Talks by theater arts and English professors will precede the Kentucky Shakespeare performances.
Talks by theater arts and English professors will precede the Kentucky Shakespeare performances.

 

2015 Bard's Cards night
2015 Bard’s Cards night

Summer is the time to don your red shirt, show school spirit and brush up on Shakespeare with free UofL talks and outdoor Kentucky Shakespeare performances June 4, June 19 and July 10 in Louisville’s Central Park.

The College of Arts and Sciences, Alumni Association and Kentucky Shakespeare are encouraging audience members to wear red to The Bard’s Cards evenings at Shakespeare in the Park. People can order Bard’s Cards T-shirts when they register at uofl.me/as-bards-cards-2016.

Talks by theater arts and English professors will begin at 7:15 p.m. on the C. Douglas Ramey Amphitheater stage, where the Kentucky Shakespeare performances will follow at 8 p.m.

Kevin Gawley, resident scenic and lighting designer in theater arts, leads off with his June 4 talk preceding “The Two Gentlemen of Verona.”

Before “A Winter’s Tale” June 19, Renaissance drama scholar Hristomir Stanev from the English department will be the speaker.

Zhanna Goldentul, resident costume designer in theater arts, wraps up the series with her July 10 talk before “Romeo and Juliet.”

Seating on benches is first come, first served, but patrons also are allowed to bring chairs and blankets. Food and beverages are available for purchase. The park is at 1340 S. Fourth St.; parking is available along the bordering Fourth, Magnolia, Sixth and Park streets.

The events are presented as part of UofL’s sponsorship of Will in the Ville, a communitywide collaboration marking the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death with activities surrounding the national First Folio traveling exhibit. Check www.LFPL.org/WillintheVille for more information on related events at UofL and elsewhere.