Shakespeare in the Park: From Backyard to Celebrated Community Tradition

The first performance of Shakespeare in the Park actually began in a backyard in 2003. Two teens asked their mothers to teach them about Shakespeare. They gathered a small group of their peers and staged a scaled down production of The Tempest for friends. The performance even included the special effect of a garden hose spraying water at audience members.

Since this first performance staged in a backyard, Shakespeare in the Park has grown to become an annual community tradition. In 2022, TNT gave eight free public performances of Twelfth Night in Auburn, Lincoln, Rocklin, and Folsom. In all, nearly 5,000 people in the community saw the show in 2022!

LaRee Florence, founder and creative director of Take Note Troupe said the performances have changed over time.

“The staging has grown more imaginative,” she said. “Initially we went with Shakespearean costumes and followed the Globe Theater’s tack of minimal set pieces and no backgrounds.”

Florence said her favorite memory from the last 20 years of Shakespeare in the Park also involves the play The Tempest. The scene depicts Ariel, a fiery harpy, unleashed in a billowy cloud of fire.

“I would stand in the audience each night to listen for the audience’s gasp of astonishment,” Florence said. “It was both a powerful moment and also it was staged at a professional level — True artistry that all involved helped to create.”

Shakespeare is Still Relevant Today

According to Florence, TNT continues to perform William Shakespeare’s plays at the beginning of the summer season each year because he consistently addressed human nature and themes relevant to the overall human experience. She elaborated, “We may not have been betrayed as a king, but we can relate to the feeling of betrayal.”

“I think because he is revered as a playwright his works can still speak truths in ways that in our current culture could be watered down,” she said. “Also- his characters are exquisite and provide wonderful opportunities for our participants to develop their acting abilities.”

Florence said performance in Shakespeare in the Park and the practice of Play Theory is transformative for many participants.

“I have seen tremendous growth in youth who have aspired to participate and then followed through on their commitment. They are more responsible, generous, confident and empathetic — especially a lead in Shakespeare,” she said.

Florence said TNT will continue to stage Shakespeare as a service to the community.

“Some theaters like the Globe are committed to preserving the wording of Shakespeare’s cannon. TNT’s mission is not about preserving the text but rather introducing a new generation to Shakespeare’s works,” she said. “That’s one reason we take so much license with adding underscore and dances. Truthfully there is always a song and even dances noted in Shakespeare’s scripts but most companies interested in his language skip over those. In contrast, TNT amplifies them, making our Shakespeare in the Park something like a musical.”

Commemorating the 20th Anniversary of Shakespeare in the Park

Take Note Troupe commemorates the 20th anniversary of Shakespeare in the Park in 2023 with some special things. While TNT’s Shakespeare in the Park’s cast is typically made up of current high school students, this year TNT alumni were invited back to audition for Romeo & Juliet. Several cast members in the show are recent high school graduates who returned to perform with the cast this year. Other TNT alumni returned to emcee the performances of Romeo & Juliet this year. You may be spot them wearing special TNT alumni buttons made for the occasion.

Within this year’s Shakespeare in the Park production of Romeo & Juliet, veteran audience members may recognize familiar costume pieces. The masquerade scene in Romeo & Juliet features costume pieces from all 19 of the previous years of Shakespeare in the Park as a nod to the anniversary this year.

A slideshow of images from the last 19 years of Shakespeare productions allows audience members to take a walk down memory lane. Commemorative posters, designed by LaRee Florence and Truman Florence, also feature historical images from TNT’s Shakespeare in the Park. They are available for purchase at the TNT tent.

Take Note Troupe’s social media has featured fan art from previous shows. Auburn artist Dana Ross painted a watercolor piece to commemorate TNT’s anniversary. Ross attends TNT’s Shakespeare each year. She sketches and paints as she watches the show and shares her artwork on Instagram @congruity. Her original art is on display at Romeo & Juliet performances by the TNT tent.

To add to the fun at Romeo & Juliet performances TNT also has a 20th anniversary photo booth this year. Pick one of our props out and Let Go and Play with your group. Take a photo with your camera and share the TNT love with friends and family.

Shakespeare in the Park Runs on Volunteers

Florence has directed all the productions over the 20 years of Shakespeare in the Park almost exclusively with a few assistant directors over the years.

“I am blessed that I have had the margin in my life to make this contribution,” Florence said. “In the early days when I had children at home, the organization was not as large…it was easier to say ‘que sera, sera’ when the crowds were smaller. Now I feel the pressure to bring something as creative and entertaining as the year before and that pressure can get to me.”

Florence and the Take Note Troupe Board of Directors are all volunteers.

Florence said she would love to see more community members “help in the trenches” now that TNT has secured a dedicated rehearsal space.

“I would love to see more talented community members involved to help with the creative arm of the organization,” Florence said.