Virtual Summer Shakespeare CLC and UW-Parkside partnership | Other Rita Updates

SOMERS - College of Lake County (CLC) will partner with the University of Wisconsin-Parkside (UW-Parkside) to present a virtual series of Shakespeare readings this summer. The acting company, made up of students from theatre departments of both institutions, will perform three plays on Sundays in June and July, starting with A Midsummer Night’s Dream, followed by Macbeth and Twelfth Night.

“We’ve been exploring other ways to keep our theatre students engaged and stay connected with the Lake County community,” said theatre department instructor and chair Craig Rich. “This partnership is a terrific collaboration to keep the arts alive this summer in a way that benefits both theatre students and community members who miss being in the audience.”

The students involved are hungry for action after theatre performances were recently canceled due to COVID-19. They will participate as designers, stage managers, assistant directors and actors in these virtual performances.

"Having the opportunity to do theatre over the summer, given the circumstances, is such a wonderful thing,” said Briana Livesay, CLC student from Wauconda. “We are lucky to have such an amazing team of directors and fellow actors. I feel as though everyone’s dedication to theatre, despite the socially distant situation, will shine through in our production.”

This joint effort further strengthens CLC’s relationship with UW-Parkside Theatre Arts department. Many CLC theatre majors transfer there because of the natural transition between CLC’s hands-on program and UW-Parkside's company model. Both are focused on providing students with a high quality and accessible theatre education.

Register online at uwp.edu/rita to watch their Summer Shakes performances on Zoom:

A Midsummer Night’s Dream on Sunday, June 28 at 5 p.m.
Directed by CLC instructor Craig Rich

Macbeth on Sunday, July 12 at 5 p.m.
Directed by UW-Parkside and CLC instructor Brian Gill

Twelfth Night on Sunday, July 19 at 5 p.m.
Directed by UW-Parkside instructor Fabrice Conte-Williamson

About College of Lake County:

The College of Lake County is a comprehensive community college committed to equitable high-quality education, cultural enrichment and partnerships to advance the diverse communities it serves in northeastern Illinois. Offered at three campuses in Grayslake, Vernon Hills and Waukegan or online, college classes are affordable and accessible to help each student achieve academic, career and personal goals. More than 70,000 students graduated with degrees and certificates since the college opened in 1969. The College of Lake County is the only higher-education institution ranked among the top 15 best places to work in Illinois by Forbes and is a national leader in many areas, including sustainability and conservation.

About University of Wisconsin-Parkside:

Since 1968, the University of Wisconsin-Parkside has been enriching minds and changing lives of those who attend. University of Wisconsin-Parkside offers a wide variety of undergraduate and graduate degree programs, as well as specialized online programs. Each year, more than 100 College of Lake County graduates transfer to UW-Parkside to pursue a four-year degree. With 41 majors, 56 minors, multiple certificates, pre-professional programs, and online degrees, the pathway to a brighter future starts right here at Parkside. The university now offers 12 master’s programs, including a 100% online Master of Science in Cybersecurity, which has been made possible through a collaboration with other UW campuses. For more information, visit: https://www.uwp.edu/learn/programs/.

Other Updates from The Rita:

While in-person events remain the focus for the future, the talented creators in the Rita are at hard work on their craft. UW-Parkside invites you to join us from where you are for these live streaming theatre and music events, and don't forget that two virtual exhibitions are open.

On “Melodious Mondays” the music department will host a series of live stream interviews and music highlighting the work of four Parkside faculty. UW-Parkside also has some virtual exhibitions available to view right now, including Deb Sokolow’s Loose History and Sky Hopinka’s video exhibit.

For more information on events at The Rita, including music performances, theatre performances, art galleries, and foreign film screenings, visit uwp.edu/rita.

###

Media contact:

John Mielke
Communications Director
University of Wisconsin-Parkside
mielkej@uwp.edu
262-595-3226 | 262-902-9355