Drake University faculty, staff and students are participating in a local production of William Shakespeare’s “As You Like It.” Performances will run from Thursday, July 21, through Sunday, July 24.
The production, presented in conjunction with the Repertory Theater of Iowa, will be staged nightly at 7:30 p.m. on the south lawn of Salisbury House and Gardens, 4025 Tonawanda Dr., Des Moines.
This is the eighth play presented by the Salisbury House as part of its annual Shakespeare on the Lawn outdoor theater series.
“Having Drake represented to the community in productions such as this is a great complement to the learning experiences we have on campus, and it exposes Drake talents to a wider audience” said Karla Kash, assistant professor of theatre and head of Drake’s musical theatre program. Kash serves as director and choreographer of the production.
Other individuals representing Drake as part of the play’s cast and crew are:
* Danielle Dolezal, a junior directing major from Iowa City, Iowa
* Tim Flynn, of McLean, Vir.; a graduate student at Drake and administrative assistant for the University’s Alumni and Development Center
* Makha Mthembu, a 2011 graduate from Johannseburg, South Africa
* Forrest Williams, a senior directing major from Ames, Iowa
“The rafters of Salisbury’s Great Hall were brought here from the White Hart Inn in London, England where Shakespeare and his troupes were said to have presented spontaneous performances back in the 16th century,” says Mark Heppner, executive director of Salisbury House and Gardens. “With its rich history, there is not a more befitting setting in the Midwest for an authentic Shakespearean experience.”
Tickets, which may be purchased online, cost $20 for adults, $28 for Salisbury House members and $5 for students. Children under 12 are admitted free of charge.
To order a picnic basket through Gateway Market, contact catering@gatewaymarket.com. The baskets will await guests upon their arrival.
For more information, contact Kash at 515-271-2897 or karla.kash@drake.edu.