Flatwater FREE Shakespeare FAQs

 

Flatwater FREE Shakespeare

Summer Tour 2022 – Much Ado About Nothing

Got questions? We have answers.

What Is Your Inclement Weather Policy?

It is our desire to complete every performance, and we will make every effort to start, continue, and finish each show despite light rainfall or breezy conditions. 

In the event of heavier rains or winds, however, we may delay the start of the show, or the completion of the show, in the hope that the weather will clear. Announcements will be made informing audience members of "holds." We may also pause to take precautions to ensure the safety and health of the performers and crew.

If severe storms are likely or imminent, shows may be moved to an indoor location or, if necessary, cancelled. To find out if a show has been moved or cancelled prior to showtime, please check our website -- www.flatwatershakespearecompany.org --and Facebook or Instagram accounts; you can also call our Information Line at 402-413-1586. 

Do I Need a Reservation?

No reservations are needed. However, audience members are strongly encouraged to arrive 30 minutes before the performance to ensure a good place. This is particularly true if you plan on using a blanket, as space is limited.

Is There a Cost to Attend?

 No! Flatwater Shakespeare Company offers the summer touring production FREE of charge. A $10 donation is suggested, but everyone is welcome whether you can make a contribution or not. For some alternate locations due to weather, there may be parking costs.

 

How Long is the Show?

The show runs 75 minutes, with no intermission. All performances begin at 7:00 p.m.

Is the Show “Family Friendly?”

Yes! Our summer production is family friendly as the informal park setting is perfect for children as well as adults to have a taste of the Bard’s wonderful characters, exciting action, and brilliant language. Past audiences have included everyone from babies to people in their 80s, people from all walks of life, and even some pets.

 

You Mean Pets Are Sometimes Allowed?

Furry family members are welcome to attend any of the park performances with you! We request that pets be kept on a leash. Owners must clean up after their pets.

Are Bathrooms Available?

Yes! Modern bathroom facilities are available at the performances at Wyuka. Some park locations have bathroom facilities. Other locations will have port-a-potties available.

Do I Need to Bring My Own Chair or Blanket?

Chairs are provided at the performances held at Wyuka Cemetery. Audience members should bring their own chairs and blankets for the performances at the park locations and at James Arthur Vineyards.

May I Bring Food and Beverages?

Yes! At the park locations audience members are welcome to bring in snacks, even a picnic supper, for you and your family. We merely ask that all trash items are disposed of after the show so that we leave the parks in good condition.

Please note that alcoholic beverages cannot be brought to any of the locations. However, James Arthur Vineyards will have wine available for purchase at the performance held at their facility, as well as soft drinks and water.

What Are the Remaining Locations?

• Wednesday, June 8 – The Stables at Wyuka Cemetery, 3600 O Street. *Chairs provided at this location and Admission is charged. 

• Thursday, June 9 – Trago Park, N. 22^nd and U Streets.

• Friday, June 10 – Cooper Park, 8th and D Streets.

• Saturday, June 11 – Havelock Park, 64^th and Ballard.

• Sunday, June 12 – James Arthur Vineyards, 2001 W. Raymond Rd., Raymond.

Opening Tonight!

 Flatwater Shakespeare Company presents . . .

William Shakespeare's

"In time the savage bull doth bear the yoke."

— Don Pedro, Act 1 Scene 1

Much Ado About Nothing is a comedy written by William Shakespeare that tells a humorous tale of true love and deception:

In fair Messina, do we lay our scene. With the end of the war, the menfolk in Messina turn their attention to the ladies. With the help of Don Pedro, young Claudio gets engaged to the lovely Hero. With the help of almost everyone, the famously witty and wrangling Benedick and Beatrice are tricked into believing that each is hopelessly in love with the other. Don John, Pedro's brother, undermines the developing happiness by convincing Claudio that Hero has been unfaithful to him –
even on the night before their wedding – and Claudio rejects Hero at the altar. Will Benedick challenge his friend Claudio in order to prove his love for Beatrice? Can Hero and Claudio be reconciled? And how can the local police, led by the wordstruck Dogberry, help in matters of the heart? Let wonder seem familiar as Shakespeare uses masks, music, disguise, and deception to lead us first to sorrow and then to joy.

