Last year, Oakland School for the Arts and Kinetic Arts Center got together to figure out how to add a Circus Arts Emphasis to the OSA arts training curriculum. 

That accomplished, this year OSA’s Theatre Arts Department and Circus Arts Department join forces to bring circus to the theatre and Shakespeare to the circus in a production of Shakespeare’s "The Comedy of Errors." Directed by Terry Bamberger, this production features acrobats, clowns and aerialists in addition to the story and poetry of one of Shakespeare’s most delightful plays.

“In our version, the town of Ephesus is suggestive of a 19th century Italian circus town and is rehearsing their annual circus performance.  We have set the play within a traditional circus ring at Kinetic Arts Center – the training facility for OSA’s Circus Arts kids,” Bamberger said. “‘The Comedy of Errors’ is well suited to perform in this setting and has a rich history of portrayal in this fashion – popularly done with clowns and jesters in 19th century London productions and then re-surging as such in the 21st century by the Flying Karamazov Brothers.”

“It has been so much fun working with the Circus Arts kids, trying to find places to sprinkle into the play circus acts or clown gags,” Kinetic Arts Center’s Artistic Director Jaron Hollander said. “It’s also very exciting to merge theatre and circus curriculum in this more traditional vehicle through OSA – this is the magic that happens at an arts school that has the freedom to – well – make art.”

Shakespeare’s "The Comedy of Errors" runs for one weekend only, so don't miss it!

To learn more about Shakespeare’s "The Comedy of Errors," visit OakArts.org or contact Michael Berry-Berlinski, Theatre Department Chair, Oakland School for the Arts at MBerry@Oakarts.org or (510) 356-8823.

If You Go

Shakespeare’s "The Comedy of Errors"

When: 7 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, Nov. 3-5; 2* and 7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 6 (*This performance is ASL Interpreted)

Where: Kinetic Arts Center, 785 Seventh St. (at Brush St), Oakland

Cost: $25-$10; purchase online at brownpapertickets.com/event/202433

Details: (510) 701-1060