One of the basic tenets of the Midsommer Flight philosophy is to keep our shows free and accessible to everyone.  That’s why our performances are presented free of charge, out in the open in public parks, where anyone can stop by and see Shakespeare’s amazing stories told by an excited and passionate troupe of actors.

With our first show last year, we witnessed firsthand the impact that this kind of work can have on the community.  Kids hanging out in the park became interested and engaged in our work.  As actors came to rehearsals in the park, neighborhood kids stopped them to ask questions about the show.  Those same kids sat, rapt, watching us during rehearsals, and they came back to see the full play once we began performances.  We reached an audience that truly reflected the community we were in. At the end of the summer, this impact was recognized by the Chicago City Council when they adopted a resolution to honor our “dedication to bringing the arts to underserved communities.”

If you agree with us that Shakespeare in the park should be free and accessible to all, then please consider making a contribution to support our work.  Even on a shoestring, producing a play has financial considerations.  There are costumes, props, marketing materials, and so many other costs that have to be covered to make the show happen.

To support our production of Romeo and Juliet this summer, please check out our fundraising campaign. A donation of any amount will help us reach our goal.  In return, you’ll receive our public gratitude with your name listed on the Special Thanks section of this website.

You can be a part of our mission to keep Shakespeare in the park free and accessible to all. You can help make the show happen!

The overwhelmingly positive response to our work last summer, which reached close to 300 audience members plus numerous other passersby, and which resulted in official recognition from the Chicago City Council, has led this little Shakespeare in the park adventure to begin to expand.  Partially that means making plans for a new production in summer 2013 with an even bigger community reach than last year. In addition, it means beginning to lay more formal administrative groundwork for the company to grow. 

So, we are embarking on the process of incorporating Midsommer Flight as a not-for-profit corporation.  This will allow us to handle some of the administrative realities of producing theatre with more ease.  It is also a big step for an endeavor that started last summer as a little passion project, but has been met with a huge show of support from the community.

A big part of incorporating the company means bringing together a Board of Directors.  Producing Artistic Director Beth Wolf is joined by arts supporters Nick Dlouhy, Christopher Lentino, Sarah Snow, and Zack Whittington to form the founding Board of Directors of Midsommer Flight.  Their support and enthusiasm for our mission to bring Shakespeare in the park to Chicago communities will be vital as Midsommer Flight begins to grow.  Welcome Nick, Chris, Sarah and Zack to the Midsommer Flight family!

The process of incorporation and application for tax exempt status won’t happen overnight; it can take six months or longer.  We will certainly post updates as we accomplish milestones along the way.  Wish us luck!

We are surprised and delighted that the Chicago City Council has adopted a resolution in honor of Midsommer Flight! Presented at a meeting of the city council on September 12, 2012, it bears the seal of the City of Chicago and is co-signed by Mayor Rahm Emanuel and City Clerk Susana A. Mendoza.

The resolution reads:

A resolution adopted by The City Council of the City of Chicago, Illinois

Presented by Alderman Edward M. Burke on September 12, 2012

Whereas, Midsommer Flight, Chicago’s newest theater company, recently held its inaugural series of performances at Touhy Park in the Rogers Park community; and

Whereas, The Chicago City Council has been informed of this event by Alderman Edward M. Burke; and

Whereas, Midsommer Flight is a Chicago theater collective dedicated to bringing the arts into Chicago neighborhoods by producing outdoor performances by England’s most famous playwright, William Shakespeare; and

Whereas, The highly talented group, headed by Founder and Director Beth Wolf, gracefully staged four performances of A Midsummer Night’s Dream over two weekends during the month of August; and

Whereas, Despite dealing with inclement weather during one of the performances, the performers plied their trade for the large, brave audience; and

Whereas, The cast featured actors Jared Dennis, Ross Patrick Frawley, Adrian Garcia Jr., Adam Habben, Annie Hogan, Caroline Kingsley, Anne Korajczyk Lentino, Jason Markoff, Kelsey Melvin, Ken Miller, J. Preddie Predmore, Jeannie Saracino, and Stephanie Shum; and

Whereas, The free performances were watched by crowds of picnickers and preceded by musical guests, including guitarist and singer David Fink, singer and songwriter Clare Adella, the folk duo Duck and Goose, as well as solo singer and guitarist Morgan Foster; and

Whereas, As a newly established arts partner of the Chicago Park District, Midsommer Flight plans to offer educational theater classes at Touhy Park during the months of September and October; and

Whereas, Midsommer Flight hopes to continue to provide an outlet for the arts throughout additional neighborhoods in the future; now, therefore

Be it resolved, That we, the Mayor and the members of the Chicago City Council, assembled this twelfth day of September, 2012, do hereby honor the Midsommer Flight theater troupe on their dedication to bringing the arts to underserved communities; and

Be it further resolved, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Beth Wolf, Founder and Director of the Midsommer Flight theater troupe.

Rahm Emanuel, Mayor
Susana A. Mendoza, City Clerk