David Melville News

GRIFFITH PARK FREE SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL 2012, the largest summer theater event in the City of Los Angeles, began its performances June 28 and runs Thursdays through Sundays at 7 p.m. through to September 2. All Performances are free. A Midsummer Night's Dream opens tonight, July 5.

GRIFFITH PARK FREE SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL 2012, the largest summer theater event in the City of Los Angeles, begins its performances June 28 and runs Thursdays through Sundays at 7 p.m. through to September 2. All Performances are free.

GRIFFITH PARK FREE SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL 2012, the largest summer theater event in the City of Los Angeles, begins its performances June 28. This year ISC is offering over 40 nights of programming. In addition to the productions, there are nine PLAYERS IN THE PARK/JUGAMOS EN EL PARQUE pre-show workshops on select evenings. These workshops are an interactive, entertaining way for families to learn about the evening's performance. There are also these are lectures on topics related to Shakespeare as well as curtain-raising performances by local musicians and dancers.

Independent Shakespeare Co.'s annual benefit in Griffith Park, co-sponsored by Councilman Tom LaBonge and Los Angeles Council District Four, presents As You Like It by William Shakespeare today, May 12. Pre-show entertainment begins at 2:00 pm. Performance begins at 4:00 pm.

Melissa Chalsma is one busy woman. Wife, mom, actor, director and full-time artistic director of Independent Shakespeare Co., she knows firsthand what it's like to try and balance more than you think you can. There's always time for a little girl talk though so between juggling kids and rehearsals we grabbed a few minutes to talk about ISC's upcoming performance of As You Like It, how storytelling shapes our world, and those L.A. streets paved with gold. Read on!

The ISC Studio hosts its final workshop performance of A Midsummer Night's Dream tonight, May 5 at 5:00 pm at the Atwater Crossing Arts and Innovation Complex 3191 Casitas Ave, #168, Los Angeles, 90039.

Independent Shakespeare Co.'s annual benefit in Griffith Park, co-sponsored by Councilman Tom LaBonge and Los Angeles Council District Four, presents As You Like It by William Shakespeare on Saturday, May 12. Pre-show entertainment begins at 2:00 pm. Performance begins at 4:00 pm.

The ISC Studio will host workshop performances of A Midsummer Night's Dream on Saturdays April 7, 14, 28 and May 5 at 5:00 pm at the Atwater Crossing Arts and Innovation Complex 3191 Casitas Ave, #168, Los Angeles, 90039.

GRIFFITH PARK FREE SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL 2012, the largest summer theater event in the City of Los Angeles, begins its performances June 28 and runs Thursdays through Sundays at 7 p.m. through to September 2. All Performances are free.

Over the last ten years Independent Shakespeare Co. has grown to become one of L.A.'s best-loved summer events. Thousands of children and adults attended their 2011 summer of Free Shakespeare in Griffith Park, which included a HAMLET that had audiences raving. That production is now playing in ISC's Atwater Studio starring the company's managing director, David Melville. David and I sat down to discuss how playing Hamlet has changed for him over the years, as well as what the future holds, and how he learned to play the ukulele. And that's a story that will surprise you.

TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA marks the first full production in Studio is Shakespeare's freewheeling comedy, full of music and flirtation.

TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA marks the first full production in Studio is Shakespeare's freewheeling comedy, full of music and flirtation.

Lyrical Verse Speaking: Next Session Starts June 6

Lyrical Verse Speaking: Next Session Starts June 6

After last year's overwhelming response to OUR AMERICAN COUSIN, Independent Shakespeare Co is remounting it as part of the 2011 Salon Series. Written in 1858 by English playwright Tom Taylor, OUR AMERICAN COUSIN tells the tale of a down-to earth Yankee who arrives in England as heir to a baronial estate, and encounters an eccentric extended family, including the hilarious nit-wit, Lord Dundreary (played by last season's Benedick, David Melville.)

After last year's overwhelming response to OUR AMERICAN COUSIN, Independent Shakespeare Co is remounting it as part of the 2011 Salon Series. Written in 1858 by English playwright Tom Taylor, OUR AMERICAN COUSIN tells the tale of a down-to earth Yankee who arrives in England as heir to a baronial estate, and encounters an eccentric extended family, including the hilarious nit-wit, Lord Dundreary (played by last season's Benedick, David Melville.)

A Christmas Carol With Charles Dickens- The ISC holiday favorite returns for its seventh year.

A Christmas Carol With Charles Dickens- The ISC holiday favorite returns for its seventh year.

A Christmas Carol With Charles Dickens- The ISC holiday favorite returns for its seventh year.

First Performance in Griffith Park This Sunday, May 16- The Two Gentlemen of Verona. Please join us on this special afternoon as we inaugurate our new site in Griffith Park! It's a fun, economical way to help ISC get our summer season off to a strong start.