Shakespeare Performances: Montford Park Players in Asheville, North Carolina

Every summer throughout the months of June and July, the Montford Park Players perform two Shakespeare plays. The shows take place in downtown Asheville, North Carolina, at the Hazel B. Robinson Amphitheatre and run Friday through Sunday. One play runs each month. In addition to the plays each summer, the Montford Park Players also do an annual performance of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol.

The Montford Park Players are the longest running Shakespearian Thespian Group in North Carolina, bringing Asheville free Shakespeare since 1973. The organization runs on charitable contributions, and operates as a non-profit. In 1983, construction of the amphitheatre where they now perform was completed (then known as the Montford Amphitheatre, and the first play presented there was Romeo and Juliet.

In 1997, the City of Asheville celebrated its 200^th birthday, and to honor the city the Montford Park Players presented the oldest Shakespeare play on record, As You Like It. To show appreciation to the Montford Park Players and the Robinsons for their contributions to the City, Asheville renamed the Amphitheatre after Hazel. For more information, check out the website: www.montfordparkplayers.org.

If you are local to the area, I encourage you to audition for a part in an upcoming production. If you are not too fond of the stage, or coming to the area for a visit during the summer, definitely check out a production. You can volunteer with Montford Park Players doing a variety of things to help with the production if you do not want to act. The form to add your name to the list of volunteers can be found on the website. Concessions are provided at a nominal cost, and only two shows have ever been cancelled due to rain. If you ask me, the plays each summer are definitely the best free entertainment Asheville has to offer.

Personally knowing Hazel and John Robinson, the founders of Montford Park Players, I have worked with the program a couple of summers. While they are retired and no longer taking a front seat in productions, they are fantastic people and quite knowledgeable of the Shakespeare they perform. My husband has acted in a few shows many years ago, and I only wish we had the time to become more involved with the Board of Directors and such.

Many of the local residents are eagerly awaiting the announcement of the productions and audition dates for the 2008 season, and I cannot wait to hear it for myself. Keep your eyes and ears open for the word!