Shakespeare’s witty romantic comedy about two couples’ complicated path to love, “Much Ado about Nothing,” takes to the outdoor stage at Blue Hole in August.
Central Texas Theatre Academy and the Wimberley Parks and Recreation Department team up for the fifth year in a row for their annual Shakespeare on the River event.
Twenty-five students, between the ages of 12 and 18, in CTTA’s fiveweek program have been designing and building sets, props and costumes as well as rehearsing for the full length play.
Students spend the first half of the 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. day in rehearsal with CTTA Director Bridget Gates analyzing the text and staging scenes.
Kevin Gates, Theatre History professor, and Bill Perkins, retired Shakespeare professor turned actor, attend rehearsals and meet with individual actors to coach them on expanding the characterization of their roles while scenes are being staged.
Students spend the second half of each day working on their assigned set or costume crews under the guidance of Aleah Petmecky and Hannah Mobarak, who teach sewing and costume construction.
Four performances are scheduled for August 2, 3, 7, and 10 at 8 p.m. at Blue Hole Regional Park. There is no charge to attend.
Last year, young classical actors in the program presented Romeo and Juliet to excellent reviews. Recent CTTA productions include the musical “Into the Woods” at the Buda outdoor amphitheater.
For additional information about after- school drama classes, performing arts micro-school, murder mystery dinner theatre, princess and superhero parties and other events at Central Texas Theatre Academy visit centextheatre.org and their Facebook page, Central Texas Theatre Academy.
