The University of Pittsburgh’s Shakespeare-in-the-Schools Program Presents Shakespeare’s Lovers and Fighters Oct. 14-24

PITTSBURGH—The University of Pittsburgh’s Shakespeare-in-the-Schools program offers an anthology described as “a perfect introduction to the Bard” with Shakespeare’s Lovers and Fighters, which will run at 8 p.m. Oct. 14-24 in Pitt’s Henry Heymann Theatre in the Stephen Foster Memorial, 4301 Forbes Ave., Oakland. Matinees are scheduled for 2 p.m. Oct. 16 and 24. There is no Monday performance. 

Adapted by Pitt theater arts graduate student Chip Crane and directed by Pitt teaching artist Sam Turich, this 45-minute production features 10 of Shakespeare’s best-known romantic and sparring scenes, including excerpts from Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet, Macbeth, Julius Caesar, and A Midsummer Night's Dream. 

Against a backdrop of live original music by Sam McUmber, actors Theo Allyn, Ken Bolden, and Chris Cattell will assume multiple roles. 

Each performance will be followed by a talk-back session with the actors. Tickets are $12 general admission and $8 for students and may be purchased by calling 412-624-PLAY (7529), visiting www.play.pitt.edu, or stopping by the Stephen Foster box office between noon and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. 

Shakespeare’s Lovers and Fighters is available for school booking throughout the 2010-11 academic year. Schools interested in scheduling a performance should call 412-624-3459. 

Part of Pitt’s Department of Theatre Arts, the Shakespeare-in-the-Schools program works to engage students and teachers with the writings of Shakespeare and other classical authors through touring shows, field-trip matinees, K-12 artist residencies, teacher workshops, talk-back sessions, and study guides. For more information, visit www.shakespeare.pitt.edu. 

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10/13/10/tmw/lks/jdh