Shakespeare in the Park next week

Next Wednesday August 31, the Montana Shakespeare in the Park program will return to Whitehall.

A performance of "Richard III" will take place at 6 p.m. at 206 Yellowstone Road.

The Whitehall performance is one of 61 scheduled this summer in Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, North Dakota and Washington.

The company features 10 professional actors selected from national auditions who tour without technical assistance to bring live theater to mostly rural communities. This summer, 66 percent of the communities reached by the troupe have populations of 5,000 or fewer.

"This is the first time in MSIP's 44-year history that we'll bring 'Richard III' to our stage. (Richard) will fit right into what is already an active political year, reminding us how Shakespeare stays relevant even 400 years after his death," said Kevin Asselin, executive artistic director.

While the performance is free of charge, this year those in attendance will be able to add a gourmet dinner to their play experience. According to Jan Thorne of the Whitehall Chamber of Commerce, the chamber is offering a boxed dinner provided by Red Apron Catering.

She said Red Apron is providing the meal at cost to the Whitehall Chamber so that the proceeds can support future Shakespeare in the Park performances.

Audiences are encouraged to arrive early with chairs, blankets and picnics.

Montana Shakespeare in the Parks is an outreach program of Montana State University's College of Arts and Architecture. Grants, corporate sponsorships and hundreds of individual donors support the free performances. The company is also supported by the National Endowment for the Arts: Art Works, which this year increased its support.

For more information on the plays and a complete tour schedule, visit the company's website: http://www.shakespeareintheparks.org.