ILLINOIS’ NUMBER ONE
CULTURAL ATTRACTION
STEVEN YOUNG RETURNS TO SHAKE-
SPEARE FESTIVAL TO REPRISE ROLE IN
HENRY IV
By Samantha Ghuneim
May 5, 2018
Steven Young
For some, acting is a hobby, but for Steven Young, acting is
his life. By the time he was in college, Young knew that he
wanted to pursue acting as an official career.
Young has acted in hundreds of plays including a one man
show, “Agony and Ecstasy of Steve Jobs” at the Amphibian
Stage Productions. He has taken on over fifty Shakespear-
ian roles, but his most famous role is Falstaff from “Henry
IV.” He won Best Support Actor for this portrayal, and is
returning to the Illinois Shakespeare Festival to reprise his
role this year.
“The Shakespeare Festival is one of my favorite events of
the year. It’s where I started, so coming back to ISU is one
of my favorite things to do. I love seeing how much this
festival has developed.” Young said.
It’s exciting to have Steven Young come back to the Illinois
Shakespeare Festival because it shows kids from Central
Illinois that if they really want to pursue something, they
can. Anything is possible. Young started at the Illinois
Shakespeare Festival after his undergraduate career and
has been successful in his acting career since.
Steven Young in past production of
“Henry IV”
Young’s success did not come too easily though. With a
lot of hard work and determination, he has become the
great actor that he is today. He attended the University of
Wisconsin in Milwaukee as an actor and eventually went
on to Professional Theatre Training and receive an MFA
in directing from Illinois State University. While at ISU, he
discovered the Illinois Shakespeare Festival and did several
shows with them.
After college, he went on to do work in the field. His most
notable written work is The King’s Face, which has won sev-
eral awards. Along with his award winning pieces, he also
works avidly in Dallas. There, he most recently performed
a full length version of Obscenity which was developed at
MATC Plays in Progress Workshop.
Young has a broad spectrum of experience in the the-
atre world. He was a director at Cambridge and Stamford
Shakespeare Festivals in the United Kingdom. He also took
a part in the Chicago Shakespeare Project, The America
Southwest Theatre Company, New American Theatre, and
The Illinois Shakespeare Festival. He served three times as
an artistic director for Chicago’s Boer Rebellion Ensemble
as well, which was noted as “one of the cities fifteen best
companies.”
Don’t miss Steven Young’s performance as Falstaff in The
Illinois Shakespeare Festival’s production of Henry IV start-
ing on July 12 to July 14.
 MAKE OUR COMMUNITY
YOUR’S
JOIN THE
TEAM!
By Samantha Ghuneim
Photo courtesy of the Illinois Shakespeare Festival

Interested in becoming a company member? It’s as easy as DONATE TO US

1, 2, 3. The company works six days a week with Mondays
off. There are indoor rehearsals that happen at the Illinois
State University’s Centennial East building and the Center
for the Performing Arts. The departments that require
work include the costume shop, scene shop, metals area,
paint area, craft room, dye room, callboards, and office
spaces. Transportation and travel will be provided for
team members. If you want to apply, go to www.illinois-
shakes.com/employment/ to find out more information,
and don’t miss the Illinois Shakespeare Festival this sum-
mer starting in July!
By Samantha Ghuneim
Tickets only cover so much for the Illinois Shakespeare
Festival, and we love bringing out new productions ev-
ery year, so make a donation to become a member of the
Illinois Shakespeare Festival! A 50-dollar donation guar-
antees a membership and all its benefits. Benefits include
parking preference, priority choice of tickets, free ticket
exchanges, and honorable recognition in our 2018 season
program. Make your donation by May 15 by contacting
Bill Prenevost, Managing Director at 309-438-8697.

Photo Courtesy of WGLT

Ewing Manor Theatre, Photo Courtesy of the Illinois

Shakespeare Festival Illinois Shakespeare Festival
Campus Box 5700
Normal, Il 61790-5700
Contact Us
June 11, 2018

