Ophelia's Jump Presents 5th Annual Midsummer Shakespeare Festival

Ophelia's Jump Productions presents their Annual Midsummer Shakespeare Festival with ROMEO & JULIET and AS YOU LIKE IT. The productions will run July 12-22, 2018 at the Sontag Greek Theatre at Pomona College. The festival, co-sponsored by Pomona College, includes exhibits, arts and crafts by community businesses and organizations. Tickets are available at opheliasjump.org, or by calling 909-734-6565.

This year's Midsummer Shakespeare Festival celebrates diversity and inclusion with an adaptation of Shakespeare's masterpiece, ROMEO & JULIET. First produced as a 45 minute version for LA Fringe Festival, the piece has been expanded to its full length and scope for the festival. Juliet and other members of her family are deaf. The rift that divides the lovers is cultural and linguistic, but their love transcends their families' prejudices. The production will be double cast with both deaf and hearing actors. The aim is to make this timeless story accessible to all and to create a shared understanding and communal experience for all audience members. AS YOU LIKE IT incorporates the world of wrestling with humor and high energy. Both productions will take place under the stars at the beautiful Sontag Greek Theatre, an outdoor amphitheater renovated in 1997. The productions will be performed in repertory, alternating each night.

ABOUT ROMEO & JULIET

Capulet. Montague. Deaf. Hearing. Our identities tell the world who we are and shape how we interact with others. This modern production of Romeo and Juliet examines what can happen when we choose to see certain groups as "other" or as our enemies, instead of finding commonality and community. Accessible to Deaf and hearing audiences in American Sign Language (ASL) and Shakespeare's spoken English.

ABOUT AS YOU LIKE IT

Freedom to create is air to an artist - without it they would perish. But when every poet, musician, comedian, and philosopher is exiled to the wilderness, and a vicious media baron replaces them with bloodsport, is art enough to survive on? Rosalind and her cousin Celia navigate the crazed world of wrestling, cross-dressing, and ennui-plagued men to find true love and true expression in this modern production of As You Like It.

In it's fifth year, Ophelia's Jump's Midsummer Shakespeare Festival artfully presents tragedy and comedy under the stars in a beautiful outdoor setting. We invite you to bring your own picnic and don't forget a small blanket or cushion for added comfort.

Weekend Festival

On Saturdays, arrive early and enjoy local musicians, artists, and crafts before settling in for an evening of timeless Shakespearean classics. Enjoy festival booths, crafts, and vendors starting at 5:30 p.m. Local restaurants and businesses will be offering special in-restaurant dining menus and selected take-out options to enjoy prior to all performances.

• Title: ROMEO & JULIET and AS YOU LIKE IT
• Directors: Ophelia's Jump Company Member Alexandra Easton (ROMEO & JULIET) and Founding Associate Artistic Director Caitlin Lopez (AS YOU LIKE IT)
• Location: Sontag Greek Theatre, Pomona College, 300 East Bonita Ave., Claremont
  (located behind Seaver Theatre)
• Opening: Thursday, July 12 (AS YOU LIKE IT) & Friday, July 13 (ROMEO & JULIET)
• Regular Run: July 12-July 22, 2018

Specific Show Schedule:

AS YOU LIKE IT - July 12, 14, 20, 22

ROMEO & JULIET - July 13, 15, 19, 21

Curtain Times:

Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays at 8 p.m.

Ticket prices: $25 General Admission

Group tickets available, contact info@opheliasjump.org or call
909-734-6565 for info

About Ophelia's Jump

Ophelia's Jump is a non-profit regional theatre company based in Claremont and performing in Claremont and Upland. Ophelia's Jump Productions was founded by artists and educators who believe that the purpose of theatre is to create unending conversations, spark imagination, incite conscience, and elicit a visceral response. Ophelia's Jump aims to invigorate the creativity and intellect of the community by working with local emerging artists.

Additional information available at opheliasjump.org

About Pomona College

Located in Claremont, California, Pomona College is widely regarded as one of the nation's leading liberal arts colleges. Established in 1887, Pomona is known for its quality academic programs, a challenging curriculum, close relationships between students and faculty, a range of student research and leadership opportunities, and a strong commitment to the arts. Additional information available at www.pomona.edu

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