Greetings and welcome to Shakespeare in the Park 2025 and our online program!
For our sweet sixteenth season of Shakespeare in the Park, Optimist Theatre proudly presents not one, but two classic battles of the sexes: William Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing (Puppet Edition) and The Taming of the Shrew.
Both shows are abridged and directed by the funny and formidable Kelley Faulkner, with every role brought to life by our powerhouse trio of actors—Libby Amato, Kailey Azure Green, and George Lorimer. |
FranksThank you for visiting our online program here. Spending all of our time in parks and public green spaces, it's very important to us to minimize the amount of paper we distribute so using our QR code to navigate here is a big help.
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Director and Dramaturg
Kelley Faulkner 
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Kelley is happy to be back with Optimist Theatre after playing Beatrice in Much Ado About Nothing in 2017. She recently directed the acclaimed production of The Last Five Years at Milwaukee Rep after previously directing and choreographing Nuncrackers and the Frank Sinatra tribute, My Way, and choreographing Nunsense, All Night Strut, and Murder For Two. As an actor at Milwaukee Rep, audiences may recognize her as Liz in The Coast Starlight, Lady Caroline in Titanic, Sister Robert Anne in Nunsense, Pip in Things I Know To Be True, Miss Adelaide in Guys and Dolls, Evelyn Nesbit in Ragtime, title role in Always...Patsy Cline (twice!), and Sally Bowles in Cabaret, among many others. Other acting credits include work for Disney, Arizona Theatre Company, Walnut Street Theatre, and the New York City Opera. She holds a BFA in Theatre from Montclair State University in New Jersey, her home state. Kelley is a proud member of Actor’s Equity Association, for whom she served as the Central Regional Vice President until 2024, and SAG-AFTRA. www.kelleyfaulkner.com
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Cast
Libby Amato*
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Libby is thrilled to return to Optimist for another summer...this time with puppets! Previous Optimist credits include HAMLET, CYMBELINE, and TWELFTH NIGHT (OR WHAT SHE WILL) among others. She also recently appeared in A DOLL'S HOUSE (Milwaukee Chamber Theater) and THE MOUSETRAP with Next Act Theatre where she serves as Managing Director. In her spare time, Libby runs a small soap company called Abbondanza Soap Co. and spends as much time as possible with her feline housemates: Rory, Percy, and Frances. Many thanks to this incredibly talented team. Love you, Mom!
Libby is playing...
Much Ado About Nothing (Puppet Edition) - Beatrice /. Claudio / Borachio The Taming of the Shrew - Kate / Lord / Hortensio |
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Kailey Azure Green
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Kailey Azure Green (they/them) is an actor and choreographer based in Chicago. Kailey was last seen in Milwaukee in the title role of Henry V with Wisconsin Classic Stage. Other Wisconsin credits include the American Players Theatre in Our Town, The Merry Wives of Windsor, Sense and Sensibility, Love’s Labour's Lost, and The Rivals. Other credits include Peter Pan (Children’s Theater of Madison), Hedwig and the Angry Inch (Olney Theatre Center), The Moors (Fever Dream Theatre), West Side Story (The Grand Theatre), Romeo and Juliet (Chesapeake Shakespeare Company), Hamlet (Grassroots Shakespeare DC) and Love's Labour's Lost (Santa Cruz Shakespeare).
Kailey is playing...
Much Ado About Nothing (Puppet Edition) - Hero / Benedick / Don John The Taming of the Shrew - Bianca / Huntsman / Bartholomew / Tranio / A bit o Baptista and Hortensio |
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George Lorimer*
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George is thrilled to make his long awaited Optimist debut after first being cast in 2020's Romeo and Juliet. Previously, George has worked with Milwaukee Rep (A Christmas Carol, Titanic, As You Like It), Door Shakespeare (Romeo and Juliet, Emma), Summit Players Theatre (Macbeth, Much Ado), The Contemporary Theatre of Ohio (Ride the Cyclone), Skylight Music Theatre (Juliet and Romeo, Fortunate Sons). He is also the founder of Vanguard Productions, best known for their annual production of All is Calm.
George is playing...
Much Ado About Nothing (Puppet Edition) - Leonato / Don Pedro / Dogberry The Taming of the Shrew - Petruchio / Sly / Baptista / Lucentio |
Creative Teams
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Much Ado and Shrew...
Trinae Williams-Henning - Costume Designer Matt Norby - Props Designer Ron Scot Fry - Music Designer The PLAY's the Thing Team...