The Pantagraph
Dan Craft
dcraft@pantagraph.com

Dear Mr. Craft,

I am reaching out in hopes that you will cover the 2018 summer Illinois Shakespeare Festival. It
will take place June 30 and continue through August 11. Productions will be held at the Ewing
Cultural Center and the Center for Performing Arts at Illinois State University. The festival will
showcase multiple plays and improvised Shakespeare, a one-man circus and interactive activities
for the younger audience tickets are currently available at IllinoisShakes.com.
In order to promote the event, I have incorporated some story angles to help create content for
your News Release.
O Normal, Normal, wherefore art though Normal?: The improvised Shakespeare company
returns to showcase work of William Shakespeare’s most popular plays. The shows will be held
at the Ewing Cultural Center and also at the Center for Performing Arts of Illinois State
University. The festival also features comedy, interactive audience performances like a one-man
circus and theater for young audiences.
A younger theater: Meet Abraham Lincoln and William Shakespeare at the Double, Double, a
show specifically for young theater fanatics. Everyone is welcomed to take part in the interactive
and exciting performance. Discover Lincoln’s life changing decision that will change the life of
his country.
Shakespeare’s most unknown humorous plays: The rowdy inventive cast presents improvised
Shakespearean masterworks for the audience. Everything is spontaneous and not planned-out.
The nationally recognized group doesn’t fail to make laugher fill the room.
Known that you have covered this event in the past, your work has described it perfectly. I would
appreciate it if you continued that. For more information about the event, feel free to contact me
by email or by phone.

Thank you,

Nadia Pantaleon
(773) 954-1237
npantal@ilstu.edu
Daniel Myers
Email: djmyer3@ilstu.edu
Phone: (309) 363-2084

FOR IMMIDIATE RELEASE

Shakespeare’s Comedic Classic Comes to Bloomington

NORMAL, Ill. June 11, 2018- The Illinois Shakespeare Festival presents “The Merry Wives of
Windsor” at the Ewing Theatre in Bloomington Illinois. ISF’s Deanna Jent will direct this classic
by William Shakespeare on July 5, 6, 7, 17, 18, 25, 28, 31 and August 3, 4 and 9.

“Audiences this summer are going to be thrilled to watch one of Shakespeare’s most ridiculous
but loveable characters,” explains ISF Artistic Director John Stark. “We have festival veteran
Steven Young returning to play the main character, Falstaff. Mr. Young is sure to impress
audiences with this role.”

This comedic performance tells the tale of Sir. John Falstaff, a character who appears in five of
Shakespeare’s plays. Falstaff arrives in the town of Windsor with no money. Prompting him to
pursue two wealthy wives. The wives’ rejection of Falstaff makes for classic comedy.

The performance will be held at Ewing Theatre on the grounds of the Ewing Cultural Center.
Located at 48 Sunset Road in Bloomington Illinois. The Ewing grounds are both beautiful and
rich in local history. The theatre provides ample seating, beautiful open air structure and is
perfect for outdoor performances.

Audiences have the option to purchase either individual or season tickets. Individual tickets for
Illinois Shakespeare Festival productions are $20, $35 and $54, depending on seating. Season
tickets at ISF are $40, $70 and $109, depending on seating.

For additional information and to purchase tickets please visit www.illinoisshakes.com. Or call
309-438-2535.

###

About Illinois Shakespeare Festival

The Illinois Shakespeare Festival originated in 1978 as modest productions being held on the
grounds of Ewing Manor in Bloomington Illinois. ISF has since grown into a cultural
masterpiece for both Bloomington and the state of Illinois. The organization strives to produce
new and energetic interpretations of theatrical works, engaging audiences and artists with the
works of Shakespeare as a constant centerpiece.
Daniel Myers
Email: djmyer3@ilstu.edu
Phone: (309) 363-2084

FOR IMMIDIATE RELEASE

Historical Play Performed in Bloomington This Summer

NORMAL, Ill. June 11, 2018- The Illinois Shakespeare Festival is ecstatic to present “Henry V”
at the Ewing Theatre in Bloomington Illinois. Performances will be offered on July 12, 13, 14,
24, 27 as well as August 2, and 10. This classic by William Shakespeare will be directed by
ISF’s Karen Kessler.

“Henry V” is one of Shakespeare’s history plays telling the story of King Henry V of England.
The performance will tell the story of King Henry V and his attempt to win the Battle of
Angicourt and win the heart of a French princess.

“We are all extremely excited to be performing “Henry V,’” says Director Karen Kessler. “Lead
actor, Jordan Coughtry, is very prepared for his role and I know audiences are going to love this
performance.”

The performance will be held at Ewing Theatre on the grounds of the Ewing Cultural Center.
Located at 48 Sunset Road in Bloomington Illinois. The Ewing grounds are both beautiful and
rich in local history. The theatre provides ample seating, beautiful open air structure and is
perfect for outdoor performances.

Audiences have the option to purchase either individual or season tickets. Individual tickets for
Illinois Shakespeare Festival productions are $20, $35 and $54, depending on seating. Season
tickets at ISF are $40, $70 and $109, depending on seating.

For additional information and ticket purchases please visit www.illinoisshakes.com or call 309-
438-2535.

