Shakespeare Performed at the Southold School Outdoor Ampitheater Friday Night

SOUTHOLD, NY - The outdoor ampitheater at the Southold School District comes alive Friday with a free performance of Shakespeare.

A performance of "The Tempest" takes place at 5 p.m.; the joint performance between Southold and Greenport schools reflects the First Annual Playing@Will Spring Shakespeare Festival.

Guests should arrive early to see court jesters and minstrels performing in a festive atmosphere.

All throughout the world celebrations of Shakespeare’s work are taking place in honor of the 400th anniversary of his passing. The performance in the Southold Amphitheater is based on the very successful Shakespeare and Company work featured in schools in Massachusetts, said Southold Schools Superintendent David Gamberg. "There is compelling research conducted by Harvard University to demonstrate the effectiveness of the Shakespeare and Company approach to the performance that has taken place in numerous schools."

Earlier in the day, elementary school students participated in a character education assembly entitled “The NED Show,” in the outdoor amphitheater. NED stands for “never give up,” a motivational assembly program that visits two million students every year across the United States, Canada, the U.K., Australia and New Zealand. At the end of their 45-minute performance over 400 yo-yos were distributed to all elementary students. The message of the yo-yos is to never give up and persevere as children learn how to master difficult tricks, Gamberg said.