A Special Series of Shakespeare's "The Tempest" is Coming to Detroit

Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit has been chosen as the first theatre company to produce The Public Theater of New York’s PUBLIC WORKS musical adaptation of Shakespeare’s “The Tempest.” The production will take place at the Detroit Institute of Arts, May 7-May 17.

“Partnering with The Public, which may have the richest and most important history of any American theater, is an incredible honor for the young artists of Mosaic,” said Rick Sperling, Mosaic founder and artistic director. “This is a very significant moment in the history of Detroit and one more example of the arts and our young people leading the way in our city’s rebirth. We could not be more thrilled.”

Mosaic, if you didn’t know, is a special organization. Founded by Rick Sperling in 1992 to address gaps in Metro Detroit arts education (as schools started cutting those kinds of programs), Mosaic has grown from 25 young artists in its inaugural year to more than 1,000 students from schools throughout Metro Detroit that participate in Mosaic’s Youth Ensemble, Intermediate Training Programs and First Stage programs every year. Their performers may be young, but their performances are top notch.

Originally produced at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park, PUBLIC WORKS’ “The Tempest” adaptation has been described as “one of the most moving evenings of the year in theater” by The New York Times.

Detroit has been chosen as the first city outside of New York to produce a PUBLIC WORKS script.

Mosaic was chosen as the producing company because of its 22-year track record of both artistic excellence and powerfully engaging youth from throughout metro Detroit. The Public Theater plans to partner with theatres across the country to produce these PUBLIC WORKS Shakespeare adaptations.

“Public Works has been the most exciting new program we have landed in decades, and The Public is delighted and honored that Mosaic Youth Theatre is the first to explore our work across the nation,” said Public Theater Artistic Director Oskar Eustis. “Mosaic is proving what we know: investing in young people and the arts is how a city creates a future. Long live Mosaic, and long live our partnership!”

Tickets for all performances of “The Tempest” can be purchased online at www.mosaicdetroit.org. Tickets are $24 for general admission and $16 for students and seniors with valid ID. Priority Reserved Seating is available for $32 per ticket. Children under five are not admitted.

The Detroit Institute of Arts is located at 5200 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, 48202.

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