Shakespeare scholar to speak at GVSU Festival

ALLENDALE, Mich. — An internationally recognized scholar, lecturer, and critically acclaimed author on Shakespeare and Elizabethan culture has been tapped as the Shakespeare Scholar-in-Residence at Grand Valley State University.

James Shapiro, the Larry Miller Professor of English and Comparative Literature at Columbia University, will be at Grand Valley for two days in October to give several free public presentations during the GVSU Shakespeare Festival, Michigan's largest and oldest.

The author of "A Year in the Life of William Shakespeare: 1599," which won the Samuel Johnson Prize and the Theatre Book Prize, will give insights prior to Grand Valley's performances of "Cymbeline" on Thursday, October 4, and Friday, October 5, at 6:45 p.m., preceding the 7:30 p.m. performances. Shaprio will speak in the Van Solkema Recital Hall, Performing Arts Center, Allendale Campus. The pre-show talks are free and open to the public however, tickets are required for the theatre performances.

Shapiro will also give a presentation, "Seven Weeks in Shakespeare's Life," on Friday, October 5, 4-5 p.m., in room 204 Kirkhof Center, Allendale Campus. A reception at 3 p.m. precedes the lecture; both events are free and open to the public.

GVSU Shakespeare Festival includes a variety of events that run September 28-November 3. For more information, visit www.gvsu.edu/shakes/ or contact Jim Bell, GVSU Shakespeare Festival managing director, at (616) 331-3066.

Additional Shakespeare Festival Events:

-- Festival Mainstage Production September 28-October 7
Cymbeline
By William Shakespeare

In a heart-stopping mix of forbidden marriage, slander, kidnapping, and disguise, Shakespeare's "Cymbeline" comes to life in this fast-paced production set during the American Civil War. Louis Armstrong Theatre, Performing Arts Center, GVSU Allendale Campus. 
Performances at 7:30 p.m. September 28-29 and October 4-6.
Performances at 2 p.m. September 29-30, October 7
Performances for school groups only, 10 a.m. October 2-4


-- Renaissance Festival
October 13-14
The entire family can enjoy plenty of free entertainment in period costumes, children's games and more, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. on the "greensward" surrounding the
Cook Carillon Tower, Allendale Campus.

-- Bard to Go
This popular touring show will be presented in a special, free public performance, November 3, 1 p.m., Loosemore Auditorium, Pew Grand Rapids Campus.

Immediately preceding the performance will be an awards ceremony showcasing the winners of the Grand Valley Shakespeare Festival Student Competition, featuring entries in performing arts, literary arts, and visua