Melissa Chalsma News

In anticipation of opening Macbeth as the centerpiece of its summer season, Griffith Park Free Shakespeare Festival is exploring Shakespeare's complex tale of inappropriate desire and dire consequences in the Independent Studio.

Top picks for 2013. Keep in mind that not all of the usual suspects have announced their seasons so I'll have more info to come, but for now, here's a look at some Southern California Shakespeare productions not to miss.

ISC's holiday tradition, A Christmas Carol With Charles Dickens, opens tonight, December 7.

ISC's holiday tradition, A Christmas Carol With Charles Dickens, opens December 7.

What revels are in hand in Griffith Park this summer? An abundance of mirth, merriment, mischief, and magic, all part of Independent Shakespeare Co.'s 2012 summer of Free Shakespeare.

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!

INTAR (Lou Moreno, Artistic Director/John McCormack, Executive Director) presents American Jornalero, a new play written by Ed Cardona, Jr., directed by Mariana Carreño-King, opening tonight, May 7 at 8 p.m. and continuing through June 3rd only, at INTAR (500 West 52nd Street at Tenth Avenue, on the 4th Floor). The play runs 80 minutes with no intermission. See photos from the production below!

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.

INTAR (Lou Moreno, Artistic Director/John McCormack, Executive Director) will present American Jornalero, a new play written by Ed Cardona, Jr., directed by Mariana Carreño-King, beginning performances Off-Broadway tomorrow, May 3rd, and continuing through June 3rd only, at INTAR (500 West 52nd Street at Tenth Avenue, on the 4th Floor). Opening Night is set for Monday May 7th at 8pm. The play runs 80 minutes with no intermission. See photos from the production below!

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.

INTAR (Lou Moreno, Artistic Director/John McCormack, Executive Director) will present American Jornalero, a new play written by Ed Cardona, Jr., directed by Mariana Carreño-King, beginning performances Off-Broadway Thursday May 3rd and continuing through June 3rd only at INTAR (500 West 52nd Street at Tenth Avenue, on the 4th Floor). Opening Night is set for Monday May 7th at 8pm. The play runs 80 minutes with no intermission.