HAMLET and THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST To Be Presented At Oak Park Festival Theatre

Oak Park Festival Theatre has announced the casts and production teams for its Summer 2026 productions of HAMLET and THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST. The productions will run concurrently June 30 through August 15, 2026, at Austin Gardens in downtown Oak Park.

Presented in repertory for the first time in company history, the season pairs William Shakespeare’s HAMLET with Oscar Wilde’s THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST. According to the theatre, the productions explore themes of performance, truth, identity, and societal expectations while inviting audiences to experience the works in conversation with one another.

The productions share a repertory creative team including Patrick Starner (Production Manager), Andy Cahoon (Technical Director), Devin Cameron (Lighting Director), Evan Frank (Scenic Designer), Duncan Hon (Master Electrician), Sophia De La Torre (Board Mixer), and Jack Short (Box Office Manager).

Oak Park Festival Theatre also announced the participants in its Apprenticeship Program, now in its 16th year. This season’s apprentices are Archer Bart, Karla Valdez, Emily York, Avery Dulak, Anya Moeske, Jo Selmeczy, Jamille Calixte, Evan Ozer, and Ella Boyden.

Season Pass packages are currently available.

HAMLET

Written By: William Shakespeare

Directed By: Peter G. Andersen

Cast: Brew Bos (Hamlet), Brenna Distassio (Laertes), Olive Gallagher (Ophelia), Pedro Jimenez (Rosencrantz), Gabriel Armstrong (Guildenstern), Patrice Egleston (Polonius), Jodi Gage (Gertrude), Josh Carpenter** (Claudius), Lucas Prizant (Horatio), and Charls Sedgwick Hall** (Ghost/Player/Gravedigger).

Understudy Cast: Lucas Prizant (Hamlet), Avery Dulak (Laertes), Anya Moeske (Ophelia), Ben Crane (Rosencrantz/Guildenstern), Julia Rowley (Polonium/Gertrude), August Foreman (Claudius/Ghost/Player/Gravedigger), Jamille Calixte (Horatio).

Production Team: Patrick Starner (Production Manager), Andy Cahoon (Technical Director), Tessa Huber (Stage Manager), Chrissy Roy (Assistant Stage Manager), Devin Cameron (Lighting Director), Evan Frank (Scenic Designer), Taylor Pfenning (Costume Designer), Duncan Hon (Master Electrician), Trent Jones (Scenic Painter), Sophia De La Torre (Board Mixer), and Jack Short (Box Office Manager).

** Denotes Membership in Actors' Equity Association

Dates

July 1 – August 15, 2026 (previews July 1, July 3)

Location

Austin Gardens, 167 Forest Ave, Oak Park, IL 60302

Tickets

General Admission ($40); seniors ($30); students ($15); previews ($20); children under 12 ($5). Group discounts available for groups of 10 or more. Additional booking fees apply.

THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST

Written By: Oscar Wilde

Directed By: Kathryn Walsh

Cast August Foreman (Algernon), Chad Bay (Jack), Sonia Goldberg (Gwendolyn), Aurora Pennepacker** (Cecily), Drew Bos (Merriman/Lane), Barbara Zahora** (Lady Bracknell), Gabriel Armstrong (Chausible), and Jodi Gage (Miss Prism).

Understudy Cast Gabriel Armstrong (Algernon), Pedro Jimenez (Jack), Olive Gallagher (Gwendolyn/Cecily), Evan Ozer (Merriman/Lane/Chasible), Belinda Bremner (Lady Bracknell), Julia Rowley (Miss Prism).

Production Team: Patrick Starner (Production Manager), Andy Cahoon (Technical Director), Chrissy Roy (Stage Manager), Tessa Huber (Assistant Stage Manager), Devin Cameron (Lighting Director), Evan Frank (Scenic Designer), Phoebe Boynton (Costume Designer), Duncan Hon (Master Electrician), Sophia De La Torre (Board Mixer), and Jack Short (Box Office Manager).

** Denotes Membership in Actors' Equity Association

Dates

June 30 – August 14, 2026 (previews June 30, July 2, July 4)

Location

Austin Gardens, 167 Forest Ave, Oak Park, IL 60302

Tickets

General Admission ($40); seniors ($30); students ($15); previews ($20); children under 12 ($5). Group discounts available for groups of 10 or more. Additional booking fees apply.

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