Cool Evenings for This Year’s NCAC Shakespeare in the Park

By: Betsy Reason

Pack a picnic and grab your lawn chairs and blankets and head for Federal Hill Commons for Noblesville Shakespeare in the Park in its 31st year.

Noblesville Cultural Arts Commission presents William Shakespeare’s comedy, “As You Like It,” beginning tonight and continuing nightly through Saturday at the downtown park.

Shakespeare fans who regularly attend this outdoor theatrical production — the second-oldest Shakespeare in the Park program in Indiana and the oldest in Central Indiana — will find these early fall performances more “cool and comfortable” for sitting on the lawn.

While Shakespeare moved to September, mostly for scheduling reasons with the Noblesville Parks Department, the show’s weather is bound to be more pleasant for patrons and actors who are clothed in Elizabethan costumes.

“This year, the weather is much more enjoyable for both the company and the patrons,” Otterman said. She’s in her fourth season directing Noblesville Shakespeare in the Park, which also moves its start time up to 7:30 p.m. this season, to accommodate the earlier sunset.

Otterman talked about her love for directing Shakespeare in the Park.

“It is a most enjoyable job to be the director of NCAC’s Shakespeare in the Park. I love working with Rob Heighway, the assistant director (and backstage crew member), as he has talent skills and knowledge. He is a master carpenter and can build any pieces of scenery we need,” said Otterman, who knows Heighway “from many years ago” where they worked together as actors at The Red Barn Summer Theatre.

For this show, Heighway has constructed five 10-foot trees, as a portion of the play takes place in the forest of Arden. Those were on the Shakespeare set beginning Sunday and proved interesting, she said, to adapt the action around the trees just three days before opening night.

Otterman also enjoys working with her co-producers Joni Corbett and Ka’Lena Cuevas, “both competent women who I very much respect.” Corbett is NCAC’s board president.

“In addition, we are fortunate to have very talented actors audition, and they are so wonderful to work with, very cooperative in taking direction and giving their best,” Otterman said.

The director chooses the show each year. “We try to select a comedy every other year,” Otterman said. “Last year, we produced ‘Hamlet,’ so this year was time for a comedy. Since last year’s show had a very iconic role for a male, this year has one for a woman.”

How did she choose this year’s show?

“As You Like It” has been one of Otterman’s favorite Shakespeare plays ever since her daughter, a professional actress, played the role of Rosalind at a Vermont Summer Theatre a few years back.

Otterman, during rehearsals, is usually found sitting in her lawn chair watching close to the stage. “I enjoy having a large stage where the actors are not cramped or crowded.”

The cast has enjoyed rehearsals in air conditioning again this year at the Noblesville First UMC. During many years in the past, rehearsals were outdoors at Seminary Park, where productions took place until Federal Hill opened in 2017, on the 25th anniversary of Noblesville’s Shakespeare in the Park.

While the audience sitting on the lawn sees the fabulous end product of the show, those who are involved in the show know how much hard work goes into making all of this possible.

Weeks of rehearsals have gone on since auditions in August. Sets have been made. Props and costumes have been found or created. Lighting and sound have been “designed.” Mics have been added. Every day this week, crew members set up and break down the set.

And then it’s finally show time.

And then there is the weather. Being an outdoor show, weather always plays a role in the show, whether it be the heat or the rain. At press time, according to the weather forecast, there is a chance of rain tonight, but evenings the rest of this week look good.

Otterman has had a great time working with the cast and crew.

“The company has had several laughs while working moments of the show. There is a lot of flirting between characters. Rachel Kelson (as Rosalind) and Logan Laflin (as Orlando) have created a fascinating relationship, but I cannot really give details lest I spoil the unveiling for the audience,” Otterman said.

“There is a wrestling scene between Geoff Lynch (as Charles) and Logan (Laflin) where (fight choreographer) Eric Bryant has choreographed a fun exchange of physical prowess and humor,” she said. “The two actors picked up the moves in one-half hour of rehearsal with Eric’s coaching.”

Otterman said there are some family connections in the show. Two young people, who are part of the merry band of Duke Senior’s following who live in the forest with the banished Duke, are played by Rob Heighway’s grandson, Austin Heighway (on guitar and mandolin) and Kayla McKee (vocals), the daughter of Matt McKee, “who portrays Touchstone with adept hilarity.”

She said, “It is inspiring to see another generation of actors being introduced to Shakespeare in the Park.”

Otterman describes the cast and crew as a “tight, friendly family” and the experience “refreshing.” She said, “the entire rehearsal process has been delightful. I hope to work with all of them again some day.”

-Betsy Reason writes about people, places and things in Hamilton County. Contact The Times Editor Betsy Reason at betsy@thetimes24-7.com.

Want TO GO?

What: Noblesville Cultural Arts Commission’s annual Noblesville Shakespeare in the Park presents William Shakespeare’s “As You Like It,” directed by Noblesville’s Jen Otterman.

When: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday.

Where: Lawn of Federal Hill Commons, 175 Logan St., Noblesville.

How much: Free. Donations are welcome. Info: noblesvillearts.org.

MEET THE CAST

Orlando, Logan Laflin, Carmel; Adam, Paul Haskin, Indianapolis; Oliver, Nathan Haston, Noblesville; Charles, Geoff Lynch, Noblesville; Rosalind, Rachel Kelso, Indianapolis; Celia, Caroline Frawley, Carmel; Touchstone, Matt McKee, Whitestown; Duke Frederick, James Mellowitz, Indianapolis; Corin, Aaron Ploof, Noblesville; Silvius, Nathaniel Taff, Indianapolis; Jacques, Ryley Trottier, Indianapolis; Audrey, Brooke Hackman, Carmel; Phebe, Kelli Conkin,  Noblesville; Duke Senior, Chris Otterman, Noblesville; William, Adrian Blackwell, Noblesville; Vocals, Kayla McKee, Whitestown; and guitar/mandolin, Austin Heighway, Lawrence.

MEET THE CREW

Director, Jen Otterman, Noblesville; Assistant Director, Rob Heighway, Indianapolis; Producers, Joni Corbett of Noblesville and Ka’Lena Cuevas of Fishers; Crew, Rob Heighway of Indianapolis and David Heighway of Noblesville; Sound Design, Geoff Lynch, Noblesville; Light Design, Michael Totty, Noblesville; Properties, David Heighway, Noblesville; Costumes, Linda Grow, McCordsville; and Fight Choreography, Eric Bryant, Fishers.