Kentucky Shakespeare to Host Stratford-Upon-Avon Celebration

April 23, 2016 marks the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare's death. As a continuation of the partnership between Kentucky Shakespeare and the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust/Shakespeare's Birthplace America, Kentucky Shakespeare has been invited to represent the United States at this month's celebrations in Stratford-upon-Avon, England.

Producing Artistic Matt Wallace, Director Amy Attaway, Director of Education Kyle Ware, and actors Abigail Bailey Maupin and Gregory Maupin will spend several days in Stratford-upon-Avon this month studying in the Shakespeare archives, attending lectures, events, and performing for the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust.

The Kentucky Shakespeare team will deliver a performance from A Midsummer Night's Dream at Shakespeare's New Place (the site of Shakespeare's adult home in Stratford) as part of the live BBC broadcast Breakfast with the Bard on the morning of April 23rd. The performance will be the first program of the day, launching the Shakespeare Lives online festival and will stream live on BBC.

Dr. Diana Owen, Chief Executive of The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust comments; "It is a very special year as people from across the world come together to mark 400 years of Shakespeare's legacy. We are delighted that our friends from Kentucky Shakespeare will be joining us to take part in this unique celebration."

The Kentucky Shakespeare members will also walk in the Shakespeare's Birthday Celebration Parade, unfurling the American Flag, representing the United States in the parade that starts at Shakespeare's Birthplace and concludes at Shakespeare's grave at Holy Trinity Church.

"This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for us to participate in Shakespeare's legacy in this way," said Matt Wallace, Producing Artistic Director. "We're extremely humbled to represent Kentucky Shakespeare, Louisville, and the United States in these celebrations and performances on this international scale."

Later that evening, Kentucky Shakespeare will perform scenes in the garden of Shakespeare's Birthplace and the Shakespeare Centre at the annual Shakespeare Birthplace Trust Chairman's Birthday Celebration.

The company members will then view the BBC and Royal Shakespeare Company concert featuring David Tennant, Judi Dench, and Ian McKellan, live-streaming from Queen Elizabeth Hall.

Kentucky Shakespeare's 56th season of free Shakespeare in Central Park will then run June 1-August 14.