Shakespeare, bagpipes, sword fights, and more at Grove Park

On Saturday, Sept. 7, Public Arts Midland and Creative 360 will host the inaugural Performance in the Park, a day-long celebration of the performing arts at Grove Park in Midland. The event will showcase local actors performing Shakespeare’s "The Comedy of Errors", along with a variety of performances from regional talent.

The festivities begin at noon with the first of two performances of "The Comedy of Errors". This classic Shakespearean comedy has been given a modern twist to make it more accessible and entertaining for today’s audience

“Our vision is to produce Shakespeare that is accessible to everyone, and we have a special twist to the original play that will definitely increase understanding and make you laugh,” says the show’s director, and Creative 360’s Performance Events Coordinator, Laura Brigham. “The Comedy of Errors is the perfect show for everyone. It is big and silly and filled with mistaken identities and physical comedy.”

In addition to the Shakespeare performance, the day’s schedule includes:
  • The White Pines Celtic Bagpipers at 2:30 p.m.
  • A sword fighting demonstration by The Friction Theatre Company at 3:00 p.m.
  • Devised modern Shakespeare performance by EVOC Productions at 3:30 p.m.
  • A presentation of Indian dance by Sangeeta’s Dance & Music of India at 4:00 p.m.
  • Recitation of Shakespeare’s sonnets by Vanishing Elephant Players at 4:30 p.m.
Throughout the day, traveling troubadour Brightyn Jude will entertain guests with guitar, ukulele, and vocals, while a live woodworking demonstration will add to the festive atmosphere. The second performance will close out the day at 5:00 p.m.

Designed to be accessible to all, Grove Park was chosen as centrally located site featuring the newly opened, Changing Places fully accessible restroom facilities. 

All performances are free of charge. The event is expected to become an annual tradition in Midland.

About Public Arts Midland:
Public Arts Midland, an initiative of the Midland Area Community Foundation, fosters connections through public art, believing that art can heal, inspire, and strengthen communities.

About Creative 360:
Founded in 1994, Creative 360 is a nonprofit organization dedicated to arts and wellness, providing inclusive spaces for creativity and personal growth. 
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Read more articles by Misty Barron.

Misty Barron is a Mid-Michigan native who has proudly called Midland her home for the past six years. She served as Editor-in-Chief for the Delta Collegiate, where she earned various awards for her writing, including Journalist of the Year in 2023 from the Michigan Community College Press Association. In her free time, Misty enjoys spending time with family and friends and enjoying all our beautiful state has to offer.