Kentucky Shakespeare Launches New SHAKESPEARE WITHOUT WORDS Tour for Immigrants and Refugees

Kentucky Shakespeare announces its newest program, SHAKESPEARE WITHOUT WORDS, serving immigrants and refugees in the Louisville Metro area.

"We couldn't be happier to serve our immigrant and refugee community with this engaging new production that crosses language barriers," said Matt Wallace, Producing Artistic Director. "These talented Kentucky Shakespeare artists have created a welcoming piece that uses the unifying power of the arts to connect with community members from dozens of counties, regardless of their native language."

Kentucky Shakespeare artists Abigail Bailey Maupin and Gregory Maupin created and perform in ERRORS, a new adaptation of Shakespeare's THE COMEDY OF ERRORS. This short, inclusive, and interactive performance uses the universal language of physical comedy, commedia dell'arte, & clown to engage young audience members.

"The opportunity to tell a story purely with physicality and a few grunts and whistles is unlike anything else. As silly as this story is, and as Looney Tunes as we've let ourselves get, it's a real challenge to be precisely clear what character you're playing when thirty seconds ago you were playing someone else, and ten minutes ago someone else was playing the character you're playing now. And yes, Greg and I play twins some of the time," said creator/performer Abigail Bailey Maupin. "Shakespeare is known for being, well, verbal," added Gregory Maupin, "but the two of us have wanted to do something that crossed language barriers with comedy for a long time. And there are something like 100 languages spoken in Jefferson County Public Schools; more than a quarter of the city's population growth this century has been international. And Kentucky Shakespeare has given us a perfect opportunity to reach as many of those folks as possible - with something really goofy."

In April the production will tour to Americana Community Center, Kentucky Refugee Ministries, and the Backside Learning Center at Churchill Downs. Kentucky Shakespeare will also present a public performance of the production as a pre-show to their Shakespeare in the Parks production of A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM at Iroquois Park Amphitheater - on Sunday, April 22 at 12:30PM.

This program is made possible through an External Agencies Fund Grant from Louisville Metro.

About Kentucky Shakespeare Designated the Official Shakespeare Company of the Commonwealth by the Kentucky legislature, Kentucky Shakespeare is a professional theatre company and not-for-profit charitable organization founded in 1949. Grounded in the works of Shakespeare, our mission is to enrich our community by presenting accessible, professional theatre experiences that educate, inspire, and entertain people of all ages.

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