Cast, Dates Set for Shakespeare Royal Oak's 16th Annual Festival

Shakespeare Royal Oak announces the schedule and casts for its 16th annual outdoor summer theatre festival in Royal Oak's Starr Jaycee Park. The festival, presented by Water Works Theatre Company, begins July 25 and continues through Sunday, August 7.

Tickets ($12-$22) are on sale now online at www.shakespeareroyaloak.com for all performances.

Now in its 16th Season, Shakespeare Royal Oak has grown into the premier outdoor Shakespeare event in Michigan. This year, the festival will present Richard III as its featured evening show and12th Night as its daylight family show. The newly expanded Water Works Youth Ensemble - comprised of high school students - will also present three performances of The Tempest. "Our goal has always been to offer our audiences a unique entertainment experience as well as employ local artists and keep them in this community by providing jobs and opportunities to explore their craft," states Water Works Founder and Executive Director Ed Nahhat. "And through the years, our program has grown from one production to include a daylight family show and two expanding youth education programs."

Richard III
Shakespeare Royal Oak's featured evening production will bring one of Shakespeare's most villainous characters to Royal Oak in Richard III. Directed by Stephanie Buck and featuring Water Works veteran actor Michael Brian Ogden in the title role, this production will set the murderous, conniving, and power-hungry ways of Richard in the style of Game Of Thrones. Richard III will play at 8:00pm Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night and at 5:00pm on Sundays July 28 - August 7. Tickets ($22) are on sale now at www.shakespeareroyaloak.com.

12th Night
Shakespeare Royal Oak will present its eighth annual daylight family show July 30 - August 7,12th Night, directed by Nancy Kammer. Shakespeare's tale of mistaken identities, mistaken loves, and long lost twins will play out on the Starr Jaycee Park stage in contemporary style. Great for the whole family, 12th Night runs about 90 minutes, including an intermission. Performances are at2:00pm Saturday and Sunday July 30, 31, August 6, 7, and 7:00pm on Tuesday, August 2 and Wednesday, August 3. Tickets ($12) are on sale now at www.shakespeareroyaloak.com.

Shakespeare in the Park educational programs

For the 15th year, Shakespeare Royal Oak will offer performance minded students a chance to learn from experts and to perform on the outdoor stage in Starr Jaycee Park July 25 - August 7.

Water Works Youth Ensemble is the company's extraordinary high school-age outdoor experience. Last year, high school students auditioned for, performed, and produced a full-fledged production of Romeo and Juliet and this year the program has been expanded with more rehearsal time for an even more invigorating performance of The Tempest July 30, 31 at 11:00am andAugust 1 at 7:00pm. Tickets for The Tempest are pay what you will at the door.

The Water Works Youth Ensemble educational program will run July 18 - August 1 with evening rehearsals and programs July 18 - 21 and daytime programs July 25 - 29. Tuition is $300 per student. Auditions for principle roles in The Tempest have already occurred, but registration for non-speaking roles, tech, and stage management are available now online atwww.shakespeareroyaloak.com or by emailing education@waterworkstheatre.com.

KidsAct! is a one week educational experience held August 1-5 9am - 3pm for students entering grades 1-8. Water Works' professional staff will encourage students' natural confidence and inspire their creative expression. In an open park setting, students will discover the basics of Shakespeare, safe stage combat (including sword fighting), dance and improv. The week culminates in a free performance in Starr Jaycee Park on Saturday, August 6 at 11:00am. Tuition is $225 per student and registration is available now online at www.shakespeareroyaloak.com/education/ or by emailing education@waterworkstheatre.com.

Shakespeare Royal Oak Casting Information:

Richard III
Directed by Stephanie Buck

Michael Brian Ogden* - Richard
Sara Catheryn Wolf* - Anne
Deb Keller* - Margaret / Fight Choreographer
Jean Lyle Lepard* - Duchess
Caleb Alman - Clarence
Steven Blackwell - Buckingham
Adrian Diffey - Stanley
Tim Falk - Hastings
Erika Hoveland - Elizabeth
Jerry Jarvis - Ratcliffe
Nick LaGrassa - Dorset
Eric Niece - Blackenbury
Blair Mellow - Catesby
Alexander M. Sloane - Rivers
Sam Wright - Lovell
*Member of Actor's Equity Association

12th Night
Directed by Nancy Kammer

Maggie Beson - Viola
Barton Bund - Toby
Bryan Conroy - Captain
JM Ethridge - Maria
Jason Garza - Orsino
Joel Hunter - Sebastian
Dan Johnson - Feste
Hannah Kelley-Niece - Olivia
Dennis Kleinsmith - Malvolio
Chris Peterson - Antonio
Maxwell Sanders - Andrew Aguecheek

All performances take place in Starr Jaycee Park, 1301 West 13 Mile Road, Royal Oak MI 48073

Richard III
Tickets: $22
Thursday, July 28 @ 8:00pm
Friday, July 29 @ 8:00pm
Saturday, July 30 @ 8:00pm
Sunday, July 31 @ 5:00pm
Thursday, August 4 @ 8:00pm
Friday, August 5 @ 8:00pm
Saturday, August 6 @ 8:00pm
Sunday, August 7 @ 5:00pm

12th Night
Tickets: $12
Saturday, July 30 @ 2:00pm
Sunday, July 31 @ 2:00pm
Tuesday, August 2 @ 7:00pm
Wednesday, August 3 @ 7:00pm
Saturday, August 6 @ 2:00pm
Sunday, August 7 @ 2:00pm

Tempest
Tickets: Pay What You Will
Saturday, July 30 @ 11:00am
Sunday, July 31 @ 11:00am
Monday, August 1 @ 7:00pm

Since 2001 Water Works Theatre Company has presented Shakespeare Royal Oak and other award-winning productions. Water Works enhances the quality of life in the community by offering Michigan's only outdoor professional Shakespeare event in Royal Oak's Starr Jaycee Park. Water Works' mission is to provide a place to call home for local professional actors, designers, directors, teachers, and other artists in a dynamic collaboration with skilled professional volunteers and other community supporters. Learn more at: www.waterworkstheatre.com.

Pictured: Michael Brian Ogden appears as Richard in Shakespeare Royal Oak's production of Richard III playing Starr Jaycee Park July 28 - August 7. Photo: Don Schulte Photography.

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