Jenni Glueckstein - Director Max - PLAYer and Assistant Estephanie Mendoza - Artist |
Puppet Team...
Adam McAleavey - Designer and Builder Ron Scot Fry - Designer and Renderings Jeff Mosser - Puppeteering Skills Trainer And...
Beth Lewinski - Graphic Designer Isabel Hernandez - Spanish Language Translator and Interpreter |
Production Teams
Melissa L. Wanke*
Stage Manager
Melissa helped launch Shakespeare in the Park back in 2010 and stage managed four early seasons before rejoining Optimist Theatre in 2021. Since then, she's been the steady hand behind the scenes every summer as Stage Manager for Optimist's touring productions. A proud member of Actors' Equity Association, Melissa brings decades of experience from companies including The Milwaukee Rep, American Players Theatre, Northern Sky Theatre, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, and Florida Studio Theatre. She spent 15 seasons as Production Stage Manager with First Stage and 5 summers with Door Shakespeare.
Stage Manager
Melissa helped launch Shakespeare in the Park back in 2010 and stage managed four early seasons before rejoining Optimist Theatre in 2021. Since then, she's been the steady hand behind the scenes every summer as Stage Manager for Optimist's touring productions. A proud member of Actors' Equity Association, Melissa brings decades of experience from companies including The Milwaukee Rep, American Players Theatre, Northern Sky Theatre, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, and Florida Studio Theatre. She spent 15 seasons as Production Stage Manager with First Stage and 5 summers with Door Shakespeare.
Carrie Johns - Assistant Stage Manager
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Production Crew...
Susan Fry - Production Manager Captain Koneazny - Crew Lead Drea DeVos - Crew Katy Lane - Crew Lead Amanda Ellis - Crew Grace Thompson - Driver Jason Richter - Sound Engineer |
House and Surveys Team...
Chris Carey - House Manager Norma Mortimer - Survey's Manager Cat Sadler - House and Surveys Team Alex Haas - House and Surveys Team |
Staff
Susan Fry - Executive Director
Karen Samelson - Grant Writer
Beth Lewinksi - Director of Community Outreach and Social Media Manager
Jaimelynn Gray - Community Outreach
Dawn Lewinski - Community Outreach
Karen Samelson - Grant Writer
Beth Lewinksi - Director of Community Outreach and Social Media Manager
Jaimelynn Gray - Community Outreach
Dawn Lewinski - Community Outreach
* Member of or appearing under a contract with Actors' Equity Association
About the Shows...
2:00 Daily
Anchored in an absurdly pastel Malibu Beach yacht, this breezy puppet-powered version of Much Ado About Nothing is a sun-drenched tangle of romance, wit, and deception. Beatrice and Benedick—equal parts sharp-tongued and sharp-witted—swear they’ll never fall in love, least of all with each other. BUT when their friends set a verbal trap, these two verbal sparring partners are hilariously tricked into reconsidering.
At the same time, young Hero and Claudio are swept up in their own whirlwind romance--UNTIL a jealous villain named Don John orchestrates a cruel prank that nearly wrecks their wedding day. Add in a clueless constable (Dogberry), meddling matchmakers, and a full cast of meddling relatives, officers, and gossips—all portrayed by a mix of handcrafted puppets and live actors—and the result is a riotous 60-minute romp.
Packed with yacht rock vibes, exaggerated antics, and Shakespearean heart, this miniature masterpiece proves that love—and comedy—play best under the sun.
At the same time, young Hero and Claudio are swept up in their own whirlwind romance--UNTIL a jealous villain named Don John orchestrates a cruel prank that nearly wrecks their wedding day. Add in a clueless constable (Dogberry), meddling matchmakers, and a full cast of meddling relatives, officers, and gossips—all portrayed by a mix of handcrafted puppets and live actors—and the result is a riotous 60-minute romp.
Packed with yacht rock vibes, exaggerated antics, and Shakespearean heart, this miniature masterpiece proves that love—and comedy—play best under the sun.
5:00 Daily
Set in a stylized 1980s Coney Island, this 50-minute adaptation reimagines Shakespeare’s fierce comedy as a neon-drenched battle of wills. In one corner is Katherina Minola, the razor-tongued eldest daughter of Baptista--a well-meaning but overwhelmed single father.
In the other corner: Petruchio, a swaggering outsider looking to marry rich, tame wild women, and maybe settle down. Sparks fly when these two meet, and the question becomes not if someone will change, but who?
