Notre Dame Shakespeare Festival’s Young Company to perform at Fernwood

Published 9:23 am Wednesday, July 6, 2016

NOTRE DAME, Ind. — The Notre Dame Shakespeare Festival’s 2016 Young Company will perform William Shakespeare’s “Pericles” at outdoor venues throughout Michiana July 17 to Aug. 22.

“‘Pericles’ is a lesson in heroic faith: faith in friendship, honor, love, and God. That faith is rewarded at the end of this journey and is the central theme of this beautiful play,” said director Cameron Knight.

Full of music, magic, swordfights, and pirates, the Young Company’s 80-minute production of “Pericles” brings the high stakes of the high seas to green spaces across northern Indiana and southwest Michigan. Both fugitive and castaway, young Prince Pericles sets sail to reclaim his family, his kingdom, and the favor of the gods.

Not only an epic adventure, Pericles is a powerful commentary on our current refugee crisis. According to Kate Pitt from our partner, the Folger Shakespeare Library, “Pericles dramatizes the courage and heartbreak of refugees from ancient times to today’s crisis in Europe. The title character flees for his life and travels through cities in Turkey, Libya, and Greece in search of a home for himself and his family.”

All are invited to join the Young Company in its signature joyful, ensemble style under the open sky. Outdoor performances are free, so bring the whole family, pack chairs and a picnic, and experience this fresh twist on Shakespeare’s Pericles, Prince of Tyre.

Call (574) 631-3777 or visit shakespeare.nd.edu to learn more about The Young Company and other exciting programs brought to you by Shakespeare at Notre Dame.

The Young Company is a direct outgrowth of the Notre Dame Shakespeare Festival’s mission to provide exceptional and unparalleled educational opportunities in a theatrical setting to gifted students from the University of Notre Dame, Saint Mary’s College, and universities throughout the Midwest. Students receive training in the practical arts of theatrical production which include voice and speech, stage combat, production management and set and costume construction. Young Company members have graduated from the program to enjoy careers in acting, design, and production all over the country.

 

Performance schedule

• Sunday, July 17 at 6:30 p.m. — Taltree Arboretum and Gardens, Valparaiso, Indiana

• Friday, July 22 at 7 p.m. — Beutter Park, Mishawaka, Indiana

• Saturday, July 23 at 7:30 p.m. — Dekalb County Outdoor Theater, Auburn, Indiana

• Friday, July 29 at 7 p.m. — Fernwood Botanical Garden and Nature Preserve, Niles

• Saturday, July 30 at 7 p.m. — Chris Wilson Pavilion in Potawatomi Park, South Bend

• Sunday, July 31 at 7 p.m. — River Park Square, Plymouth, Indiana

• Friday, Aug. 5 at 6:30 p.m. — Krasl Art Center, St. Joseph

• Saturday, Aug. 6 at 6:30 p.m. — Dewey Cannon Park, Three Oaks, Michigan

• Sunday, Aug. 7 at 6:30 p.m. — Wellfield Botanic Gardens, Elkhart, Indiana

• Monday, Aug. 22 at 6:30 p.m. — Main Building Quad, University of Notre Dame