photo by Catherine Aceto
Performances for Shakespeare in the Parks with be Sept. 26 and 27.  King Lear show will start at 2 p.m. at Frick Park near Regent Square

The bard has been making appearances in Pittsburgh Parks, however while the real or fabricated William Shakespeare himself will not be in Steel City, his tragic play, “King Lear” will be. 

Point Park students are invited to attend a free performance of the play presented by Pittsburgh Shakespeare in the Parks. 

“These performances will help the audience gain a new appreciation for Shakespeare,” said Jennifer Tober, Artistic Director of Pittsburgh’s Shakespeare in the Parks.  

Tober, a New York native began facilitating performances of Shakespearean Plays in parks such as Frick, Arsenal and Schenley after Three Rivers Shakespeare folded in the 1990’s. Pittsburgh Shakespeare in the Parks has performed a myriad of Shakespearean plays including “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” “Macbeth” and “Romeo and Juliet.” 

“King Lear,” despite its contemporary popularity, is often regarded as the pinnacle of artistic achievements in Shakespeare’s career. The play focuses on the split of King Lear’s kingdom among his three daughters. 

Performances are meant to be physical and engaging to the audience.

Tober explains that Point Park students should take advantage of the free performances of “King Lear” as the experience is “really wonderful and romantic” and that many of the audience members “bring blankets and drinks.” 

“We love our Point Park kids,” Tober said. 

Point Park students are actively looking forward to attending the performances of “King Lear” so close to campus.  Alex Slowik, a freshman sports, arts & entertainment management (SAEM) major stated he only really experienced Shakespearean plays in high school.

“[I] would definitely be interested in knowing more information about the performances,” Slowik said.

Alyssa Grabowski, another freshman SAEM major also expressed that she would be interested in attending despite only having read a few Shakespearean plays in high school. 

“I have only read a few of Shakespeare’s pieces in high school,” Grabowski said, “including ‘Romeo and Juliet.’”

Grabowski explained that although “[she has] never attended a Pittsburgh Shakespeare in the Parks performance,” with more information, she could see many students attending. 

As a campus with an emphasis on the performing arts, Point Park students and alumni are not strangers to the Pittsburgh Shakespeare in the Parks performances. 

Moreover, current Point Park student Madelyn Tomko not only plays Goneril, King Lear’s ruthless older daughter, but also composed some of the original music. 

Tomko also emphasizes that the performances of Shakespeare in the Parks are not akin to high school English class, but rather a “fun, interactive way to experience Shakespeare.” 

The cast is relatively small, totaling around eight actors, and all of their skills and abilities are applied in the performances. Due to the nature of the performances, there are no costume changes but rather changes of colored fabric indicating change in mood, scene or plot. 

Performances are being held Sept. 5 through Sept. 27.  Performances at Schenley Park will run at 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday on Sept. 19 and 20. Performances at Frick Park run at 2 p.m. Saturday Sept. 26. The final performance at Frick Park will begin at 2 p.m. at Frick Park on Sept. 27.

Students are encouraged to visit www.pittsburghshakespeare.com to read about the actors involved, the upcoming performances and the history of Pittsburgh Shakespeare in the Parks.