Outdoor Shakespearean Comedy Benefits Veterans

A picnic and a Shakespearean comedy in an intimate Japanese Garden is more than just a fail-proof date night idea. The Shakespeare Center of Los Angeles production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, is giving many veterans a job.

The play with a 1960’s, L.A.-centric twist is running July 9 through July 28 in the Japanese Garden located on the V.A Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System’s campus. Veterans made up 44 percent of the SCLA’s work force during last year’s production.

Through the Veteran Summer Employment Program, veterans were hired as part of the performing company, worked backstage or helped with front house operations.

“We are returning to the splendor of the VA’s Japanese Garden to present Shakespeare in the loveliest secret outdoor venue on the West Side and the most perfect place for Shakespeare under the stars in Southern California,” said Artistic Director Ben Donenberg. 

The production draws inspiration from the late 1950s and 60s cultural revolution in L.A. with live music from the era. The Japanese Garden is ideal for the “crowd-pleasing comedy” that takes place in a forest and furthers the SCLA’s mission of presenting Shakespeare in a relevant way for Angelenos.

The Japanese Garden is located at 11301 Wilshire Blvd. Admission is free for active military personnel, veterans and their guests. Tickets starting at $25 can be purchased here.

Visit the Shakespeare Center of Los Angeles website for more information.