Don't Miss Free Shakespeare Performance in Carlsbad

The City of Carlsbad's Cultural Arts Office presents "Sixty Minute Shakespeare," produced by New Village Arts, Carlsbad's award-winning resident theater, in a series of free performances at the Ruby G. Schulman Auditorium in the Carlsbad City Library complex, located at 1775 Dove Lane. This is the second year this program has been selected for presentation by the Cultural Arts Office. For more information, visit newvillagearts.org. 

"Sixty Minute Shakespeare" performances use six actors on a bare stage with minimal costumes and props in adapted one-hour versions of the playwright's works. New Village Arts calls the program "essential Shakespeare;" the scripts by NVA company associate Justin Lang stay true to the plot and language of the original plays, honing the action and the characters into swift, sharp relief. 

Two of Shakespeare's best loved comedies will each receive two performances. "The Tempest," the story of castaways washed up on a magician's remote island, will be presented on Friday and Saturday, April 25 and 26 at 7 p.m. 

"As You Like It," which follows two disguised runaway noblewomen into the forest of Arden, will take place Friday and Saturday, May 2 and 3 at 7 p.m. 

Admission is free and first-come-first- serve tickets are distributed starting one hour before each performance. 

"Sixty Minute Shakespeare" is supported by the Carlsbad Library and Arts Foundation's Robert H. Gartner Fund and the Carlsbad Charitable Foundation. 

Since 1986, the City of Carlsbad's Cultural Arts Office has worked to make arts and culture an integral and inspiring part of the community's life, through programs and services such as TGIF Concerts in the Parks, Family Open Studios, Three Part Art, the William D. Cannon Art Gallery and City of Carlsbad Sculpture Garden, Carlsbad Community Arts Grants and other activities. The Cultural Arts Office seeks to create connections among artists, cultural organizations, community groups, businesses, visitors and residents that sustain and promote a thriving, diverse and creative city. 

—City of Carlsbad