts: on our production, on this introduction, or on Shakespeare in general, and see you at the show! – Grant Mudge, Ryan Producing Artistic Director, Notre Dame Shakespeare Festival

http://shakespearebook.wordpress.com/2013/08/08/richard-iii-introduction-synopsis-summary-character-list/

South Bend Tribune Previews Richard III

Read Andy Hughes’ terrific story on our Richard III.

http://www.southbendtribune.com/entertainment/inthebend/article_8ad98e7a-07ec-11e3-b72e-001a4bcf6878.html

 

The Comedy of Errors

photo by Peter Ringenberg

Jackie Gessert, Joey Doyle, and Nathan Goodrich

photo by Peter Ringenberg

Bobby Bowman, Chris Silvestri, and Hunter Paul

photo by Peter Ringenberg

Ayssette Munoz and Jess Alexander

The Notre Dame Shakespeare Festival’s Young Company had their first performance of The Comedy of Errors yesterday. The crowd of over 100 people in Stevensville, Michigan, enjoyed the spirited performance. Next up is Potawatomi Park Pavilion in South Bend on Saturday, July 27, 2013.