Riverside, Calif.   (June 1, 2016) –  You can expect plenty of drama in the Smith Courtyard for the next couple of weeks at California Baptist University. The theatre department at CBU will create an outdoor theater to stage two plays during the program's inaugural Courtyard Shakespeare Festival starting this weekend.

CBU students, alumni and actors from the community will comprise the casts   that   will perform   in repertory productions of "Midsummer Night's Dream" and   "Romeo and Juliet."      

Garret Replogle ('11), theatre shop foreman, is directing "Midsummer Night's Dream." He said that having actors from the community will help students gain valuable experience working alongside professionals.

Frank Mihelich, assistant professor of theatre, is directing "Romeo and Juliet" and   will  also portray   Lord Capulet in the play.  He said a n outdoor theater is  the venue that Shakespeare intended for his plays.

"In [indoor theater], we do everything for you. Out here, you have to bring your imagination to it. But there is something that's really wonderful about doing outdoor theater because it's such an event," Mihelich   said.  

Both productions feature different settings than the original plays: "Romeo and Juliet" is set during the Italian Renaissance, whereas   "Midsummer Night's Dream" takes place in the '30s at an abandoned carnival in the South.  

"Midsummer Night's Dream"  
When:   8 p.m. June 3, 5, 9 and 11  

"Romeo and Juliet"  
When:   8 p.m. June 4, 8, 10 and 12  
Where:   Smith Courtyard, California Baptist University, 8432 Magnolia Ave., Riverside, CA, 92504  
Tickets:   $10  

Tickets or questions?   Call the theatre box office at 951-343-4319 or email:   mhyde@calbaptist.edu