Cincinnati Shakespeare Announces Free PROJECT38 Festival

This school year, Cincinnati Shakespeare Company launched their new groundbreaking arts education initiative titled PROJECT38. CSC teaching artists have spent nearly 250 hours this school year working with over a 1,000 students at more than 38 different schools to bring each of Shakespeare's 38 plays to life in creative ways. From April 15-22, 2015 all of the Cincinnati community will get to experience these amazing performances at a week-long free festival in downtown Cincinnati! Starting at 3pm on Wednesday April 15 through the following Wednesday, there will be over 38 events and nearly 60 hours of free arts events in Washington Park, Memorial Hall, and at Cincinnati Shakespeare that the entire community is invited too!

There were be a myriad of events going on throughout the festival that bring all 38 of Shakespeare's plays to life in many ways including 9 full productions, 19 performance-based projects, 5 visual arts project, 4 writing projects, 2 dance project, 2 music programs and 2 film making/multimedia projects and more! Audience members and students will be given the opportunity to try and see as many of the plays as possible to earn prizes. There will educational materials available throughout as well as activities and details in the free festival guides. This festival is appropriate for audiences of all ages and families with young children are encouraged to attend!

Memorial Hall will serve as the home base for the week and will be open during all of the festival activities. Audience members can check in there to get information and learn about the upcoming performances. There will also be art installations inside Memorial Hall related to Shakespeare's 38 plays. And, as a bonus treat, Cincinnati Shakespeare's professional touring ensemble will present a FREE encore performance of the Shakespeare in the Park touring performance of "A Midsummer Night's Dream" on Saturday at 3pm in Washington Park. This performance is free and open to the public!

Over the last 20 years, CSC has brought classical theatre and literature to life for over 200,000 students from 150 schools in more than 100 zip codes across three states. This close connection with students and educators is what inspired them to take on this exciting new endeavor. Last season, Cincinnati Shakespeare became one of the first 5 theaters in the United States to "completing the canon" by producing all 38 of Shakespeare's plays over 20 years. The 38 plays have served as the inspiration for the title of PROJECT38 and will allow CSC and the community at large to "complete the canon" every year over a week-long period!

For information about how to support or get involved with PROJECT 38, please contact Jeanna Vella, Director of Education and Communications at jeanna.vella@cincyshakes.com or 513.381.2273 ext. 3202, or visit www.cincyshakes.com.

The entire festival schedule can be found at www.cincyshakes.com/PROJECT38

The conclusion of the festival will be celebrated at Revel and Applause, Cincinnati Shakespeare Company's second annual gala event and fundraiser, April 22, 2015. This year's event will be the culminating celebration of our very first year of PROJECT38, April 15th thru 22nd.

Last year's Revel and Feast event was touted as one of the best events of 2014. For the second Revel, on April 22, 2015 CSC will present another world class celebration. Join CSC for an evening of exclusive live performances, fine wines and enticing cuisines, a multimedia culmination of PROJECT38 and a big round of applause for the guest of honor, Ms. Elizabeth "Lib" Stone. CSC will be presenting Lib with the Globe Award for her vigorous commitment to education through the arts in our community. Her generous support and vision have been the driving force behind Cincinnati Shakespeare Company's summer camps, Groundlings, and Groundlings Jr. programs and now, PROJECT38. The Swan Award will be awarded to Jill Fritz from Lebanon High School for her dedication and tireless work as an educator bringing Shakespeare and the classics to her students. And the Rose Award will be given to the student Emma Rader-Roth who has shown passion, dedication and expertise in exploring Shakespeare's works and helping to bring them to life in fresh and exciting ways.

Complimentary valet parking begins at 5:30 for our exclusive VIP reception at 6:00. This seated affair will feature delectable food and wine pairings and live presentations and performances by area students from our PROJECT38 festival.

The evening's entertainment continues at 7:30 in Memorial Hall's beautiful auditorium and will include music, art, awards, theatrics and a show stopping musical finale.

Finally, we will gather downstairs and lift a glass to good food, good drinks and good friends with raffle and auction items that are not to be missed. The featured silent auction item, generously donated by Ft. Mitchell Mercedes-Benz, will be a 5-night Black Forest/Alps vacation!

Festive Cocktail Attire. Complimentary valet parking

Pricing Breakdown:

$250 VIP Ticket, doors open at 5:30 for an exclusive seated affair at 6:00 which includes food and wine pairings and live performances from our PROJECT38 festival.

$150 Revel and Applause Ticket, seating begins at 7PM for our awards celebration and featured live performances by PROJECT38 students and Cincinnati Shakespeare Company members. The show begins at 7:30

$100 Special Subscriber ticket price, includes a ticket to the Revel and Applause awards and performances as well as our post show celebration with open bar and catering by Elegant Fare.

For tickets visit cincyshakes.com or call 513.381.2273 ext. 3205.

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