Shakespeare’s 453^rd Birthday Bash

Recycled Shakespeare Company is planning Shakespeare's 453rd Birthday Bash on Saturday, April 22. We will be walking through Downtown Waterville, stopping along the way to read some of Shakespeare's sonnets.

The event begins at the Waterville Public Library, followed by a Shakespeare period costumed parade through the Concourse, Silver Street, and the South End of Main Street. Then the group will congregate at the Common Street Arts gallery for sonnet reading, songs, and monologues. Finally, the night will end with a Masquerade Ball at Blue Wave Studio! This all-day event is for any age. For more information or to sign up for sonnet reading, visit the Recycled Shakespeare Company Facebook event page!

Anyone of any age can sign up to read one or as many sonnets as they would like. If you have a favorite sonnet, let me know (they will be first come first serve), or I can assign one to you. You will have your sonnet in advance so you can practice, but you do not have to have it memorized.

Each sonnet is 14 lines and takes about a minute to read. You will have a microphone and I bring copies of the sonnets to the event, so you won't have to worry about remembering to put it in the pocket of your costume. (Costumes are encouraged, but not required. When I give you your sonnet number I will also give you suggestions for how to make a Shakespearean-style costume out of items in your closet.)

Please let me know how many sonnets you would like to read and what time (10am-5pm) you are available.

Should you want to sign up for a particular sonnet, here are the available times and sonnets:

• 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.: Sonnets 1-60
• 12 p.m.- 2 p.m.: Sonnets 61-106
• 2 p.m. - 3 p.m.: Sonnets 107-126
• 3 p.m. - 3:45 p.m.: Special Performance
• 3:45 p.m.- 5 p.m.: Sonnets 127-154

Our Mission: To entertain the community on a minimal budget, while relying primarily on used and recycled materials, local enthusiasts, and royalty-free productions. Let's party like it's 1599!