Shakespearean festival kicks off at BYU-Idaho
- posted: 10 July 2007
- scrollarts@byui.edu
Medieval literature and Shakespearean theatre are among the most celebrated categories of literature. In many ways, different artists find their own way to celebrate these pieces. With worldrenowned stories and plays like Beowulf, Taming of the Shrew and the Canterbury Tales, actors and storytellers often perform them for renaissance festivals because of their popularity. Here at BYU-Idaho, the Theatre Department has decided to do their own type of renaissance festival.
“There are a total of twenty students performing in the festival. And a lot of the performances are things you don’t get to see very often,” said Omar Hansen of the Theatre Department.
Other than Hansen, almost the entire production is done by students. The festival will consist of a dinner at 6 p.m., followed by the performance at 7 p.m. Hansen also hopes to have skits and music performances during the dinner portion of the festival.
The skits and music pieces will be performed by the same students who are performing skits and monologues later that night.
“Everyone performing is working hard to perfect their pieces.” said Elizabeth Davenport, a sophomore from Puyallup, Wash., and a student leader of the production.
All attending are invited to wear medieval or renaissance clothing, if they so desire. Both Hansen and Davenport are hoping for a good turnout and expressed excitement for the performance.
The amount of tickets, however, is limited to about 50. This is because the performance will take place in the actors’ studio instead of a theatre.
“The actors’ studio was the only place intimate enough for the performances,” Hansen said. Although tickets are limited it “will be a lot of fun,” Hansen said.
The Bard’s Midsummer Night Festival will take place on Friday, July 13. Tickets are now on sell for $5 at the ticket office. 
