Shakespeare in Wyoming, as you like it

What can two actors do with a bare stage, a few costume pieces, a ladder and the immortal language of William Shakespeare? They can inhabit the Forest of Arden, a castle in Elsinore or a balcony in fair Verona.

Alice Wilkinson and Nicholas DiPuma do just that in “Shakespeare’s Greatest Scenes,” a roughly one-hour sprint through five Shakespeare plays touring Fremont County schools, libraries and other venues this month. The free 20-show run began March 5 and wraps up March 21, with free public workshops also offered.

“The goal really being to make Shakespeare free and accessible and to just reach as many people as possible,” Wilkinson said.

The tour marks a comeback for the Wyoming Shakespeare Festival Company, which went dormant following the 2024 death of co-founder Diane Springford. After regrouping, the company is working to reignite community theater.

The performance includes scenes from “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” “Romeo and Juliet,” “Hamlet,” “As You Like It,” and “The Taming of the Shrew.” Talk-backs follow performances, and workshops explore the craft through group exercises. There is music, cross-dressing, comedy and iconic lines—such stuff as dreams are made on.

Wilkinson and DiPuma met working at the Texas Shakespeare Festival, where Wilkinson fell in love with performing for kids and seeing the impact it can have. “Rural places deserve theater just as much as urban places do,” she said.