The teacher will not scold you for being Bardy.

As part of the Chippewa Valley Theatre Guild’s annual Shakespeare Workshop, area high schoolers will take on one of the playwright’s earliest plays. The Comedy of Errors tells the story of not one, but two sets of identical twins, both accidentally separated at birth. Antipholus of Syracuse and his servant, Dromio of Syracuse, arrive in Ephesus, which turns out to be the home of their twin brothers, Antipholus of Ephesus and his servant, Dromio of Ephesus. From there it’s a series of wild mishaps based on mistaken identities leading to wrongful beatings, a near-seduction, the arrest of Antipholus of Ephesus, and accusations of infidelity, theft, madness, and demonic possession. The play is directed by UWEC Theatre and Education Department alumnus Rob Vanderloop, alongside instructors Gloria Fant, Theresa Kemp, and Matt Rightmire. The 40 students enrolled in the workshop are taught how to interpret the language, to envision stage design, and to perform the words of a complete Shakespearean play, all in less than two weeks. Performed in the traditional way, students have the opportunity to show off their special skills in the Marketplace scene. It will show at two different venues – one indoors at The Grand Little Theatre, the other in the Bandshell at Owen Park. Ann Sessions of the Chippewa Valley Theatre Guild said, “Last year, we had a wonderful attendance at Owen Park for Twelfth Night,” with over 250 people in attendance. They’re hoping for an even bigger turnout this year.

Shakespeare’s Comedy of Errors • July 29 at the Grand Little Theatre and July 30 at Owen Park • 7pm • FREE • 832-7529 • www.cvtg.org