“No legacy is so rich as honesty” and, honestly, everyone needs to know … Shakespeare LIVE, a Shakespeare in the Park experience, is coming to Arlington.
This global phenomenon, crafted and enkindled by local citizens LouAnn and Mike O’Donnell, aims to enrich the cultural landscape of downtown Arlington by bringing the timeless works of one of history’s greatest playwrights to life. Cultivating the team is Raphael Parry, noted director, actor, and recently retired Executive and Artistic Director for Shakespeare Dallas for over 20 years.
“We were just citizens who thought this would be cool,” Mike explains, reflecting on their journey that began in September 2022. “Arlington was missing this, and we’re going to give it to them!”
After securing Dance Theatre of Arlington as their fiscal sponsor in 2023, Shakespeare LIVE was off to a good start.
Shakespeare LIVE marks the first theatrical performance at the Levitt Pavilion, and the team is pulling out all the stops. Audiences can expect a cast of 15 professional actors from the DFW area, and the team wants to include students from UTA and the Arlington community at large. The production will take the pastoral themes of Shakespeare set against a backdrop of vibrant musical elements. “It’s a play about several groups of people falling in love, with a lot of comedy and beautiful live music,” Raphael shares.
Performances are scheduled for four enchanting evenings in April: Thursday, April 3, a special matinee show for school-aged students on Friday, April 4, as well as an evening performance, and an evening performance on Saturday, April 5. “It’s going to be a huge plus for the community,” LouAnn insists. “Bring a picnic, bring a drink—there’s nothing like enjoying Shakespeare under the stars. It’s truly magical!” All performances will be free to the public.
Arlington has long been a cultural desert regarding Shakespearean experiences, and this initiative aims to change that. “We want to bring a diverse segment of not just Arlington but the entire Metroplex together,” LouAnn shares. “This is not a one-off. Our goal is for this to be in Arlington forever.”
The founders hope to attract people to downtown by collaborating with local organizations such as Theatre Arlington, Dance Theatre Arlington, the Arlington Museum of Art, and other like-minded Arlington organizations who are driven by a passion to bring live performance to the community.
The journey to bring Shakespeare LIVE to life is ongoing. “We’re always looking for additional funding and community participation,” Mike adds. “The sustainability of this project depends on how the community embraces it this year.” The passion of this team and the growing movement is palpable, as the premier is only six months away.
For those looking to get involved—whether through set design, costuming, or acting—the team welcomes participants with open arms. General auditions are set for November 2-3, where aspiring actors will only need a one-minute Shakespearean monologue.
“We want everyone to be able to come to this and be involved. I truly think this is going to be great for this town,” LouAnn passionately proclaims.
As the excitement for Shakespeare LIVE continues to build, the community is invited to join in this vibrant celebration of the arts. Interested participants can connect with the team through their website, ShakespeareLive.org , where more information about auditions, volunteer opportunities, event updates, and sponsorships can be found.