###

About Illinois Shakespeare Festival

The Illinois Shakespeare Festival originated in 1978 as modest productions being held on the
grounds of Ewing Manor in Bloomington Illinois. ISF has since grown into a cultural
masterpiece for both Bloomington and the state of Illinois. The organization strives to produce
new and energetic interpretations of theatrical works, engaging audiences and artists with the
works of Shakespeare as a constant centerpiece.
Daniel Myers
Email: djmyer3@ilstu.edu
Phone: (309) 363-2084

FOR IMMIDIATE RELEASE

Illinois Shakespeare Festival Performs Award Winning Romantic Comedy

NORMAL, Ill. June 11, 2018- The Illinois Shakespeare Festival is full of excitement as it
prepares to perform “Shakespeare in Love.” The award winning romantic comedy by Tom
Stoppard and Marc Norman will be directed by ISF’s Marti Lyons. Performances will be held at
the Center for Performing Arts in Normal Illinois on July 19, 20, 21, 22, 26, and 29 at 2 p.m. and
August 1, 7, and 11 at 2 p.m.

“Shakespeare in Love” tells the story of how a young William Shakespeare met his
inspiration for what became the world’s greatest love story, “Romeo and Juliet.” The play is both
heartwarming and hilarious.

“This play is a little bit different from what we typically perform at ISF,” says Director Marti
Lyons. “It is going to shake things up a bit and be the perfect romantic comedy for those warm
summer nights.”

ISF will be performing this play at the Center for Performing Arts on the Illinois State University
Campus. The large performance hall offers excellent seating and ample parking. Being that the
theatre is indoors, audiences do not need to be as concerned about weather conditions.

Audiences have the option to purchase either individual or season tickets. Individual tickets for
Illinois Shakespeare Festival productions are $20, $35 and $54, depending on seating. Season
tickets at ISF are $40, $70 and $109, depending on seating.

For additional information and ticket purchases please visit www.illinoisshakes.com or call 309-
438-2535.

###

About Illinois Shakespeare Festival

The Illinois Shakespeare Festival originated in 1978 as modest productions being held on the
grounds of Ewing Manor in Bloomington Illinois. ISF has since grown into a cultural
masterpiece for both Bloomington and the state of Illinois. The organization strives to produce
new and energetic interpretations of theatrical works, engaging audiences and artists with the
works of Shakespeare as a constant centerpiece.
Use: May July 5 – July 12
Time: 30 seconds
Organization: Illinois Shakespeare Festival
Titles: Henry IV to Be Performed At Illinois Shakespeare Festival

COME OUT TO WATCH THE ILLINOIS SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL’S INTERPRETATION OF

HENRY IV PARTS 1 & 2 DIRECTED BY KAREN KESSLER FROM JULY 12 TO JULY 14 AT

EWING THEATRE. WATCH AS KING HENRY, PLAYED BY JORDAN COUGHTRY BATTLES

WITH HIS BROTHERS IN AGINCOURT AND TRIES TO WIN THE HEART OF A FRENCH

PRINCESS.

Use: May July 5 – July 12

Time: 30 seconds
Organization: Illinois Shakespeare Festival
Titles: Festival Veteran Returns to Reprise Role in The Merry Wives of Windsor

BRACE YOURSELVES FOR ONE OF SHAKESPEARE’S MOST FARCICAL PLAYS, THE MERRY

WIVES OF WINDSOR. THIS PRODUCTION IS SET TO RUN FROM JULY 5 TO JULY 7 AT

EWING THEATRE UNDER THE DIRECTION OF DEANNA JENT AND WILL FEATURE

FESTIVAL VETERAN, STEVEN YOUNG, TO REPRISE HIS PORTRAYAL OF FALSTAFF.

Use: May July 5 – July 12

Time: 30 seconds
Organization: Illinois Shakespeare Festival
Titles: Fall in Love with Award Winning Screenplay Shakespeare in Love

THE ILLINOIS SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL WILL CELEBRATE THE AWARD WINNING

SCREENPLAY WRITTEN BY TOM STOPPARD BY FEATURING THEIR ADAPTATION OF

SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE. GET WHISKED AWAY BY THIS STORY OF AN ELIZABETHAN

WORLD WHERE A YOUNG MAN MEETS HIS MUSE FOR THE WORLD’S GREATEST LOVE

STORY. EXPLORE THE LEGENDS OF AN ERA WITH ROMANCE AND COMEDY IN THIS

GENIUS SCREENPLAY DIRECTED BY MARTI LYONS BEGINNING JULY 19 UNTIL JULY 22.
Backgrounder
History

