(Lenox, MA)— Hundreds of teenagers from ten different schools will take to the stage at Shakespeare & Company beginning November 17th for the 28th Fall Festival of Shakespeare’s final performances. An annual tradition, the Fall Festival is the culmination of the nationally recognized program that places Shakespeare & Company Education Artists in ten local and regional schools, where they lead students in a nine-week exploration of Shakespeare’s plays.
“The Fall Festival has become a much celebrated tradition in our community and serves as a model for others across the country. It’s intentionally non-competitive. It’s intentionally inclusive of all students with a desire to learn about Shakespeare, theatre, and all aspects of theatre production. The Fall Festival challenges each student to be extraordinary in practicing responsibility, creativity, and cooperation,” said Director of Education Kevin G. Coleman.
Led by Coleman and Associate Director of Education Jenna Ware, the Fall Festival is a celebration, rather than a competition. Students are encouraged to delve into Shakespeare’s works, unpacking the language and savoring the humor, intensity and transcendent beauty of Shakespeare’s plays. Daily rehearsals focus on students’ personal responses to the text and connection to the language. Students also have the opportunity to develop skills in stage combat, performance aesthetics, dance, technical theatre, stage management, marketing and publicity during their Fall Festival experience. The ten schools participating in the 2016 Fall Festival of Shakespeare include Berkshire Waldorf High School, Chatham High School (New York), Lee High School, Lenox Memorial High School, Monument Mountain Regional High School, Mount Everett Regional High School, Mount Greylock Regional High School, Springfield Central High School, Taconic High School and Taconic Hills High School (New York).
“Fall Festival is a magical event filled with adrenaline and enthusiasm,” said a student from Springfield Central High School. “I can finally be surrounded with people as excited about theatre as I am.”
Students from all ten schools will gather in a spirit of celebration to perform their plays for the public in a four-day festival at the Tina Packer Playhouse from Thursday, November 17 through Sunday, November 20.
Fall Festival of Shakespeare Performance Schedule:
Thursday, November 17
6:15pm – Lee High School | A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Directed by Douglas Seldin and Kate Washington
Costume Designer – Sarah Miharu Gardner
Production Designer – James W. Bilnoski
8:30pm – Mount Everett Regional High School | The Tempest
Directed by Caitlin Kraft and Maizy Scarpa
Costume Designer – Audrey Pugh
Production Designer – Thomas Randle
Friday, November 18
6:15pm – Taconic High School | The Comedy of Errors
Directed by Luke Reed and Amy Hayes
Costume Designer – Sarah Miharu Gardner
Production Designer – Ben Ramos
8:30pm – Mount Greylock Regional High School | Hamlet
Directed by Tom Jaeger and Grace Lazarz
Costume Designer – Brittney Holland
Production Designer – Robyn Warfield
Saturday, November 19
1:30pm – Springfield Central High School | The Comedy of Errors
Directed by Lezlie Lee, AD Newcomer, Maurice Doran,
and Rebekah Dowdell
Costume Designer – Peggy Walsh
Production Designer – Robyn Warfield
3:30pm – Berkshire Waldorf High School | Henry IV, pt.1
Directed by Sarah Bowles, Dara Silverman, and Beth Robbins
Costume Designer – Audrey Pugh
Production Designer – Ben Ramos
6:15pm – Monument Mountain Regional High School | As You Like It
Directors – Dana Harrison and Concetta Russo
Costume Designer – Peggy Walsh
Production Designer – James W. Bilnoski
8:30pm – Lenox Memorial High School | Much Ado About Nothing
Directors – Annie Considine and Rory Hammond
Costume Designer – Keira McGee
Production Designer – Thomas Randle
Sunday, November 20
1:30pm – Chatham High School | Julius Caesar
Directed by Lori Evans and Tom Giordano
Costume Designer – Keira McGee
Production Designer – Marcus Kearns
3:30pm – Taconic Hills High School | Romeo and Juliet
Directed by Caroline Calkins and Gregory Boover
Costume Designer – Mary Boyce
Production Designer – Marcus Kearns
Tickets and Festival passes for adults and students are available online at www.shakespeare.org, or by calling Shakespeare & Company Box Office at (413) 637-3353. To observe a performance or to arrange interviews, please contact Molly Clancy, Publicity Director by phone at (413) 637-1199, ext. 145, or by email mclancy@shakespeare.org.
The Fall Festival of Shakespeare is supported in part by Deborah and Bill M. Ryan; Jeffrey Konowitch and Wendy Laurin; and by the grants from the National Endowment for the Arts; the Massachusetts Cultural Council; the Dr. Robert C. and Tina Sohn Foundation; the Great Barrington, Lee, Lenox, Monterey, New Marlborough, Richmond, Sheffield, Stockbridge, Tyringham, and West Stockbridge Cultural Councils; local agencies supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency; and a coalition of local businesses, families, and individuals.
About Shakespeare & Company
Located in the Berkshires of Western Massachusetts, Shakespeare & Company is one of the largest Shakespeare Festivals in the country. Founded in 1978, the organization attracts tens of thousands of patrons annually. The Company is also home to an internationally renowned Center for Actor Training, as well a nationally renowned and award-winning Education Program. More information is available at www.shakespeare.org.
