CULTURE Winter 2026 27 PHOTO BY THERESA HOGUE SUMMER’S STAGE Mischief and magic meet in the MU Quad. For 20 years, “Bard in the Quad” has brought Shakespeare to the Memorial Union steps each summer, drawing packed audiences. “It’s a joyful thing to be a part of,” said Elizabeth Helman, senior instructor in theatre arts, who has directed the series since 2009. Outdoor performances come with challenges — weather, acoustics, costume changes and bugs — but Helman has learned to prepare actors with a “Bard Bag” of essentials. “For newbies, they often don’t realize the physical scale of the space,” she said. “They’re used to smaller, indoor venues, and I explain they need to scale up their performances.” Last summer’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream was the series’ third staging of the play.The Memorial Union provided the backdrop, with dramatic lighting showcasing its nearly century- old architecture. MU Director Deb Mott said it was an easy yes when Bard creator Scott Palmer, MAIS ’94, first proposed the series: “There was never a question,” she said. “It’s a partnership I’m so grateful for as it allows students to create magic, and is a place where the community can come lose themselves in stories.” — Theresa Hogue
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTcxMjMwNg==