Montana Shakespeare in the Parks will bring free theatrical performances to 64 communities across Montana, Idaho, North Dakota, Washington and Wyoming starting in June, according to an April 8 announcement from Montana State University.
The program aims to provide access to quality theater for audiences who may not otherwise have such opportunities. As part of an outreach initiative within Montana State University’s College of Arts and Architecture, the traveling troupe constructs its own sets at each stop, allowing residents of rural areas to experience live productions.
This year’s season begins with William Shakespeare’s “The Merchant of Venice” performed June 10-13 at MSU’s Duck Pond in Bozeman. “Much Ado About Nothing” follows on June 17-20. The tour concludes September 8 with a final performance at Grant Chamberlain Park on the MSU campus. The full schedule is available on the company’s website.
Tom Watson, resident scenic designer and film professor at MSU, said he still feels excitement after nearly three decades working with the group. “There’s this sort of rush of excitement and pride, I suppose. And that never goes away,” Watson said.
Kevin Asselin, executive artistic director for Montana Shakespeare in the Parks (MSIP), said community support has been vital over its history: “Our audiences are excited about Shakespeare in the Parks, and they have been instrumental in helping sustain us for 54 years. The company belongs to them.” Asselin also noted that this year’s plays explore themes such as justice and mercy through contrasting storylines.
Gabbay Madu—who stars as Beatrice in “Much Ado About Nothing”—said that MSIP continually reinvents how it presents classic works while remaining faithful to their original intent: “It’s the essence of what I think theater is and should be,” Madu said.
Montana State University operates as Montana’s land-grant university focused on research, education and community outreach according to its official website. The university leads research funding efforts statewide with annual expenditures exceeding $288 million according to its official website and ranks among the top five percent of global universities per rankings from the Center for World University Rankings according to its official website. With approximately 17,165 students enrolled—half residents and half nonresidents—the institution contributes broadly through volunteer work as well as environmental initiatives according to its official website.
As one of America’s oldest outdoor touring Shakespeare companies now entering its fifty-fourth year, MSIP continues serving both local communities and visitors throughout a broad region according to its official website.