A MIDSUMMER
NIGHT’S DREAM

THE PLAY

On the occasion of the Illinois Bicentennial, Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks will expand its summer tour with FREE SHAKESPEARE at Glen Oak Park in Peoria, Illinois. Duplicating its successful community engagement efforts piloted in Chicago over the first seven seasons of the program, the Theater makes its first foray beyond city limits to work in partnership with Peoria residents and community organizations, reaching new audiences from neighborhoods across the down-state region.

Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks heads out to neighborhood parks across the north, west, and south sides of Chicago—and now downstate to Peoria—with a 75-minute abridged production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. At each location, a specially equipped truck rolls into the park, a stage unfolds, and a company of professional actors shares Shakespeare’s magical comedy with families and neighbors of all ages.

Staged by Chicago Shakespeare Artistic Director Barbara Gaines, A Midsummer Night’s Dream tells the beloved story of an evening in the park, where mischief ensues when the Fairy Court discovers four young lovers and an amateur theater troupe rehearsing nearby.

The Bicentennial Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks Tour is made possible by a civic, cultural, and corporate partnership between Chicago Shakespeare Theater, the City of Peoria, Peoria Park District, Boeing, BMO Harris Bank, and a consortium of generous benefactors led by Peoria-based RLI. Since the inception of the Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks program seven years ago, more than 130,000 audience members have taken advantage of free performances in their communities.

2018 Illinois Bicentennial Tour to Peoria Supported By:
Jim and Mimi Ardis, Thomas L. and Cairy S. Brown, Rich and Jill Caffarelli, CGN, Commerce Bank, Pete Coyle, Laura and Alan Cullinan, Mike Cullinan, David Vaughan Investments, LLC, Ernst & Young, LLP, Bon French, Hilltop Wealth Management of Raymond James, Mike Landwirth, John Michael, PNC Bank, PwC, Andrew Rand, RLI, RSM US LLP, Sid Ruckriegel, Jay Vonachen, Matt and Lesley Vonachen, Chuck and Laurie Weaver, Bob White

WATCH & LISTEN

 

Video: Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks spotlights local artists

Gallery: Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks 2018

 

Video: “I want them to leave laughing”

 

Video: Shakespeare for all in Chicago

 

Video: Working side by side with neighborhood teens

Gallery: The impact of Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks

 

Video: Alderman Sawyer on Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks