Shakespeare for everyone at Aurora Public Library
The Aurora Public Library will host its inaugural Shakespeare Mini Fest early next month at the Richard and Gina Santori Public Library downtown.
To celebrate the 400th year since the Bard's passing, organizers say the library is presenting a fun-filled evening from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 7, to emphasize that everyone can enjoy Shakespeare's works.
The mini fest is aimed at those who always wanted to know more about Shakespeare but were either bored by the way it was presented years ago in school or who thought it was only for academics. It also will be a perfect way to introduce Shakespeare to children.
The fest will include performances by actor Bill Hammack to illustrate Shakespeare's life and plays. English Professor 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 world-class Chicago Shakespeare productions and other surprise Shakespeare-related fun.
Hammack is a self-described theater 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 theater, 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. One of her passions is to "make Shakespeare fun and accessible for everyone."
The library also is inviting audience members to perform a Shakespeare monologue during the fest. No acting experience is necessary; just a willingness to step outside one's comfort zone.
For more information, contact Programming Librarian Dan Smolla at dsmolla@aurorapubliclibrary.org or (630) 264-4283.
Tickets to be given away during the Shakespeare Mini Fest include:
• Two tickets to Shanghai Jingju Theatre Company's "The Revenge of Prince Zidan" Sept. 28 and 29 at the Harris Theatre. The internationally renowned 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 (4 total) to Chicago Shakespeare Theatre's "Love's Labor's Lost" at 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 and click on events. To view a video of the event, go to https://vimeo.com/175388302.