John R. Hamilton Mock Trial Features Celebrity Judges and Orlando Shakespeare Theater Actors

Orlando Shakespeare Theater in Partnership with UCF will hold its 8th Annual John R. Hamilton Mock Trial on Tuesday, March 15, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. at the John and Rita Lowndes Shakespeare Center. This year Mother Nature will be put on trial for the havoc she's wrought on the characters in two of Shakespeare's productions, The Tempest and Pericles. The Margeson Theater will transform into an interactive courtroom as actors from both shows improv their way through the trial amidst a panel of celebrity judges. Tickets ($35 - VIP; $20 and $15 - Regular) are available by calling (407) 447-1700 ext. 1, online at www.orlandoshakes.org, or in person at 812 East Rollins Street.

The Theater's 8th Annual Mock Trial features actors from Orlando Shakes' upcoming production of The Tempest (playing February 10 - March 27, 2016) and The Adventures of Pericles (playing February 24 - March 26, 2016). Following the audience's advisory verdict, a panel of five special guest judges including Scott Maxwell, Orlando Sentinel "Taking Names" Columnist, Belvin Perry, Jr., Attorney at Morgan & Morgan, Phil Rawlins, Founder and President of Orlando City Soccer Club, Cynthia Schmidt, Director of UCF's Center for Law and Policy, and Julie Wolf, Senior Private Banker SVP at Wells Fargo, will announce the final ruling.

Kimberly A. Ashby, Partner at Akerman LLP, and Nicholas A. Shannin Esq. of The Shannin Law Firm, return as advocates.

"We are so excited to be covering two of Shakespeare's classics in our 2016 Mock Trial," said Mock Trial Committee Leader Cory L. Taylor, Partner at Roetzel & Andress. "Audience members will laugh their way through the trial as the characters and advocates navigate their way through the comical case against mother nature."

The public event also includes an opportunity to mingle with leading members of Central Florida's legal, business, and artistic communities in a pre-show VIP cocktail hour. Starting at 6:00 p.m., all VIP ticket holders are invited to enjoy complimentary light hors d'oeuvres and beer, wine, and non-alcoholic beverages.

Since 2009, Orlando Shakespeare Theater has hosted mock trials that explore contemporary legal thought using classic plays as their template. Past mock trials have considered whether Shakespeare's Hamlet was indeed insane when he killed Polonius, and addressed a contentious Darcy v. Wickham defamation lawsuit based on Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice.

The 8th Annual Mock Trial is presented by Wells Fargo. Additional sponsorship is provided by Roetzel & Andress and First American Title.

Orlando Shakespeare Theater is supported by United Arts of Central Florida, host of power2give.org/centralflorida, and the collaborative Campaign for the Arts. Orlando Shakespeare Theater is also sponsored in part by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs, and the Florida Council on Arts and Culture. This project is also funded in part by Orange County Government through the Arts & Cultural Affairs Program.

ABOUT ORLANDO SHAKESPEARE THEATER

Founded in 1989, Orlando Shakespeare Theater in Partnership with UCF produces classic, contemporary, and children's plays and musicals. Under the leadership of Artistic Director Jim Helsinger and Managing Director PJ Albert, Orlando Shakes has grown into one of the region's most acclaimed professional Equity theaters, garnering national recognition from The Wall Street Journal's Terry Teachout. "Hence the high quality of Orlando Shakespeare, a company that deserves to be far more widely known outside Florida." With ambitious, high-caliber productions like 2014's The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby, Parts I & II or 2008's chilling Macbeth performed "in the round", the Theater continues to provide an innovative world-class theatrical experience to its guests, while showcasing William Shakespeare's legacy as the cornerstone of the company. Orlando Shakes also offers immersive educational programming that serves Central Florida schools and the local community at large. For more information visit www.orlandoshakes.org.