The Illinois Shakespeare Festival originated in 1978 as modest productions being

performed on the tennis courts of Ewing Manor at the Ewing Cultural Center in Bloomington
Illinois. In the early 1970’s, ISU Theatre Department Chairperson, Cal Printer, developed the
idea for a Shakespeare festival on the Ewing Cultural Center grounds. By the mid 1970’s Printer
had convinced Charles Bolen, the Dean of the College of Fine Arts, to support a collaborative
Shakespeare festival project. Support and enthusiasm by the president of the Illinois State
University Foundation at the time, Tom Jacob, finalized the formation of the project. The Illinois
Shakespeare Festival opened on a warm July evening in 1978. Since its beginning 6 different
artistic directors have staged 124 productions for the Illinois Shakespeare Festival. In the forty
years since its opening, the Illinois Shakespeare Festival has performed all but two of
Shakespeare’s plays.

Leadership
At the head of the Illinois Shakespeare Festival is Managing Director, William Prenevost.
Prenevost brought 25 years of experience in the arts with him when he joined ISF in January
2017. Directing performances for ISF is Artistic Director John Stark. Assisting Mr. Stark is
Associate Artistic Director Robert Quinlan. Founding member Janet Wilson takes on the role of
producer for ISF. New to ISF this season is Elena Hansen taking the role of production manager.
Box office manager Nick Benson joined ISF in the fall of 2017. Assisting ISF is the dean of the
College of Fine Arts at Illinois State University, Jean Miller.

Today
The Illinois Shakespeare Festival continues to grow, develop and bring in audiences from
all over the state. Today ISF offers much more than theatrical performances. ISF offers free
plays for young audiences during the summer season. In addition community outreach by ISF
has become a year round activity. This outreach includes summer camps for young people,
lectures that are held at the Ewing Theatre, and touring short productions to schools and summer
camps. For more information on the Illinois Shakespeare Festival please visit
www.illinoisshakes.com.
Company Backgrounder

In the 70’s, Illinois State University’s Department of Theatre’s Chairperson, Cal Pritner, had a
particular dream. He had the idea of celebrating all kinds of Shakespearean plays, as a way to
enrich the art scene of Central Illinois.
The Illinois Shakespeare Festival started out at the Ewing Manor in Bloomington Illinois. It
started small: a theatre with folding chairs that could only hold up to about 250 patrons, who
were mostly ISU students. With the rising awareness on campus, Pritner’s dream was slowly
starting to become a reality. He would show the grounds of the Ewing Manor to various guests,
sharing his idea of a Shakespeare Festival. It was not until 1973 when Don LaCasse, another
member of the Theatre Department board, began to assist Pritner in building this. He came with a
plan to actually get a plan for everything that would eventually become the Illinois Shakespeare
Festival.
By the mid 70’s, Cal had convinced Charles Bolen, the Dean of the College of Fine Arts, to
support this. With official recognition from the school, they were able to get a budget from Tom
Jacob, then President of the ISU foundation. This was the final key to actually get the gears
going for the Illinois Shakespeare Festival. By 1983, The Illinois Shakespeare Festival Society
was officially formed by Bloomington-Normal community members who assured financial
support for the festival to succeed.
Forty years later, the Illinois Shakespeare Festival has produced all but two Shakespeare plays.
They have had shows every single year with a total of 124 productions under the direction of six
different artistic directors. Cal Pritner was the festival’s first director, and the current director for
this year is John C. Stark, who has had the position since 2017. The company also features
professional actors and interns along with Illinois State University students. Some notable actors
from the past are Gary Cole and Tom Irwin from the Steppenwolf Theatre, Tim Russ from Star
Trek: Voyager Series, and Steven Young, who is reprising his role as Falstaff at this year’s
festival.
The Illinois Shakespeare Festival’s primary goal is to bring quality and accessible productions of
Shakespeare to Central Illinois. They have several programs throughout the year like
Shakespeare Alive! an Initiative for kids to learn more about Shakespeare plays through free
productions every Wednesday during the summer.
June 30- August 11

Illinois
Shakespear
Festival

2018
Calling all Shakespeare lovers. . .
The Illinois Shakespeare Festivals invites you to
join us for the summer 2018 season.

July 19, 20, 21, 22 at 2 p.m., 25 at 2

p.m., 26, 29 at 2 p.m.
August 1, 7, 11

July 5, 6, 7, 17, 18, 25, 28, 31

August 3, 4, 9

July 12, 13, 14, 24,27

August 2, 10

For tickets call 309-438-2535