Collaborative Arts will yet again present its free Shakespeare Festival this summer in Charlotte. This year’s performances include Twelfth Night and Julius Caesar. For more information, check out the press release below.
COLLABORATIVE ARTS PRESENTS THE CHARLOTTE SHAKESPEARE FESTIVALRegion’s Only Free Shakespeare Festival Returns for 4th Year with Two Plays
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Collaborative Arts will present the region’s only free Shakespeare festival, kicking off it’s 2009 summer season with William Shakespeare’s comedy Twelfth Night outdoors at The Green Uptown May 28-June 14, 2009. The second production in this year’s festival is the tale of political intrigue and ambition, Julius Caesar. The second show runs August 5-August 15, 2009, inside at the McGlohon Theatre at Spirit Square.
Performances of Twelfth Night take place May 28-June 14 on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings at 8:00pm and Sundays at 6:30pm. The Green is located in Uptown Charlotte at 401 S. Tryon Street, between 1st Street and Martin Luther King, Jr. Street, directly across the street from the new South Tryon Cultural Campus.
Performances of Julius Caesar take place August5-August15 on Wednesday and Thursday at 7:30pm, Friday and Saturday evenings at 8:00pm and Sunday afternoons at 3:00pm. The McGlohon Theatre is located at 345 N. College Street in Uptown Charlotte.
There is no admission charge for either show, but donations will be accepted at the end of each performance. For Twelfth Night, patrons are encouraged to bring blankets or lawn chairs and may bring food and beverages, if desired. Seating areas open 1 hour prior to curtain. Wine, beer and food will also be available for purchase at the evening performances from local restaurants located at The Green. For Julius Caesar, seating is provided inside the historic McGlohon Theatre on a first-come, first-served basis. House opens 30 minutes prior to curtain.
A limited number of reserved seats are available for both productions. Contact Collaborative Arts (Call 704-625-1288 or email hi@collaborativeartstheatre.com for more information.
Twelfth Night
The romantic comedy Twelfth Night is directed by Joe Copley and features an outstanding cast of Charlotte actors including Elise Wilkinson, Chaz Pofahl, Peter Smeal, Greta Marie Zandstra, Chad Calvert, Andrea King and Craig Spradley.
Julius Caesar
Collaborative Arts Artistic Director, Elise Wilkinson, directs Julius Caesar. The large cast includes Jonavan Adams, Shon Wilson, Corlis Hayes, Joe Copley, Chaz Pofahl, Andrea King and Greta Marie Zandstra.
Family Days at The Green…including Free Educational Workshops
Collaborative Arts will offer free educational Shakespeare workshops Sundays at The Green at 5pm, prior that evening’s performance of Twelfth Night. This workshop, led by local actor and drama instructor Greta Marie Zandstra (the actress playing Olivia), will focus on “playing Shakespeare” and will consist of fun, energetic and interactive games and exercises providing insights into the text of the play. No prior experience or training is necessary. The workshop is open to young people ages 10 and up, as well as adults. Families are invited to attend together. Attendance is limited to 20 participants on a first-come, first-served basis. No reservations necessary.
Wednesday is Shakespeare Trivia Night at The Green
Every Wednesday during the run of Twelfth Night, patrons can test their knowledge during Shakespeare Trivia Night. The game begins at 7:15. Prizes will be awarded.
Inclement Weather Policy
We make very effort to perform our shows, including performing in light rain or with the threat of rain. However, safety is our primary concern. In the case of lightening or strong rain, we will cancel or temporarily suspend a show as needed to ensure the safety of our audience and actors. In the event of inclement weather at the start of a workshop, the workshop will be cancelled or rescheduled at the discretion of the workshop leader. Patrons may call 704-625-1288 the night of the show for weather-related updates.
About Collaborative Arts
Collaborative Arts is a non-profit, professional theatre company dedicated to producing inventive productions of classical and contemporary plays. Our goal is to offer programming not frequently available in Charlotte – in particular classical theatre, site-specific productions and professional-level training opportunities for local actors. The company produces 3 – 4 shows each season, including The Charlotte Shakespeare Festival (the region’s only free Shakespeare festival). For more information, please visit www.collaborativeartstheatre.com or call 704-625-1288.
This article appears in May 12-19, 2009.
