Aurora Public Library plans Shakespeare Mini Fest Sept. 7
On Wednesday, Sept. 7, Aurora Public Library will play host to its first ever Shakespeare Mini Fest at the Richard and Gina Santori Public Library of Aurora. To celebrate the 400th year since the Bard's passing, the library will present this fun-filled evening from 6 to 8:30 p.m. in the library's Room 126, 101 S. River St.
If you have always wanted to know more about Shakespeare but were bored by the way his work was presented in school, or if you thought he was only for academics, then this Mini Fest is for you. If you would like to give your children an entertaining introduction to the greatest writer ever, bring your minis to the Mini Fest!
Actor Bill Hammack will provide dynamic performances to illustrate Shakespeare's life and plays and English professor Dr. Dawn Walts will lead the audience through interactive Shakespeare-related games. The program also will feature a Shakespeare monologue celebration, live music, a chance to win tickets to various world-class Chicago Shakespeare productions and other surprise Shakespeare-related fun.
Hammack is a self-described theatre addict who "loves to talk about it with people who like to hear about it." As an actor he has appeared in more than 60 productions in roles ranging from Hamlet to Cyrano to the third spear carrier. He has performed in Washington, D.C., Miami and Chicago. The 2014 recipient of the Illinois Theatre Association's award for Outstanding Achievement in Community theatre, he recently retired from his position as managing director of The Theatre of Western Springs, now in its 87th season.
Walts is an award-winning English professor, mom, writer, reader and lifelong student, and one of her passions is to "make Shakespeare fun and accessible for everyone."
The Aurora Public Library would love for audience members to perform a Shakespeare monologue during the Shakespeare Mini Fest. No acting experience is necessary; just a willingness to step outside one's comfort zone and be a Mini Fest hero. For details, contact Dan Smolla, programming librarian, at dsmolla@aurorapubliclibrary.org or (630) 264-4283.
"The world's mine oyster."
All Shakespeare Mini Fest Attendees will have an opportunity to win tickets to a world-class production of Shakespeare. But those who present a monologue or part of a monologue greatly increase their chances of winning. Tickets to be given away during the Shakespeare Mini Fest include:
• Two tickets to Shanghai Jingju Theatre Company's "The Revenge of Prince Zidan" on Sept. 28-29 at the Harris Theatre. The renowned Shanghai Jingju Theatre Company transforms Shakespeare's Hamlet into one of China's most impressive forms of traditional art, setting the story in the fictitious ancient Chinese state of the Red City;
• Two sets of tickets (four total) to Chicago Shakespeare Theatre's "Love's Labor's Lost" on Navy Pier;
• Two tickets to The Improvised Shakespeare Company in Chicago.
Register for the program by calling (630) 264-4100 or by visiting www.aurorapubliclibrary.org (Click on EVENTS.) To view a video of the event, go to vimeo.com/175388302.
Thanks to the following sponsors for their ticket donations: Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, Harris Theater for Music and Dance and The Improvised Shakespeare Company.