Austin Shakespeare's Teen Company Presents A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM, Now thru 6/28

For its 7th season, Young Shakespeare, Austin Shakespeare's teen company, will transform Richard Garriott de Cayeux's outdoor Curtain Theatre (7400 Coldwater Canyon Drive) into a magical forest for their production of the romantic comedy, A Midsummer Night's Dream. Featuring auditioned young actors performing Shakespeare's most beautiful poetry, "Midsummer" will run Thursdays through Sundays at 8 pm, tonight, June 18 - 28.

A Midsummer Night's Dream is the classic story of four young lovers who flee the adult world to a forest where they are enchanted by the King and Queen of the Fairies, and his henchman, Puck! A group of comic workmen are also beset by fairies in this fantastical world.

Participating students, ranging in age from 12-17 years come from throughout the Central Texas area, including Round Rock, Leander, Cedar Park, Oak Hill, Central Austin and Westlake, among other places. "During the 8 weeks of rehearsal and performance, these young people transform in their approach to Shakespeare and acting -- and in the teamwork that comes to life. Audiences will feel their enthusiasm as an ensemble," says Ann Ciccolella, Artistic Director of Austin Shakespeare.

The Young Shakespeare program features a professional rehearsal process directed by Ann Ciccolella and teacher/actor Nancy Eyermann. Returning Young Shakespeare actors include Jack Frey, Gabrielle Lewis, Alley Koenig and Jacy Murphy, joined by newcomers Sasha Ashton, Patrick Bell, Hannah Edwards, Reagan Komendera, Hallie Jane Richeson, Hannah Rutt, Isabel Salas, Sam Tumlinson, Cal Ussery and Anastacia Weiss.

On the creative team are: Directors - Ann Ciccolella & Nancy Eyermann; Production Manager - Nicole Shiro; Scenic Designers - Patrick Anthony & Leslie Turner; Lighting Designer - Patrick Anthony; Costume Designer - Talena Martinez; Props Designer - Lacie Hexom; Fight Choreographer - Kevin Squires; Choreographer - Mark Sharon; and Stage Manager - Kat Carson.

The show runs tonight, June 18 - June 28, 2015 (Thursdays - Sundays at 8 pm) at Richard Garriott's Curtain Theater, a replica of an Elizabethan Theater, off City Park Rd, (near FM2222/Loop360), 7400 Coldwater Canyon Drive. Tickets are available online at www.eventbrite.com (Search for Young Shakespeare) or www.tinyurl.com/YoungShakesMND or by calling (512) 470-4505. Earlybird special through June 11.

ABOUT AUSTIN SHAKESPEARE: Founded in 1984 and the only professional classical theater company in Central Texas, Austin Shakespeare presents professional theatre of the highest quality with an emphasis on the plays of William Shakespeare, bringing to the public performances that are fresh, bold, imaginative, thought-provoking, and eminently accessible, connecting the truths of the past with the challenges and possibilities of today. Continuing its 31 years of free Shakespeare at Austin's Zilker Hillside Theatre, Austin Shakespeare also annually produces shows at The Long Center for the Performing Arts Rollins Studio Theatre as a new Resident Company. Additional programs include the weekly "Shakespeare Aloud" reading group, and Shakespeare Midsummer Night's Dream Summer Camp at St Michael's Academy June 24-28, 2013 . Austin Shakespeare's education program 20/20 sends professional actors into the schools to encourage love of language. Austin Shakespeare is a proud member of the Austin Creative Alliance. For more, visit www.austinshakespeare.org or follow on Twitter @austinshakes or Facebook at www.facebook.com/austinshakespeare.

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