Short Shakespeare
by Austin Shakespeare
May. 18 - May. 21, 2023
Thursday-Sunday
The four Shakespeare plays include 20-minute versions of: A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Tempest, Twelfth Night, and Hamlet. Gwendolyn Kelso will direct all four comedies.
Austin Shakespeare Artistic Director Ann Cicccolella said Short Shakespeare will offer something for everyone. “If you’ve never seen Shakespeare, these four abbreviated plays with their comedic spirit will be a great introduction,” she said. “And those who love The Bard will have a wonderful time with these talented actors and the creative interpretations.”
Five actors will portray all the characters in all four plays. Isaac Howell has performed with Austin Shakespeare in the last year in both Tom Stoppard’s The Real Thing and Jane Austen’s Sense & Sensibility. Wallis Brown and Schaeffer Certenberg are both majoring in theatre at Texas State University. Born in Shakespeare’s birthplace, Stratford on Avon, Luke Ellis, who trained at the Rose Bruford College of Speech and Drama, London, is new to Austin. Also making her Austin Shakespeare debut is Isabelle Dickey who received a BFA in Acting from Ithaca College.
Designers include resident designer Patrick Anthony for sets and lighting, Kristin ___ for costumes, Tressa Gilmer for properties.
World’s Fastest Hamlet has been brought to area schools by Austin Shakespeare for many years. The other Shakespeare plays that will be presented were adapted by Emily Lyon and Hedgepig Ensemble Theatre, creators of expandthecanon.com: One-Twelfth Night, Tiny Tempest and Midsummer: Tedious & Brief.
Short Shakespeare
by William Shakespeare
Austin Shakespeare
May 18 - May 21, 2023
Short Shakespeare will be performed free at 8 p.m. on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, May 18-21 in Zilker Park.
Free of charge; donations accepted.
The audience is encouraged to bring blankets, low chairs, and a picnic to enjoy their evening on the grassy hillside. Some chairs are available. The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American with Disabilities Act. Zilker Hillside Theater is accessible to all audience members. Alcohol and glass containers are prohibited in all City of Austin parks.
