Shakespeare in the Parks To Perform “As You Like It” At Montana Western

Montana Shakespeare in the Parks will hold a free performance of Shakespeare’s “As You Like It” on Friday, August 1, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. at the University of Montana Western’s Pioneer Federal Amphitheater on Legacy Plaza. Just bring your lawn chair, blanket, and a picnic dinner, and enjoy an evening of live Shakespeare!

“As You Like It” speaks to the joy and complexity of love, identity, and the transformative power of nature. This romantic comedy follows Rosalind—one of Shakespeare’s most complex and beloved female characters—as she ventures into the Forest of Arden. Along the way, she encounters a colorful cast of characters and explores themes of love, transformation, and self-discovery.

“I’m so delighted to bring As You Like It to MSIP!” said Eva Breneman, Director of “As You Like It”. “It’s a beautiful, funny, thought-provoking play about transformation and the desire to find oneself. It contains yearning and music and one-liners. I love the nature of Rosalind and Orlando’s love story and how they fall in love with each other over the very nature of love. I love the primal idea of going back to nature to find one’s deepest desires—I especially think the citizens of Montana and the mountain West will understand that impulse.”

Montana Shakespeare in the Parks has been bringing the timeless works of William Shakespeare to communities across Montana and neighboring states for over 50 years. Renowned for its high-quality, free outdoor performances, the program aims to make the arts accessible to all, fostering a love for theater and literature in audiences of all ages. Each summer, the cast and crew travel thousands of miles to bring Shakespeare’s plays to parks, town squares, and public spaces throughout the region.

To see the full Montana Shakespeare in the Parks tour schedule, visit https://shakespeareintheparks.org.

Montana Western’s School of Outreach has brought Montana Shakespeare in the Parks to the Dillon community since 1986 and is a local sponsor of the event. We would like to thank our premier local sponsor, Pioneer Federal Savings & Loan, and our additional local sponsors: McIsaac Appraisal and the UMW Foundation.

For more information, please contact School of Outreach Program Coordinator Bethanie Wharton at 406-683-7537 or bethanie.wharton@umwestern.edu.