The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey’s acclaimed touring company for young audiences enters its 20^th season in 2016. Since 1997, Shakespeare LIVE! has presented more than 1,700 performances to more than 600,000 students at more than 850 schools and performing arts centers throughout the Mid-Atlantic region, traveling as far south as North Carolina and as far north as Maine.

Bonnie J. Monte, the Theatre’s artistic director, said, “We are thrilled that Shakespeare LIVE! has proven to be such a resounding success. It has been a thrill to watch this program grow and evolve over the years and we are so proud that we have had such a profound influence on the education landscape here in our home state. More than 550,000 NJ kids so far have seen Shakespeare performed live on stage before they graduated from high school because of our program and this is something of which Brian B. Crowe, our director of education, and I are very proud.”

In this 20^th anniversary year, there are still select opportunities to book the touring company for schools and/or other venues throughout the state and wider region with 60 to 75-minute versions of two of Shakespeare’s most popular plays, “Romeo and Juliet” and “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” To inquire, call 973-845-6745 or e-mail scarleton@shakespearenj.org.

For those unable to schedule a tour to their school, Shakespeare LIVE! will perform “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” and “Romeo and Juliet” on April 23 at the F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre, in Madison.  Tickets are $16. For tickets, call 973-408-5600 or visit www.ShakespeareNJ.org.