Shakespeare festival goes on despite rain interruption

By Eboni Walker
Outlook writer

An unexpected weekend thunderstorm forced organizers to present an abbreviated version of the Southern Shakespeare Festival.
Fortunately, it didn’t dampen spirits or the excitement

“This is my first year attending the festival and I am very impressed,” said Robert McNeal. “I worked with multiple theater programs in Miami and I must say this production has to be my favorite.”
The event was a joint production between the Shakespeare Company and FSU’s School of Theater. The Southern Shakespeare Festival began in 1995, traveling to different cities with high school, collegiate and community individuals to put on a unique event in honor of the historic Shakespeare theatrics.

This year’s festival line-up included numerous Shakespeare scenes including “Loco for Love, A Midsummer Night’s Dream” and the popular “As You Like It.”  Several speakers from the Quincy Music Theater also participated.

Since joining with FSU, Tallahassee has been the home of the Shakespeare Festival. It had taken place at Kleman Plaza until recently moving to the Capital City Amphitheater at Cascades Park.

There were food trucks lined up along the roadside for guests to enjoy throughout each evening. There was also an ice cream truck that was really in the old-time spirit, decorated with a 1930’s themed exterior and used a churn to create their ice cream.

As huge as the event turned out to be, every member of the volunteer pool had plenty to do. Cathleen Rose was glad to be there.

“When I received an email that said they were looking for volunteers, I just knew I had to be a part of it,” said Cathleen Rose, a theater major at the University of Florida.

Rose’s duty involved her working in the “Ye Olde Shake Shoppe” that served as the festival’s souvenir shop. Hats, shirts, jackets, mugs, jewelry and tie-dyed clothes were among handmade items sold by Marian Reid, who is on the festival’s Board of Directors.

“I have been tie-dying since 1981 and I love it, so I decided to add it on as one of the festival’s perks,” said Reid. “I began making jewelry a year or two ago because it doesn’t take as long to create and it attracts more customers.”