Telegram - Serving Metropolitan Detroit Since 1944

DETROIT, July 25, 2023 –The trailblazing Shakespeare in Detroit, a local non-profit organization bringing open-air plays to the city, today announced it will debut a Techno music-inspired version of William Shakespeare's The Tempest in downtown Detroit this August 11, 12, 13, 18, 19 & 20. The shows will begin at 7:30 p.m. and will be held in Campus Martius Park. The event offers free admission for all, thanks to the Gilbert Family Foundation, who is leading the efforts to bring this experience to the community.

The professional theater company's founder, Sam White, whose work can also be seen at the Stratford Festival in Ontario, Canada, this season (Wedding Band), will direct the mainstage production. This is a particularly salient milestone, as it has been 10 years since the organization pioneered Shakespeare in the park within Detroit's city limits.

The Shakespeare in Detroit production of The Tempest is set in the late 80s/early 90s-era told through the lens of a Detroit DJ and harkens back to programs like the iconic The New Dance Show. The production will feature a live DJ, Actors Equity Association actors, local artists, and a dance contest during the intermission.

Shakespeare in Detroit will also showcase its youth actors in a traditional version of Macbeth for the first two afternoons of the run, August 11 & 12 at 2 p.m., which will mark the teens' completion of the organization's youth program supported by the Max M. and Marjorie S. Fisher Foundation. The program teaches both vocational and artistic skills and provides $1,000 scholarships each for participants.

"During a conversation with Eric Larson from the Downtown Detroit Partnership, he truly embraced my vision and backed the idea of using 2023 as a springboard for bigger things to come," said White. "Our exchange about launching a full summer festival with Shakespeare in Detroit left me invigorated and confident in our future, especially when it comes to our youth and professional programs."

"Downtown Detroit's public spaces, including Campus Martius Park, are recognized locally and nationally for being active, world class destinations, offering more than 2,000 free, annual events produced and presented by the Downtown Detroit Partnership, many alongside wonderful partners," said Eric B. Larson, CEO, Downtown Detroit Partnership. "We take great pride in providing a diversity of programs, such as those delivered by Shakespeare in Detroit. They range from music and arts to food and family fun, and signature events, such as the annual Detroit Tree Lighting, for everyone to enjoy, while also promoting, advocating, and energizing Downtown Detroit. We are proud to continue our mission of connecting people, places, and parks."

"Businesses may bring people to Detroit, but the arts will make them stay," White continues. "And we are so grateful for our incredible partner, the Gilbert Family Foundation. Alongside their support for the festival at Campus Martius, they have also enabled us to organize three complimentary community pop-ups preceding the event, in collaboration with the City of Detroit and Healthy Kidz Inc."

"At the Gilbert Family Foundation, we believe that arts and access to cultural events are essential for community well-being," said Jasmin DeForrest, Director of Arts and Culture, Gilbert Family Foundation. "They have the remarkable ability to inspire, heal and bridge divides, creating spaces where all voices can be heard and celebrated. By supporting programming like Shakespeare in Detroit, we aim to foster creativity and dialogue among Detroiters while strengthening the bonds that bring us all together."

This year's program will include a series of readings from the organization's Black Classical Reading Project, sponsored by the Michigan Humanities Council. These readings will take place at the Marygrove Conservancy from 6-9:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 29, and Sunday, July 30. This event is free and open to the public.

Macbeth, a rendition by Migdalia Cruz for Play on Shakespeare, will be performed on August 11 and 12, 2023, at 2 p.m., under the direction of Emilio Rodriguez. Play On Shakespeare is a non-profit organization dedicated to the promotion and development of contemporary and modern translations of Shakespeare's works.

For more information on this summer's events, visit Shakespeareindetroit.com.

Additional support is provided by the Downtown Detroit Partnership, Strategic Staffing Solutions and Greektown Casino.