Sure, when you hear “Shakespeare in the Park” you might think of massive lines and Central Park, but The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey’s brings his plays to right here to the Garden State without having to brave all that bridge and tunnel traffic.

The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey’s Next Stage Ensemble brings abridged performances of The Taming of the Shrew to three different Union County parks this summer.

Sunday, July 16th at 1pm – Shakespeare Garden at Cedar Brook Park, Plainfield
Sunday, July 23rd at 7pm – Raymond Wood Bauer Promenade (Amphitheatre), Linden
Friday, August 4th at 7pm – Echo Lake Park, Mountainside

“The Next Stage Ensemble, the Shakespeare Theatre’s summer touring company of early career actors, is part of the Theatre’s Summer Professional Training Program which offers students working toward a career in the performing arts clear instruction, individual attention, and thoughtful and candid evaluation in a professional theatre environment. The Next Stage Ensemble works with The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey’s resident and guest directors on two fully developed productions of abridged classic plays. The troupe tours to various locations throughout the state – including libraries, retirement homes and community centers.

The acclaimed Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey is an independent, professional theatre company located on the Drew University campus. One of the leading Shakespeare theatres in the nation, serving 100,000 adults and children annually, it is New Jersey’s largest professional theatre company dedicated solely to Shakespeare’s canon and other world classics. Through its distinguished productions and education programs, the company strives to illuminate the universal and lasting relevance of the classics for contemporary audiences.”