Join us for a fun night out at The Swan Theatre at Wyuka Stables and/or at a local park! The dates, times, and locations for the Much Ado About Nothing production are below.

 

The Swan Theatre at Wyuka Stables (3600 O Street, Lincoln, NE 68503)

Thursday, June 2, 2022 | 7 p.m. CST

Friday, June 3, 2022 | 7 p.m. CST

Sunday, June 5, 2022 | 7 p.m. CST

Wednesday, June 8, 2022 | 7 p.m. CST 

 

Trago Park (N 22nd St. & U St, Lincoln, NE 68503)

Thursday, June 9, 2022 | 7 p.m. CST 

 

Cooper Park (S 6th Street & D Street, Lincoln, NE 68508)

Friday, June 10, 2022 | 7 p.m. CST 

 

Havelock Park (N. 64th Street & Ballard Ave, Lincoln, NE 68507)

Saturday, June 11, 2022 | 7 p.m. CST 

 

James Arthur Vineyards (2001 W. Raymond Rd, Raymond, NE 68428)

Sunday, June 12, 2022 | 7 p.m. CST 

 

Get your tickets for Much Ado About Nothing today!

https://flatwatershakespearecompany.org/community-events/plays/tickets-merchandise.html

Please join us in welcoming our new Operations Manager, Krisayla (Kris) Rasmussen!

Kris is originally from Norfolk, Nebraska where she earned her high school diploma and an associate degree in business administration from Norfolk Senior High School and Northeast Community College, respectively. She moved to Lincoln, Nebraska in August of 2017 to continue her education and earned her bachelor’s degree in marketing from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln (UNL) in May 2019. Upon graduating from UNL, she worked for a local marketing agency for about a year and eventually realized that she deeply missed being in a higher education environment. This realization prompted her to resign from the marketing agency and begin working as an administrative assistant for the UNL Department of Agronomy and Horticulture in December 2019. As someone who greatly values education, Kris jumped at the opportunity to pursue a master’s degree using the UNL Employee Scholarship benefit (which waives tuition for full-time UNL employees). Thanks to this generous financial support, she will be graduating from the University of Nebraska–Omaha in May of 2022 with her Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree completely debt-free! Although Kris loved her time at UNL, she eventually decided that she wanted to pursue a strategic role that would give her more targeted and extensive experience in project management while still remaining in the higher education industry. Thus, in October of 2021, she resigned from UNL and began working in the President’s Office of Southeast Community College as a Project Coordinator where she has been working to this day.

Kris is very passionate about the arts; in her free time, she loves to indulge in activities such as reading, listening to music, watching films and plays, photography, and flexing her creative writing muscles by writing poetry and short stories. Like most people, she was first introduced to classic literary works from Shakespeare in her high school classes. But rather than focusing solely on getting a good grade in the course like most of her peers, Kris found herself mesmerized and captivated by Shakespeare’s storytelling methods, including his masterful incorporation of universal themes, memorable words and quotes, and enduring characterization. With unwavering support from her long-term boyfriend, John, and her cat, Dexter, Kris is excited to use her extensive business expertise to help Flatwater Shakespeare Company successfully execute its programming and events and increase appreciation and awareness of Shakespearean literature in the Lincoln community and beyond. She will be helping the company coordinate its budgetary activities, including identifying and applying for grants. She will also serve as the “face” of the company, meaning she will answer most inquiries and that you will likely spot her sporting her “Where there’s a Will, there’s a play” Shakespeare shirt when selling tickets and concessions at the box office.

 

Additional 2022 Auditions Info!

 

It is with an abundance of joy and excitement that we invite you to audition for our 2022 season, including Much Ado About Nothing directed by Sarah Klocke and Julius Caesar directed by Marshall Carby.

WHEN/WHERE: April 5th &11th at 7:00-10:00pm at Wyuka Stables (3600 O Street, Lincoln, NE)

WHAT: Please prepare a 60-90 second Shakespeare or classical monologue. Sides for cold reads will be assigned on-site. Head shots, other photos, and/or resumes are encouraged but not required.

