Alley Theatre Hosts SHAKESPEARE@400; Previews Begin Tonight!

This month, the Alley Theatre hosts Shakespeare@400, a variety of educational and patron-engaging events, centered around the Alley's production of A Midsummer Night's Dream beginning previews October 7, and opening October 12.

The Alley celebrates 400 years of Shakespeare - rich with history and filled with the Bard's iconic language - with Shakespeare@400. Shakespeare@400 activities are aimed towards introducing Shakespeare's text to new audiences and also sharing the Alley's own rich history with Shakespeare through costumes, artifacts and props on display.

The Alley invites families to attend the Shakespeare Saturday beginning on October 15. Shakespeare Saturdays are free and open to the public and will include a " Start Up Shakespeare" pre-show workshop starting at 1:00 p.m. in the Louisiana Room. During this workshop, families are invited to experience the art behind Shakespeare's play in a special gallery designed to engage parents and students (ages 12-17) before the show. Families will then explore the major conflicts and themes in A Midsummer Night's Dream, with an activity guided by Alley teaching artists. The workshop will wrap up with an activity on Shakespeare's rhythm and send families off to the show ready to tune into the beat of Shakespeare's ultimate comedy. Author Dennis Abrams will also lead a discussion during select workshops. He is the author of The Play's The Thing, a two-volume introduction to Shakespeare's plays for young adults. Following the performance of A Midsummer Night's Dream, participating families are invited to a meet and greet with the Alley actors.

Also, on-site throughout the run, a special "Shakespeare at the Alley" exhibit on the Albert and Ethel Herzstein Sculptural Level will display costumes, original designs and photos from the Alley's past Shakesperean productions. Audiences can also access Alley Re-Sourced, the Alley's interactive guide that recreates Shakespeare's world and takes you into the realm of A Midsummer Night's Dream.

The Shakespeare conversation continues with various pre-and post-show events, which are free and open to the public, including Alley In Context discussions, Actor TalkBacks and Designer Talkbacks. On October 30, after the 2:30 p.m. matinee, the Alley is offering a special Alley In Context featuring Houston Ballet Artistic Director Stanton Welch and Alley Artistic Director Gregory Boyd discussing the importance of Shakespeare's work in theatre and dance.

Shakespeare@400 reaches beyond the theatre with an online video series " Shakespeare Voices." Alley Theatre actors perform iconic speeches from Shakespeare's most famous works ranging from King Lear to Romeo and Juliet. Houstonians can participate by recording their own Shakespearen text and posting it on their social media handles with #LendYourVoice.

Additionally, Applied Theatre at the Alley presents DREAM-HOUSTON, a yearlong celebration of verse and freestyle for students. DREAM-HOUSTON is designed to de-code Shakespeare and make his language contemporary and accessible to everyone. DREAM-HOUSTON is made possible through Shakespeare in American Communities, a national program managed by Arts Midwest in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). The Alley Theatre is one of 40 professional theatre companies selected to participate in bringing the finest productions of Shakespeare to middle-and high-school students in communities across the United States. The NEA grant will also underwrite three student matinee performances of A Midsummer Night's Dream for students to experience the world of Shakespeare on stage at the Alley.

To learn more about Shakespeare@400 and access the collection of Shakespeare content, visit alleytheatre.org/shakespeareat400 and follow us on facebook.com/alleytheatre using #ShakespeareSaturdays.

SHAKESPEARE@400 Activities Calendar

Friday, October 7

A Midsummer Night's Dream OPENS (performances through November 5)

"Shakespeare at the Alley" exhibit opens on the Sculptural Level (through November 5)

Sunday, October 9

Designer Talk; Pre-show (1:30 p.m. in the Texas Room)

*Free and open to the public. Reservations are not required.

Wednesday, October 12

A Midsummer Night's Dream official Opening Night

Saturday, October 15

Shakespeare Saturday; Pre-show (1:00 p.m. in the Louisiana Room)

Alley Actor Meet and Greet; Post-show (exclusively for Shakespeare Saturday attendees)

Artist TalkBack; Post-show (after 2:30 p.m. performance)

Tuesday, October 18

Artist TalkBack; Post-show (after 7:30 p.m. performance)

Saturday, October 22

Shakespeare Saturday; Pre-show (@ 1:00 p.m. in the Louisiana Room)

Alley Actor Meet and Greet; Post-show (exclusively for Shakespeare Saturday attendees)

Sunday, October 23

Alley In Context Discussion Featuring Gregory Boyd; Post-show (after 2:30 p.m. performance)

*Free and open to the public. Reservations are not required.

Saturday, October 29

Shakespeare Saturday; Pre-show (1:00 p.m. in the Louisiana Room)

Alley Actor Meet and Greet; Post-show (for Shakespeare Saturday attendees)

Sunday, October 30

Alley In Context Discussion Featuring Gregory Boyd and and Stanton Welch ; Post-show (after 2:30 p.m. performance)

*Free and open to the public. Reservations are not required.

Saturday, November 5

Shakespeare Saturday; Pre-show (1:00 p.m. in the Louisiana Room)

Alley Actor Meet and Greet Post-show (exclusively for Shakespeare Saturday attendees)

A Midsummer Night's Dream closes

TICKETS: Tickets to A Midsummer Night's Dream are on sale now and start at $26. Discounted tickets for designated performances are available or any student, regardless of age, with a valid student ID for $16 in designated sections. Tickets can be ordered online ( alleytheatre.org) or by phone (713.220.5700). Discounts are available for groups of 10 or more. For Shakespeare Saturday performances, a special $10 youth ticket (Age 12-17) will be offered for the Alley's production of A Midsummer Night's Dream. Use promo code: FAMILY to purchase a $10 youth ticket with the purchase of a full price adult ticket. Call 713.220.5700 to purchase these tickets.

ABOUT THE Alley Theatre

The Alley Theatre, one of America's leading not-for-profit theatres, is a nationally recognized performing arts company led by Artistic Director Gregory Boyd and Managing Director Dean R. Gladden. The Alley produces up to 16 plays each year in its newly renovated theatre, ranging from the best current work, to re-invigorated classic plays, to new plays by contemporary writers. The Alley is home to a Resident Company of actors. In addition, the Alley engages theatre artists of every discipline - actors, designers, composers, playwrights - who work on individual productions throughout each season as Visiting Artists.

The renovation of the Hubbard Theatre at the Alley was completed in October 2015 - and created a new 774-seat state-of-the-art performance venue. Matched with the 310-seat Neuhaus Theatre, the Alley offers nearly 500 performances each season. The Company reaches over 200,000 people each year through its performance and education programs. Its audience enrichment programs include pre-show and post-performance talks, events, and workshops for audience members of all ages.

The Alley Theatre is supported by the 2016-2017 season sponsor United Airlines, the official airline of the Alley Theatre.