Play A Part

You don’t need to don a kilt or play the bagpipes to get a slice of the Scottish life. Summit Stage Fest, similar to a popular event in Scotland, features innovative and fun ways to see live theater on multiple stages from more than 20 theater companies and performers. In its first year, the June 3 fest takes place outdoors in Akron’s Highland Square, where guests can enjoy food trucks, shopping and shows such as Jim Volkert’s puppets doing Punch & Judy, Cleveland Opera’s La Boheme or stand-up comedy by Mustache Pete. In another across-the-pond tradition, the 30-minute GreenShow by the Ohio
Shakespeare Festival upholds the original practice of Shakespeare’s era with a preshow of song, dance and revelry. Actors face off in sword fights, perform Shakespeare parodies in Elizabethan English to the tune of One Direction’s “What Makes You Beautiful” and more. “It’s upbeat and gets you ready to have a good evening,” says Tess Burgler, Ohio Shakespeare Festival managing director. “It helps make Shakespeare accessible [because] it’s a nice juxtaposition between Elizabethan entertainment, speaking colloquially and having a lot of fun.” Akron, 234-206-0603, summitstagefest.org