Cast of Richard III, 2025, at Lincoln Park. Photo by Ken Holmes.
Make ahead activities for masks and sound makers.
“On a ship at sea. A tempestuous noise of thunder and lightning heard.”
– stage directions, The Tempest, Act 1, Scene 1
GreenStage’s 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. For 2026 The Tempest and The Two Noble Kinsmen we have some make ahead activities if you would like to be part of the story.
The storm: The Tempest includes a storm, and GreenStage invites 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 for a Do It Yourself Rainstick!
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?
“Enter four Country people, and one with a garland before them.”
– stage directions, The Two Noble Kinsmen, Act 2, Scene 3
The country people: In The Two Noble Kinsmen 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!
We’ll see you in the parks from July 10 through August 15.
All details are subject to change.