SHAKESPEARE IN THE PARK
I am the founding director of Wheaton's Shakespeare in the Park. I thought of the idea as a way to solve and address two different problems: I wanted to find a way to reach further into our community. I was invited to a dinner where the leaders from the college and the city of Wheaton were exploring what arts offerings could be available to community members. I knew that we had the talent and artistic resources to add to this conversation. On the other side we had our alumni. We have a unique group of alumni who are both talented theater makers but also interested in coming back and giving back to our program. I had just directed a project for alumni in the city of Chicago and knew that the talent and desire was there. Out of those two drives, I began to build Shakespeare in the Park. It is a collaboration between Arena Theater and our partners at the Wheaton Park District. We bring back alumni (many professional actors and theater faculty) to come and work on a play with our current students. With support from the parks, we are able to put together a professional level production at a local park. It has become a staple of the summer in downtown Wheaton. The performances are attended by more than 1000 people. This project has been a huge success and a great example of the best kind of town and gown event. It was also mentioned when Wheaton was named #27 on the list of best places to live.
https://money.com/collection/2018-best-places-to-live/5361480/wheaton-illinois-2/
My role in this project is extensive. I am the artistic director, producer, and scenic designer every summer. I plan, hire, and produce the production. I help cast the show with the director. I plan the budget and hire actors, designers, and teachers for the summer. I find housing for out of town actors. I plan the schedule and help students get into their housing. In addition, I design and build the set. I am the producing contact for the Park District and I manage all logistics of sound, moving, and set up in the park. I have acted in productions and directed them as well. Below you will see the list of plays we have performed and a few images from previous years.
2013: As You Like It
2014: Love’s Labour’s Lost
2015: A Midsummer Night’s Dream
2016: Twelfth Night
2017: Much Ado About Nothing
2018: The Tempest
2021: Henry IV, Part 1
2022: A Midsummer Night's Dream
Twelfth Night Promo Video
https://wheatonparkdistrict.com/events/shakespeare/#
https://money.com/collection/2018-best-places-to-live/5361480/wheaton-illinois-2/
My role in this project is extensive. I am the artistic director, producer, and scenic designer every summer. I plan, hire, and produce the production. I help cast the show with the director. I plan the budget and hire actors, designers, and teachers for the summer. I find housing for out of town actors. I plan the schedule and help students get into their housing. In addition, I design and build the set. I am the producing contact for the Park District and I manage all logistics of sound, moving, and set up in the park. I have acted in productions and directed them as well. Below you will see the list of plays we have performed and a few images from previous years.
2013: As You Like It
2014: Love’s Labour’s Lost
2015: A Midsummer Night’s Dream
2016: Twelfth Night
2017: Much Ado About Nothing
2018: The Tempest
2021: Henry IV, Part 1
2022: A Midsummer Night's Dream
Twelfth Night Promo Video
https://wheatonparkdistrict.com/events/shakespeare/#
This blog is from one of our first productions and highlights the process of rehearsing the play.
