BETHLEHEM, PA: The Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts (Charter Arts) Theatre Department presents: “As You Like It” by William Shakespeare, January 24-26, 2025. The production features a talented ensemble cast and is directed by Amanda Lissette, with set & lighting design by Ellen Schmoyer, sound design by Carlo Acerra, costume design by Amy Handkammer, and fight choreography by Chris Egging.
Step into a rugged world where the rolling plains meet the spirit of Shakespeare’s timeless comedy, “As You like It”, following the themes of love, exile, mistaken identities, and gender roles. This production imagines the Shakespearean comedy if the story was taken to the Wild West. Watch the cast transform this classic piece into a vibrant, colorful Wild West adventure that stays true to the core of Shakespeare’s comedy while exploring new terrain in the realm of cowboy culture.
“As You Like It” is reimagined as a high-stakes adventure on the frontier, where cowboys and cowgirls swap banter and bravery in a land full of romance, disguise, and self-discovery. Set in an untamed land, this production follows Rosalind, exiled from a corrupt society, as she seeks refuge in the wild, only to discover love and identity in the most unexpected places.
The theme of cowgirls and cowboys provides the perfect backdrop for this story of transformation and freedom. The Forest of Arden represents a new frontier where people reinvent themselves in search of purpose and belonging. With its fierce independence, rugged beauty, and vast open spaces, the West mirrors the play’s themes of freedom, love, and the wild potential of life when boundaries are left behind.
Expect quick-draw duels, lively saloon exchanges, and a fresh take on Shakespeare’s beloved characters—where the law of the land is only as certain as the heart’s desire. Whether in the saddle or around the campfire, this “As You Like It” offers a fresh spin on love and identity set in a time when the frontier itself was full of possibility. Get ready for a rollicking good time with laughs, love, and a little bit of cowboy charm!
TICKETS: Adult $12, Student/Child $7. Evening performances January 24 & 25 at 7 PM. Matinee performance January 26 at 2 PM. Tickets can be purchased in advance at CharterArts.org
ABOUT THE CHARTER ARTS THEATRE DEPARTMENT
The Charter Arts Theatre Department offers a pre-professional training program for high school-aged performers. The goal is to provide students with the skills they will need to move on to competitive college programs as well as professional theatre experiences.
Classes are designed to encourage students to create imaginative and compelling characters, to regard their voices and bodies as creative instruments, to expose them to theatrical literature and to instill in them a sense of respect and professionalism for the art form that will stay with them throughout their lives.
ABOUT THE LEHIGH VALLEY CHARTER HIGH SCHOOL FOR THE ARTS (Charter Arts):
Charter Arts is an audition-based public charter school that provides a comprehensive curriculum for high school students, grades 9-12, who have a dedicated passion for the creative or performing arts. Students major in one of seven artistic areas: dance, instrumental music, literary arts, production arts (film & technical theatre), theatre, visual arts, or vocal music.
Charter Arts’ rigorous curriculum fosters both academic and artistic excellence for its students. The school’s impressive Future Ready PA Index ranking, Advanced Placement (AP) exam statistics, Keystone Exam statistics, SAT scores, prestigious artistic accolades, and graduation rate, are testaments to the outstanding education that Charter Arts provides.
Charter Arts was ranked #1 Best Public High School Teachers in PA and #1 Best Charter High School in PA on Niche’s 2025 Best Schools in America Rankings. In addition, Charter Arts was one of only four Lehigh Valley schools to be ranked on U.S. News & World Report’s 2024 Top 100 Public High Schools in PA.
Auditions for the 2025-2026 school year are around the corner. To request an audition and learn more about the school, visit www.CharterArts.org.
Information & Image Provided By:
Ann Gillette
Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts
321 East 3rd Street, Bethlehem, PA 18015
www.CharterArts.org
