Long before American Players Theater made Spring Green the Shakespeare capital of Wisconsin, that distinction belonged to Rock County, thanks to Milton College’s long tradition of annual Shakespeare performances through much of the 20th Century.
In honor of what would be Milton College’s sesquicentennial, Shakespeare returns to Milton in June with a special performance of “As You Like It.” The Milton College Preservation Society is presenting the play at CrossPointe Community Church, the site of the former Dunn Athletic Center on the college campus, on June 23 and 24 at 7 pm. Professional actor and director Michael Chase has signed on to cast and direct the shows.
Auditions will take place at Main Hall, 513 College Street on the former college campus, on April 8 and 9 at 2 pm. Eleven actors, males and females aged 20-50, will be cast for roles.
First opening as an academy in 1844, Milton College was chartered in 1867. From 1905 to 1969, Milton College boasted the longest continuous run of college-acted Shakespeare performances in the nation. The streak was broken in 1970, but Shakespeare returned for “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” in 1976 and “Romeo and Juliet” in 1977, the final campus presentation before the school closed in 1982.
“As You Like It,” a romantic comedy with music, dance and disguises, was performed for the college’s special 50th anniversary celebration in 1917, making it a natural choice for Milton’s Shakespeare revival 100 years later. The play was also presented six other times between 1907 and 1965.
Tickets are $15 for the general public and $12 for seniors, students and Milton College Preservation Society members. Tickets may be purchased online at Eventbrite.com or at Main Hall during office hours, Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, 10 am – 4 pm. More information can be found on the Milton College Preservation Society Facebook page or at www.MiltonCollege.org.
The Milton College Preservation Society maintains Milton College historic memorabilia and records, and operates Main Hall as a museum of Milton College history.
