Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey to Present SHORT SHAKESPEARE, Begin. 3/7

The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey's acclaimed touring company will present Short Shakespeare-colorful and dynamic performances of William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream and Macbeth on March 7 and April 18 at the F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre, 36 Madison Avenue, at Lancaster Road in Madison. An engaging post-play discussion with the company of actors will follow each one-hour family performance. Tickets are $16. For tickets, call 973-408-5600 or visit www.ShakespeareNJ.org.

Since 1997, the touring company has presented more than 1,600 performances to more than a half a million young people at more than 800 schools and other venues throughout the Mid-Atlantic region, Connecticut, and Maine. The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey's tour is part of Shakespeare for a New Generation, a national program of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest.

A one-hour family performance of Shakespeare's popular comedy A Midsummer Night's Dream will be held on Saturday, March 7 at the F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre. Follow the hilarious mishaps of four young lovers and a band of misfit rustics as they journey into the magical forest outside Athens in this fancily new production inspired by the art of Maxfield Parrish. A thrilling first Shakespeare for youngsters, and a riotous rollercoaster ride for those already familiar with the Bard, A Midsummer Night's Dream is recommended for ages six and up.

A one-hour family performance of Shakespeare's Macbeth will follow on Saturday, March 7 at the F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre. When three mysterious figures prophesy that Macbeth will be crowned king of Scotland, the noble warrior and his wife quickly begin a bloody rise to power. Part cautionary tale, part magical horror story, Macbeth remains one of Shakespeare's most compelling plays. This new production, set in a post-apocalyptic landscape, is recommended for ages 10 and up.

The March performances are part of The Stages Festival, a month-long, state-wide celebration of theatre and the performing arts. The Stages Festival, a project of the New Jersey Theatre Alliance, offers discounted and free tickets to performances, workshops, and events statewide suitable for all age groups. To celebrate The Stages Festival, tickets for the March 8th performances are $16 for adults and include one free ticket for a child under age 18 with each ticket purchased. Purchase tickets through the Box Office by phone at 973-408-5600 or online at ShakespeareNJ.org.

In conjunction with the 2015 Stages Festival, the Theatre invites students and parents to a day of exciting workshops, free of charge, on Saturday, March 14 in Florham Park. The schedule includes the Create Your Own Fairy Kingdom workshop (ages eight and up) and Swashbuckling 101, an introduction to swordplay and stage combat for students ages 13 and up and their parents. Participants can also tour the company's "Theatre Factory," the unique, refurbished valve factory that now houses the Theatre's administrative, production, and education facilities. Space is limited; pre-register by calling 973-408-5600.

On Saturday, April 18, audiences will have a second chance to see the Short Shakespeare performances. The company will present A Midsummer Night's Dream at 11:30 a.m. and Macbeth at 2 p.m. All tickets are $16 and available at the Box Office at 973-408-5600 or online at ShakespeareNJ.org.

The National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest presents Shakespeare for a New Generation. The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey is one of over 40 professional theater companies selected to participate in Shakespeare for a New Generation, bringing the finest productions of Shakespeare to thousands of middle- and high-school students in communities across the United States. This is the eleventh year of the Theatre's inclusion in the Shakespeare for a New Generation program, the largest tour of Shakespeare in American history. Additional funding for the touring company is provided by The Investors Foundation, Johnson & Johnson, The Provident Bank Foundation, and the Turrell Fund.

This year, the touring company celebrates its 19th season and will travel to schools and other venues throughout the state and wider region with 60 to 75-minute versions of two of Shakespeare's most popular plays. To inquire about bringing Shakespeare LIVE! to your school or venue, call 973-845-6742 or e-mail aromero@shakespearenj.org.

The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey's 2015 Main Stage season begins in late May and continues through December. The ambitious line-up is a mix of classic treasures and exceptional new work inspired by historic events and historic figures, featuring works by Shakespeare, George Bernard Shaw, George S. Kaufman & Edna Ferber, and Ferenc Molnár as well as an award-winning adaptation of The Diary of Anne Frank and a contemporary work from playwright Bill Cain. For its annual Outdoor Stage production at the Greek amphitheater at the College of St. Elizabeth in Morris Township, The Shakespeare Theatre will present Shakespeare's comedy Love's Labour's Lost.

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