The Lakeside Shakespeare Theatre kicks off its 10th anniversary season with An Evening in Verona

On May 25th The Lakeside Shakespeare Theatre will transform Oliver Art Center into the House of Capulet for An Evening in Verona - a 10th anniversary season fundraising event for Northern Michigan’s own professional Shakespeare Company.  In an effort to build community and highlight their 2013 Season, LST will treat guests to the music of wandering minstrels, local food and wine, but the focus will be interactive scenes performed by the company.

Ever dream of being on stage?  LST will auction off a walk on role during the 2013 Season performance of either Romeo and Juliet or The Comedy of Errors or perhaps a public wooing would be more your style, come ready to bid. In addition there will be myriad opportunities to show your support for LST’s 10th anniversary through auction items, sponsorship, and of course, audience participation.

Highlighting the support of Northern Michigan’s foodie scene, Jim Barnes and  Suz McLaughlin will craft food provided by May Farm, Birch Point Farm, Echo Bend Farm, The Ant and The Grasshopper Farm, and Ware Farm into a modest feast fit for a Capulet -- or a Montague. Glasses will be filled by Leelanau Vintner’s Association, "as an annual celebration of the culture & cuisine of Northern Michigan, the Traverse City Wine & Art Festival is dedicated to supporting the arts in our region," explains Festival Director Laura Herd. "We are so excited to have Lakeside Shakespeare at our festival on June 22, 2013 and look forward to sharing wines from our 30 wineries at their fundraiser!"

An Evening in Verona is The Lakeside Shakespeare Theatre’s third event at Oliver Art Center, reinforcing a partnership which plans to bring dramatic arts education to Northern Michigan year round. “The only people who could be happier to work with Lakeside Shakespeare than all of us at Oliver Art Center are the kids and young adults attending their fun, frantic, fantastic theater workshops,” said Steve Brown, Director of Oliver Art Center. In preparation for the fundraiser, there will be a special mask-making open studio at Oliver Art Center on May 15th from 4-6pm, for revelers 12-up. For complete details visit lakesideshakespeare.org.

In honor of the Bard’s birthday, tickets sales for An Evening in Verona will launch on April 23rd. Tickets for An Evening in Verona will be available online at lakesideshakespeare.org,  at Corner Drug, Charlie’s Natural Food Market, and the Oliver Art Center in Frankfort, as well as at Oryana Natural Food Market in Traverse City.

The mere mention of Shakespeare can either inspire or intimidate –which is why Lakeside Shakespeare Theatre has become such a beloved part of Northern Michigan—to know them is to love them. Come to Verona for an evening, and join in the community and revelry.

For more information on Lakeside Shakespeare Theatre, upcoming community events, and the 10th Season schedule, please see: http://www.lakesideshakespeare.org/

Season 10 Events:

May 15, 2013 Mask-making open studio at Oliver Art Center, 12-up.

May 25, 2013 An Evening in Verona at Oliver Art Center. 7pm

June 22, 2013 Members of LST will perform at the TC Wine and Arts Festival

July 4,2013 LST will walk in the City of Frankfort Parade --an event for the WHOLE family. We’ll be making hats at Petals and Perks, find details on our website.

The Lakesides Shakespeare Theatre’s 10th Anniversary Season

Preview:  Romeo and Juliet July 23rd and The Comedy of Errors July 24th

Romeo and Juliet directed by Jeff Christian, July 25, 27,30 and Aug 1

The Comedy of Errors directed by Scott Cummins, July 26, 28, 31 and Aug 2

2013 Summer Season will offer new and focused workshops:

Children's Workshop (ages 5-10)

Wednesday, July 31st and Thursday, August 1st, 10am to 1pm at Oliver Art Center

Friday, 2nd 10am to 1pm at Tank Hill

performance at 6:15 at Tank Hill

This year’s workshop will be conducted by LST ensemble members and educational staff.  Students will play games, learn simple (safe!) stage combat, and explore the world of Shakespeare.  Then the group will be divided into teams, and with the guidance of our instructors create their very own short plays.  These playlets will then be performed for our audience on the evening of our final performance Friday, August 2nd at 6:15pm! For more details and to enroll, visit lakesideshakespeare.org

Young Adult Workshop

(ages 11 and up)

Thursday, July 25th and Friday 26th, 1:30pm to 3:30pm at Oliver Art Center

Saturday, July 27th 1:30pm to 3:30pm at Tank Hill

performance at 6:15pm at Tank Hill

Participants will rehearse and perform a shortened version of Romeo and Juliet. There will be fight choreography and acting galore! The short play will be performed for our audience on Saturday, July 27th at 6:15pm! For more details and to enroll, visit lakesideshakespeare.org

Adult Workshop

Saturday, July 27th 1pm-3pm

at Oliver Art Center

Join members of the Lakeside Shakespeare Theatre ensemble and broaden your understanding of Shakespeare through study and analysis of Romeo and Juliet and A Comedy of Errors. For more details and to enroll, visit lakesideshakespeare.org