Backyard Bard 2026 - GreenStage

Backyard Bard

Adapted and directed by Garth Ball

Music by Garth Ball and Paige Cooley

ABOUT BACKYARD BARD

Backyard Bard presents two stripped-down productions of Shakespeare’s plays, each one hour long, and both performed by a small ensemble of versatile actors.

Backyard Bard was born out of a desire to bring Shakespeare to smaller parks and new audiences in underserved neighborhoods. But we don’t just perform in the parks – Backyard Bard is also available for private parties. If you are interested in hosting a performance, contact us at greenstage@greenstage.org.

Quickly becoming one of GreenStage’s most popular programs, this year Backyard Bard features a cast of five intrepid and versatile actors playing all the roles in two abbreviated versions of Shakespeare’s most beloved comedies.

The Tempest - Backyard Bard Cast 2026. Paige Cooley, Aubrey Sara Kaye, Matthew Fisher, Mandy Nelson, and Bryce Publow. Photo by Ken Holmes.

The Two Noble Kinsmen - Backyard Bard Cast 2026. Paige Cooley, Aubrey Sara Kaye, Bryce Publow, Mandy Nelson, and Matthew Fisher. Photo by Ken Holmes.

The Tempest

About the Play

Exiled on a mysterious island, usurped Duke Prospero conjures a storm to shipwreck his enemies and finally get his revenge. When his daughter Miranda falls in love with a stranded prince, Prospero must choose between his past and her future. And even the sorcery of the island is no match for the power of young love. Magic, romance, and supernatural creatures cast their spell in Shakespeare’s wondrous masterpiece about redemption and the power of forgiveness.

Animated version: If you’d like to give your kiddo (or yourself!) a better idea of the plot and characters before seeing the show, we highly recommend this animated adaptation. There are differences between this version, Shakespeare’s text, and our adaptation, but it highlights the major characters and plot points: The Tempest | Animated Classic (Youtube)

Audience participation: The storm: This play includes a storm, and we invite you to help us create it through sound! You’ll receive more specific directions a little before the start of the performance (and don’t worry—participation is optional). If you’d like, you may bring a rain stick or other quiet noisemaker to use (parents and guardians, please only give noisemakers to your child if they are old enough to understand verbal and nonverbal cues to start or stop making noise). Want to make it a family craft project? Here’s an idea!

The spirits: We’ll invite a few kiddos (or adults who are young at heart!) onstage at a few points during the performance. Again, we’ll give some more specific directions a little before the start of the performance (and participation is optional). If you’d like, you can come with a mask already made! Want to make a harpy or fairy mask? What about a goblin or Caliban mask?

The Two Noble Kinsmen

About the Play

Nothing turns best friends into bitter rivals like a love triangle. Arcite and Palomon soon learn that the hard way when they both fall for the same woman. But before they can woo Emilia, they have to get out of prison. Condemned by Theseus but aided by the Jailer’s Daughter, the only solution is a winner-takes-all duel. Based on Chaucer’s “The Knight’s Tale,” and written with John Fletcher, Shakespeare’s final play probes the conflict between our desires and our destiny—even as it pokes fun at the lengths we go to in the name of love.

Animated version: If you’d like to give your kiddo (or yourself!) a better idea of the plot and characters of “The Knight’s Tale” before seeing the show, we highly recommend this animated adaptation. There are differences between this version, Shakespeare’s text, and our adaptation, but it highlights the major characters and plot points: The Knight’s Tale | Animated (Youtube)

Audience participation: We’ll invite a few folks onstage during the performance to be “country people.” For anyone interested, we’ll give more specific directions a little before the start of the performance (and don’t worry—participation is optional). Are you dying to be onstage? Bring a cowboy hat to wear, and you’re basically guaranteed an invitation to participate. Yeehaw!