The lecture will describe the influence Shakespeare has had through the centuries including the development of the English language, his contributions to what we think of as “the modern human,” and the importance of live theatre. Professor Arndt will discuss the founding and development of the Kingsmen Shakespeare Company and the challenge of staging a professional theatre production within a three-week production schedule. He will also discuss As You Like It and Macbeth, the two productions scheduled to be performed during summer 2022.

Michael J. Arndt (Kingsmen Shakespeare Company Artistic Director) is Chair of the Theatre Arts and Dance Department at Cal Lutheran. As a founding member of KSC, he directed 18 productions for the company, the most recent: Richard II-2019, Henry V-2016 and Measure for Measure-2015. He continues to develop and produce his play, Under Fire: Stories of Combat Veterans Across Generations and is co-writing a book about the arts as a healing force for combat veterans.

Fifty and Better was designed to offer university-level courses and lectures (no tests, no homework) taught by experts in the field, and to host social engagement activities for individuals age 50 and older.