For more information contact:

Rachael Crew 612.225.6192
rachaelc@guthrietheater.org

GUTHRIE THEATER ANNOUNCES SHAKESPEARE ART CONTEST FOR STUDENTS IN GRADES 4 - 12

Submitted two-dimensional artworks inspired by Shakespeares Hamlet will be judged by a panel; winning artwork will be featured on the cover of the

Shakespeare Classic program.

Winning entrants school will also receive 50 tickets to Shakespeare Classic performance of Hamlet on Sunday, April 27 at 1 p.m.

(Minneapolis/St.Paul) The Guthrie Theater today announced a Shakespeare art contest for young people in grades 4 - 12 tied into the presentation of The Acting Companys production of Hamlet running April 23 May 4, 2014. The contest will begin February 4, with a submission period ending April 4 and a winner announced the week of April 7, 2014. The winning entrants artwork will be reprinted as the cover image of the Shakespeare Classic program; the winners school will receive 50 complimentary tickets to attend the Shakespeare Classic on Sunday, April 27 at 1 p.m. The Shakespeare Classic is an annual event that began in 1999, and seeks to introduce young theatergoers to the work of William Shakespeare. Tickets to the popular annual event are just $10 all adults must be accompanied by a young person and are available through the Guthrie Box Office at 612.377.2224, toll-free 877.44.STAGE.

Shakespeare is at the very core of our mission, says Guthrie Director of Artistic Relations Sheila Livingston. Were always thinking of ways to engage young people in Shakespeares deeply rewarding work, and its our hope that this contest will engage and spark young imaginationsmaybe even in unexpected directions.

A contest to allow imaginations to run wild with the immortal world of Shakespeare! Submitted artworks must tell some aspect of or be inspired by the story of Hamlet. There are no restrictions on the size or medium of entries. Students should submit a digital file of their artwork by uploading it to www.guthrietheater.org/artcontest. Entries can also be mailed or dropped off at the Guthrie (Attention: Shakespeare Art Contest). In either case, an educator sponsor will be required. A panel of three judges will determine the winner: Guthrie actor Michelle ONeill, The Acting Company Artistic Director / Hamlet director Ian Belknap, and the Guthries Senior Graphic Designer Brian Bressler.

The grand prize will include reprinting the winning artwork as the cover image of the Shakespeare Classic program and 50 complimentary tickets to the Shakespeare Classic performance of Hamlet on April 27, at 1 p.m. on the Guthries Wurtele Thrust Stage.

Complete information on the Shakespeare art contest can be found here: www.guthrietheater.org/artcontest

THE GUTHRIE THEATER (Joe Dowling, Director) was founded by Sir Tyrone Guthrie in 1963 and is an American center for theater performance, production, education and professional training. The Tony Award-winning Guthrie Theater is dedicated to producing the great works of dramatic literature, developing the work of contemporary playwrights and cultivating the next generation of theater artists. With annual attendance of nearly 500,000 people, the Guthrie Theater presents a mix of classic plays and contemporary work on its three stages. Under the artistic leadership of Joe Dowling since 1995, the Guthrie continues to set a national standard for excellence in theatrical production and performance. In 2006, the Guthrie opened its new home on the banks of the Mississippi River in Minneapolis. Designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Jean Nouvel, the Guthrie Theater houses three state-of-the-art stages, production facilities, classrooms and dramatic public lobbies. www.guthrietheater.org

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