Grand Valley hosts state's oldest and largest Shakespeare festival

Shakespeare is alive and well at Grand Valley State University, host of Michigan’s oldest and largest Shakespeare Festival, with 2012 events beginning September 28 and concluding November 3.

The festival includes an academic conference, public presentations and discussions, performances of Richard III, Bard to Go and a family friendly Renaissance Faire. Operated annually since 1993, more than 6,000 patrons attend the Grand Valley Shakespeare Festival activities each season.

This fall, the festival is partnering with Pigeon Creek Shakespeare Company to host the Grand Valley Shakespeare Festival Conference, “Shakespeare:  Pedagogy and Performance.” Registration is required for the conference, though the public is welcome with free admission to the September 28 keynote address, 4 p.m., and preceding reception, 3 p.m., both at the Grand Valley Alumni House, Allendale Campus.

Keynote speaker is Carole Levin, the Willa Cather Professor of History and director of Medieval and Renaissance Studies program at the University of Nebraska. Her presentation, “Queen Margaret in Shakespeare and the Chronicles: She-wolf or Heroic Spirit,” gives focus to a major character in Richard III.

Public performances of Richard III are September 28-29, and October 4-6, 7:30 p.m., and matinees September 30 and October 6-7, 2 p.m. Tickets, $12 adults, $10 seniors and alumni, and $6 all students, are available at www.gvsu.edu/theatre, or by calling (616) 331-2300. Additional matinees are scheduled for area secondary schools. For information, contact Jo Miller, Shakespeare Festival schools liaison, at [email protected].

See a student-produced promotional video from Danielle Denig for Grand Valley's Richard III production below.

The production features professional, regional and student performers, including equity actor Brian Russell performing the villainous title role. Energy, revenge and intrigue mark this Shakespeare tragedy depicting Britain’s history at the end of the War of the Roses, culminating in Richard’s defeat to Henry Tudor, which ushers in a new age and renaissance for England. Pre-show discussions will be held September 28 and October 6, 6:45 p.m., Sherman Van Solkema Hall, Performing Arts Center.

A free festival Greenshow will be performed October 4 at 4:30 p.m. in front of the Performing Arts Center, and during the Renaissance Faire October 6-7, near the Cook Carillon Tower, Allendale Campus. All ages are welcome to a variety of outdoor entertainment throughout the faire.

Two free performances of Bard to Go, an interactive production introducing a variety of Shakespeare characters, are scheduled October 5 in Allendale and November 3 on the Pew Grand Rapids Campus.

For more information on all festival events, visit www.gvsu.edu/shakes.