Coming Soon... SitP 2023

Shakespeare in the Park will hit the road again in 2023 with....

.... well, we have some pretty great ideas. We'll share them in detail  soon. In the meantime, we can share...

• Dramaturgy and Direction by ML Cogar. Aka, utterly brilliant.

Auditions / Join the 2023 Cast

Optimist Theatre is accepting video auditions NOW. If you're interested, please email Tom Reed for sides and guidelines.  More info first? Email Susan Fry  or use the contact form on this page.

Details for cast consideration at a glance...
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• The play will be an abridgment focused on a primary storyline and characters. Length between 75 and 90 minutes with 6 to 8 actors with some playing multiple roles.
• Rehearsals are slated to begin the last week of May and run mostly M-F from 6-10pm for 5 weeks. Most rehearsals are indoors  transitioning to outdoors as opening date gets closer.
• Opening weekend is probably on or around June 24th.
• The show tours for   about 10 weekends  for a total of 10-14 performances.
• All Saturday and Sunday matinees. Only 1 show per day - typically beginning between 4:00 and 5:30 pm.
• Performances are all outdoors.
• Optimist uses a full sound system including a pre-recorded soundscape and actors are all mic'd.
• Locations are green spaces primarily in the greater Milwaukee area. Thus far, the furthest traveled is  Brookfield.
• Roles are competitively paid. Pay is divided into 3 equal parts and distributed roughly 1/3 and  2/3 into your time commitment and after the final performance. Direct deposit available.
• Optimist is an Equity company so all Actors' Equity Association rules are followed. Which makes every rehearsal brilliantly and consistently run.
• For a rundown on how the performance day works, peruse Crew details  (below).

Join the 2023 Crew

Crew Positions

Touring a show requires a great crew. Once the show is up and running, YOU'RE the REAL STARS.  Because crew is so important, we are hiring NOW for summer 2023.

In addition to the cast info (above) some additional details for crew consideration at a glance...
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• Crew will rehearse. Touring a show has unique considerations and challenges and it's important to learn how it works before the  show hits the road.
• Crew arrives about 3 -4 hours prior to showtime to create a theater out of a blank piece of very large lawn somewhere.
• It takes about 2 hours to strike the set and load it into the vans each night. 
• The production includes a full sound system, our own generator, stage decks, dressing rooms, a 'booth' tent, props, costumes and a house.  Imagine everything in an indoor theatre except for lights and walls and that's what we create everywhere we go.
• Lunch and cold beverages  are  provided.
• Shows are local so no overnight trips. 
• All paid*.  More details in the cast section.

​For more information, email   Susan Fry. or use the contact form on this page.

Some of these positions will be combined.  They   include...

• Equity Stage Manager (Filled)
• Production Manager (Filled)
• Costumer (Filled)
• Set Designer (HOPEFULLY Filled)
• House Manager
• Costumer Assistant
• Assistant Stage Manager
• Soundscape  Designer (s)
• Sound Engineer  (HOPEFULLY Filled)
• Set up crew - at least 3 hale and hearty people
• Wardrobe
• Props
• House Manager Assistant
• Drivers for the 2 large vans
• Marketing and Social Media (Filled)
• Community Outreach
• Locations Liaison
• Payroll (Filled)
• Ushers and Audience Assistance   . *Some volunteer usher positions available. Some paid. This is the only area where we accept volunteers.

When will shows take place in 2023?

• Opening weekend is probably on or around June 24th.
• The show tours for   about 10 weekends  for a total of 10-14 performances.
• All Saturday and Sunday matinees. Only 1 show per day - typically beginning between 4:00 and 5:30 pm.

Where will shows be in 2023?

Interested in SitP coming to

you?

Performances are all outdoors and free to see. 2023 will include a mix of favorites and a few new places. For a flavor, 2022 performances were hosted by and took place at ...

Shakespeare in the Park is a mobile production and we'd love to hear about your green space. In order to consider a location we need...

• A big, flat piece of grass - approximately 20 feet by 30 feet plus room for an audience.
• Access to drive on 2 vans.
• A shady space is very much preferred
• ​Partnering on inviting your community to attend the show

Things that would be nice...

• Access to bathrooms. If not available, we'll rent one.

We don't need...

• Access to electrical outlets. We bring our own generator.
• An amphitheater. They're too small or too far away from the audience or... they just don't work. Our show is designed to be played in the easiest, most commonly available space possible: A big, flat piece of grass.

​Email Susan Fry if you're interested in chatting about the possibilities.

And ...