The Arc Theatre Returns for Shakespeare on the Ridge for 7th Season with AS YOU LIKE IT

The Arc Theatre returns for its 7th year at Shakespeare on the Ridge with the bard's comedy of romantic deceptions, relentless lovers and rambunctious denizens of the Forest of Arden, directed by Artistic Director Mark Boergers* playing July 23rd through August 14th at Ridgeville Park, 908 Seward St., Evanston. ADMISSION IS FREE. The Press Preview is Friday, July 22nd at 7pm.

As You Like It, one of Shakespeare's most famous comedies, subverts the traditional rules of romance. Lovers Rosalind and Orlando are exiled into the forest of Arden and become enveloped into a rambunctious tale of love, lust and mistaken identity. Gender roles, sexuality, politics and courtly behavior become blurred in this play that examines the fluid and chaotic nature of true love.

The production team for AS YOU LIKE IT includes: Assistant Director Joe Flynn*, Stage Manager Jaclynn Joslin, Set Designer Cailin Short*, Costume Designer Catharine Young, Assistant Costume Designer Madison Briede, Movement Director Dustyn Martincich*

*Denotes The Arc Theatre company member

Cast: Chloe Baldwin (Phebe), Teddy Boone* (Jacques), Jenny Guy (Audrey), Sarah Hecht (Celia), David Kaplinsky (Silvius), Jeff Kurysz (Touchstone), Tyler Meredith (Rosalind), Andrew Tardif (Oliver), Lew Wallace (Duke), Sean Wiberg (Orlando)

Location: Ridgeville Park, 908 Seward St., Evanston

Dates: PRESS PREVIEW- July 22nd (7pm), PERFORMANCES- July 23rd through August 14th

Curtain Time: Saturdays and Sundays at 7pm

Ticket Price: ADMISSION IS FREE

Seating is first come, first served we suggest Audience members arrive early. Audience can bring a picnic dinner to enjoy during the performance, and may bring their own chairs/blankets (some seating is provided.)

Reserved Picnic tables and front row seats are available with donation to Ridgeville Park. arctheatrechicago.org for more information.

Mark Boergers (Director) is the Artistic Director and co-founder of The Arc Theatre. He holds his MFA in Acting from The Theatre School at DePaul University as well as a BS in Business administration from Marquette University. He is the Chair and Artistic Director of the Theater Program at Cardinal Stritch University in Milwaukee, WI. He has also works as a freelance casting associate for Paskal-Rudnicke Casting in Chicago. Past directing credits include: A Midsummer Night's Dream, Merry Wives of Windsor, Romeo and Juliet, Twelfth Night, Much Ado About Nothing and Macbeth for Shakespeare on the Ridge, Slow Dance on the Killing Ground for Athena Theatre in Los Angeles, Oedipus Rex and Top Girls for The Arc Theatre and Steel Magnolias, Kindertransport, Do Black Patent Leather Shoes Really Reflect Up?, and his original co-written world premiere of "Cinderella: Love What You Wish For" at Cardinal Stritch. He will direct Steel Magnolias for The Arc in Evanston in January 2017 as well as Godspell at Cardinal Stritch in November 2016. www.markboergers.com.

Now in its 7th Season, Shakespeare on the Ridge was created through collaboration between The Arc Theatre's Artistic Director Mark Boergers and Ridgeville Parks District Programs Director Michael Miro in 2010 with the goal of bringing professional quality theatre to the Ridgeville and Evanston community. In six years, "Shakespeare on the Ridge" has expanded from a one weekend event to a four-weekend festival of specially-tailored performances, including a selection from Evanston's Mudlark children's theater company. The Arc brings professionally trained artists from the Chicago theatre community to create these one-of-a-kind experiences each summer. "Shakespeare on the Ridge" has become a fixture for audiences from all over the Chicago-land area, who wish to enjoy high quality art in a relaxing and fun setting.

The Arc Theatre is a proud company in the image of Chicago Storefront Theaters. Formed in 2010 by three soon-to-be graduates of The Theatre School at DePaul University, The Arc is in artistic residence at "Shakespeare on the Ridge" in Evanston and produces a season of classical, contemporary and new works around Evanston and the north side of Chicago with a relentless commitment to quality of process and craft. Having gained a reputation for intimate story-telling and rich creative experiences for both audience and artist, The Arc works with some of the most provocative theater practitioners in Chicago to create its one-of-a kind renditions. Following last season's critically acclaimed production of Macbeth and the world premiere of The Things We Keep, The Arc's current season exploring "the prodigal daughter" is highly anticipated.