Orcas Island becomes ‘Shakespeare Island’ this March 23rd
The Bard himself joins the Orcas Community in the 2nd Annual Festival. Restaurants, Shops & Schools Will Join in the Fun on March 22 & 23, 2013
Renowned Shakespeare actors and enthusiastic small-town performers are coming together on Orcas Island for two days of entertainment.
The Second Annual Shakespeare Festival will feature a production by the Seattle Shakespeare Company, parades and impromptu acting by Orcas musicians and performers both young and old, and a variety of offerings from island restaurants, hotels and shops for visitors and locals alike. William Shakespeare himself will kick off the festival, taking place on Friday, March 22 and Saturday, March 23.
“The Chamber of Commerce is working with our business community to take part in the fun,” said Orcas Island Chamber Board President Michell Marshall. “Restaurants and shops will feature ‘Shakespearean Specials’ that weekend, transforming the island into a Salish Sea version of Stratford-upon-Avon.”
On Friday, March 22, Seattle Shakespeare Company will present a production of Julius Caesar for the Orcas Island schools. The school performance will be followed by an acting workshop presented by the company, aimed at students and adults.
The Stage on the Green, located in the heart of the island, will be home to numerous festival activities all day
Seattle Shakespeare Company
Saturday, March 23, including stage performances and music of the period. That evening, a performance of Julius Caesar will be presented at the island’s version of “The Globe” – the 200-seat Orcas Center, the community’s performing arts facility. Tickets for the March 23 performance of Julius Caesar will go on sale in January, and will be available through the Orcas Center Box Office (360-376-2281) or its website http://www.OrcasCenter.org. Tickets will also be available at Brown Paper Tickets (http://www.brownpapertickets.com/)
Orcas Island, one of the San Juan Islands, is famous for its natural beauty, and is often referred to as the “Gem of the San Juans.”
“With an amazing variety of talented local artists, Orcas has earned the reputation as an ‘Island for the Arts,’ and this year’s Shakespeare Festival will only add to that reputation. And it doesn’t hurt we have our own William Shakespeare for the event,” Marshall said.
Orcas Island Events 