Montana Shakes in Ekalaka, July 6

Montana Shakespeare in the Parks has announced it will return to in-person performances for its 2021 season. Due to the pandemic, the Montana State University program postponed its 2020 season and created content for all ages under the title “MSIP Live.”

This summer, the company will perform William Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” and “Cymbeline.”

“After enduring a year of uncertainty, we are so thrilled to be looking towards our 2021 season, where we’ll be able to once again engage our amazing communities with live free professional theater,” said Kevin Asselin, executive artistic director of Montana Shakespeare in the Parks. “Our greatest passion at MSIP is the opportunity that we’ve had for 49 years to bring families and neighbors together to share a picnic and enjoy the splendor of Shakespeare’s world, a world that is so relevant to our own.”

This year, the company plans to travel almost 7,000 miles putting on productions of the famed English playwright’s works throughout Montana and neighboring states. All performances are offered free to audiences in local parks and public spaces. MSIP relies on grants, corporate sponsorships and thousands of individual donors to support the free performances.

MSIP is an outreach program of the MSU College of Arts and Architecture.

"Without question, absence makes the heart grow fonder, and MSU's College of Arts and Architecture is proud that our very own Montana Shakespeare in the Parks will be back on the road this summer,” said Royce Smith, dean of arts and architecture. “We'll be working closely with the communities around our region to deliver free Shakespeare performances with an eye to all our audiences' health and well-being. We look forward to warmly welcoming audiences to another spectacular season in the coming months."

The company will perform “Cymbeline,” on Tuesday, July 6 outside of Dahl Memorial in Ekalaka. The performance is set to begin at 6:30 p.m.