ATHENS, WV (LOOTPRESS) — The Appalachian Shakespeare Project will mark its 16th season this summer with a production of William Shakespeare’s classic history play King Henry the Fifth. Performances are scheduled at Pipestem Resort State Park on July 18 and 19 at 6 p.m., and July 20 at 2 p.m., followed by a second weekend run at Concord University in front of the Alexander Fine Arts building on July 25 and 26 at 6 p.m., and July 27 at 2 p.m.
The production, free and open to the public, invites audiences to experience one of Shakespeare’s most thrilling historical dramas, complete with medieval and Renaissance costumes, live swordplay, romance, and the Bard’s signature wordplay.
“King Henry the Fifth is one of Shakespeare’s most exciting and beloved plays,” said Dr. Gabriel Rieger, Executive Director of the project and a professor at Concord University. “We’re aiming to bring that excitement to life with an incredibly talented cast and creative team.”
The show tells the story of the English monarch Henry V and his famed military campaign in France, exploring themes of leadership, courage, and transformation. The production will feature outdoor staging, natural lighting, and limited scenery in keeping with the minimalist, actor-focused style of Shakespeare’s own time.
Joining Rieger is assistant director Lexi Hall, a Concord theater student and member of Alpha Psi Omega. Hall said the experience of directing and choreographing scenes in King Henry the Fifth has pushed her growth as a theater artist.
The cast includes a mix of newcomers and returning performers. Jonathan Schwitzerlette, a Concord student making his debut with the troupe, plays a central role in the production. Returning actors include Alex Lucas, who takes on the dual roles of the Dauphin and Pistol, and Karen Harvey, who reprises her place in the ensemble as the Queen of France.
The Appalachian Shakespeare Project was founded in 2010 to provide enriching, accessible outdoor performances of Shakespeare’s plays in southern West Virginia. Past productions include A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet, and Twelfth Night.
Audiences are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets and arrive early with picnic dinners. The production is expected to run approximately two and a half hours.
For more information, contact Dr. Gabriel Rieger at grieger@concord.edu or call (304) 384-5251.