MUCH ADO DETAILS

Time Commitment: 7 weeks

Wyuka Performance Dates: June 2, 3, 5, & 8 @ 7:00 (no show June 4th)

Parks Tour: June 9-12th @7:00

Compensation: $100 stipend per performance weekend

JULIUS CAESAR DETAILS

Time Commitment: 7 weeks

Wyuka Performance Dates: August 25-28, September 1-4 & 8-11 @ 7:00

Compensation: $100 stipend per performance weekend

Directors’ Note on Casting:

All are welcome! Shakespeare leaves room for exploration of the text and new interpretations. Please feel free to audition for, and express interest in, the part that most appeals to you regardless of sex, gender, race, ethnicity, age, ability, and the list of wondrous variety goes on.

For more information and to learn how to reserve a time slot, click here: https://flatwatershakespearecompany.org/get-involved/auditions.html

We can’t wait to see your work!

FSC Auditions April 5 and April 11

We’re holding Season 2022 auditions!

Mark your calendars for Tuesday, April 5th @ 7:00 PM and Monday, April 11th @ 7:00 PM at the Wyuka Stables. More details will be forthcoming -- role breakdowns, directors, specific dates, and compensation -- so keep your eyes affixed to our social media spaces and your inboxes.

Until then, set to work on a spiffying up your best 60-90 second Shakespeare or classical monologue. Sides will also be available for cold readings. 

PRODUCTION DATES FOR MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING: June 2, 3, 5, & 8 @ Wyuka Stables and June 9, 10, 11, & 12 at local Lincoln parks.

PRODUCTION DATES FOR JULIUS CAESAR:  August 25, 26, 27 and September 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 9, 10, & 11 @ Wyuka Stables.

Stay tuned for more information!

2021 and Facing Adversity

 

From Board Chair Kelly Stage

“Sweet are the uses of adversity / Which, like the toad, ugly and venomous, /  Wears yet a precious jewel in his head.”        As You Like It, 2.1.12-14

The past year has been rife with adversity. 2021 has required patience, creativity, flexibility, empathy, kindness, and generosity, seemingly in endless supply. Everyone involved with Flatwater Shakespeare Company, from our stellar leadership to our newest cast members, has demonstrated these qualities over and again. But, the response to that adversity has indeed been sweet: in June Twelfth Night, a year in the making, finally marked Flatwater Shakespeare’s return to live, in-person performances. Despite some trials and tribulations—and a few severe thunderstorms—the show was a triumph. 

We were also overjoyed to see Little But Fierce return, in person, this past summer as we continued to provide free and fun educational programming to Lincoln kids. The pandemic has made many things difficult, but it also encouraged experimentation and innovation in response. New works, new talents, and new ideas emerged as Flatwater conquered challenges with creativity. In September, we premiered a fun, engaging, and thoughtful festival of one-act plays, Unshaken, and an uproarious and inventive two-person A Midsummer Night’s Dream. These exciting new works and new ways of presenting Shakespeare were also important opportunities for Flatwater to grow and to reach new audiences. We are especially thankful for our partnerships with The Mill and The Indian Center, which provided the venues for these shows. 

In addition, the artistic and education team behind A Midsummer Night’s Dream prioritized outreach, and wowed hundreds of students at Blue Hill Community School, Harvard Elementary School, Sutton Elementary School, and the Malone Community Center. We are extremely proud of everything that Flatwater Shakespeare Company has accomplished in this year of adversity. We would not have had these bright moments in the past year without the continued support of our donors— individuals, foundations, and corporate entities alike. 2022 will bring more challenges as well as new leadership for our company, but we will continue Flatwater Shakespeare’s essential mission to provide quality education, entertainment, and outreach to the Lincoln community and beyond. There is still much uncertainty in our world, but we find our mission more important and inspiring than ever. We cannot wait to see what 2022 will bring.

Sir Pat as Ophelia? Sir Ian as Cordelia?

Sir Pat on finding roles, the challenges of performance, kinship with Sir Ian, and a possible Lear.

https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2022/mar/02/patrick-stewart-interview-star-trek-picard