Meanwhile, Katherina’s younger sister Bianca—sweet, stylish, and sought-after—has her own crowd of suitors vying for her hand, including the foppish Hortensio, earnest Lucentio (who’s traveling incognito), and his meddling servant Tranio, who’s pretending to be him. Toss in disguises, a secret wedding, mistaken identities, and a fast-talking ensemble of quirky side characters—all played by the same three actors—and the result is a boardwalk brawl of wit, gender politics, and physical comedy.
This punchy, fast-paced staging blends Shakespearean verse with big personalities, quick-changes, and slapstick grit.
In the other corner: Petruchio, a swaggering outsider looking to marry rich, tame wild women, and maybe settle down. Sparks fly when these two meet, and the question becomes not if someone will change, but who?
Meanwhile, Katherina’s younger sister Bianca—sweet, stylish, and sought-after—has her own crowd of suitors vying for her hand, including the foppish Hortensio, earnest Lucentio (who’s traveling incognito), and his meddling servant Tranio, who’s pretending to be him. Toss in disguises, a secret wedding, mistaken identities, and a fast-talking ensemble of quirky side characters—all played by the same three actors—and the result is a boardwalk brawl of wit, gender politics, and physical comedy.
This punchy, fast-paced staging blends Shakespearean verse with big personalities, quick-changes, and slapstick grit.
1:00 Open Play & 3:15 Demos and Workshops
Come for the shows, stay for the fun!
At 1:00, enjoy hands-on games for all ages—including period-inspired tabletop diversions and The Bard Game, our brand-new, life-sized Shakespeare board game where you roll the dice and race through the streets of Elizabethan London.
At 3:15, join us for a rotating lineup of totally rad, 1980s-flavored activities that dive into theatre, Renaissance life, and the works of Shakespeare himself. Each session features a new theme—from costume design to stage combat to pirate training—and is designed to be interactive, engaging, and fun for all ages.
No registration required—just show up and jump in!
👉The line-up of each day's interactive presentations and workshops and read more about them here...
At 1:00, enjoy hands-on games for all ages—including period-inspired tabletop diversions and The Bard Game, our brand-new, life-sized Shakespeare board game where you roll the dice and race through the streets of Elizabethan London.
At 3:15, join us for a rotating lineup of totally rad, 1980s-flavored activities that dive into theatre, Renaissance life, and the works of Shakespeare himself. Each session features a new theme—from costume design to stage combat to pirate training—and is designed to be interactive, engaging, and fun for all ages.
No registration required—just show up and jump in!
👉The line-up of each day's interactive presentations and workshops and read more about them here...
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4:10 Daily
Early Music Now is Milwaukee’s only presenter dedicated to music from the Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque periods. Known for their award-winning concerts and world-class performers, EMN brings both international ensembles and regional talent to the stage.
For a second summer, EMN is partnering with Optimist Theatre to bring live Renaissance music to Shakespeare in the Park. This year, EMN musicians will perform period selections as a prelude to The Taming of the Shrew. Ironically, Shrew is one of the few Shakespeare plays with no songs at all — a rarity, since music was a vital tool in Elizabethan theatre, used to set mood, signal class, and stir emotion.
The show features lute, recorders, and viola da gamba — instruments once believed to ease tension and elevate the spirit. It’s an ideal overture for our lively beachside battle of wills.
And while the music is historically authentic, the visual vibe is pure 1980s. Expect flip-flops, not doublets — and maybe a little neon with your notes.
Performers: Tim Sterner Miller (lute), Brett Lipshutz (recorders), and Charlie Rasmussen (viola da gamba).
More at www.EarlyMusicNow.org
For a second summer, EMN is partnering with Optimist Theatre to bring live Renaissance music to Shakespeare in the Park. This year, EMN musicians will perform period selections as a prelude to The Taming of the Shrew. Ironically, Shrew is one of the few Shakespeare plays with no songs at all — a rarity, since music was a vital tool in Elizabethan theatre, used to set mood, signal class, and stir emotion.
The show features lute, recorders, and viola da gamba — instruments once believed to ease tension and elevate the spirit. It’s an ideal overture for our lively beachside battle of wills.
And while the music is historically authentic, the visual vibe is pure 1980s. Expect flip-flops, not doublets — and maybe a little neon with your notes.
Performers: Tim Sterner Miller (lute), Brett Lipshutz (recorders), and Charlie Rasmussen (viola da gamba).
More at www.EarlyMusicNow.org
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