Four plays in one night: 'Short Shakespeare' coming to Zilker Park

Kelsey Bradshaw, Austin American-Statesman
·1 min read
Wallis Brown, seen here in "The Tempest," is majoring in theater at Texas State University.
Wallis Brown, seen here in "The Tempest," is majoring in theater at Texas State University.
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What do you get when you mix five actors, two musicians and four plays? A weekend of theatre, if you're at Zilker Park!

"Short Shakespeare" is coming to Zilker Hillside Theater Thursday through Sunday this week. The one-weekend event, put on by Austin Shakespeare, will feature four, 20-minute versions of "A Midsummer Night's Dream," "The Tempest," "Twelfth Night" and "Hamlet." The shows start at 8 p.m. each night and are free.

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Schaeffer Certenberg, seen here in "The Twelfth Night," is majoring in theater at Texas State University.
Schaeffer Certenberg, seen here in "The Twelfth Night," is majoring in theater at Texas State University.

Actors Isaac Howell, Wallis Brown, Schaeffer Certenberg, Luke Ellis and Isabelle Dickey will portray all the characters in all four plays. Gwendolyn Kelso will direct.

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"If you’ve never seen Shakespeare, these four abbreviated plays with their comedic spirit will be a great introduction,” said Austin Shakespeare Artistic Director Ann Ciccolella.

Attendees can bring their own blankets, low chairs, and picnics to the shows. Some chairs will be available.

Luke Ellis, seen here in "Hamlet," was born in Stratford-upon-Avon in England, which is Shakespeare's birthplace.
Luke Ellis, seen here in "Hamlet," was born in Stratford-upon-Avon in England, which is Shakespeare's birthplace.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Four plays in one night: 'Short Shakespeare' coming to Zilker Park