Alex Kingston & Diedrich Bader to Perform with Students at LA Drama Club Fundraiser

Following in the footsteps of Mayor Eric Garcetti who recited Shakespeare for LA Drama Club's last fundraiser, celebrated Hollywood actors will soon take the stage opposite the Country's Youngest Shakespeare troupe on April 15 to launch the 10th season of the Los Angeles Drama Club bi-annual Shakespeare Youth Festival L.A.

For the kick-off VIP Party, children, ages 7-17, from both South L.A and Hollywood will perform a light show, opposite distinguished actors, Royal Shakespeare Co member, Alex Kingston (Dr. Who) and Diedrich Bader (Veep) in comedic excerpts from the Shakespeare's plays. Guests will enjoy music, food, drinks and table-side Shakespeare.

The Shakespeare Youth Fest, LA runs from April 16-May 5 and coincides this year with the 400th Anniversary of Shakespeare's death. The four plays headlined feature families disrupted by internal and external storms and re-united by time and forgiveness.

Following the VIP fundraiser on April 15th, four of the Bard's plays will run in repertory at two locations. The Lyric LA, Hollywood will feature Shakespeare's final play, The Tempest, and a special production of A Winter's Tale. "This production is embracing a LGBTQ theme, portraying the young romantic leads as a same-sex couple," states Blaire Baron Larsen, LADC Founder and Co-Artistic Director. "Our teenagers love this idea and Shakespeare certainly would - he never shied away from it in his sonnets or plays."

The Club Fais Do Do performances showcase LADC's Shakespeare in the City program. Started in the Mid-City West Adams area in 2011, Shakespeare in the City offers free/low-cost classes, summer camps, and performances to the community. "We are so grateful to the neighborhood councils for welcoming and supporting Shakespeare in the City," says Larsen, a Mid-City resident. "MINC was the first neighborhood council to offer its support, and they have been invaluable to the growth of our programs."