MT Shakespeare in the Parks Presents: Exploring "The Merchant of Venice"

Join Shakespeare scholar Dr. Gretchen Minton and Montana Shakespeare in the Parks Associate Artistic Director Riley O'Toole as they dive into the world of The Merchant of Venice, a play of striking contrasts and profound moral tension.

Dr. Minton will share her expertise and give insight into the deeper themes in the play ahead of the opening night for Montana Shakespeare in the Parks at the MSU Duck Pond on June 10. Riley O'Toole will speak to what it means to adapt The Merchant of Venice for the unique nature of a Montana Shakespeare in the Parks tour.

Tickets are not required for this event, but RSVPs are appreciated. Please RSVP by reserving a free general admission ticket on this page.

About Gretchen Minton

Dr. Gretchen Minton is a Shakespeare scholar and Professor of English at Montana State University. She is the editor and author of several works, including the award-winning , and she works frequently as a dramaturg, script adaptor, and director. Her passion is finding ways to enable classical texts to speak about our current environmental crises. Minton has spent more than two decades teaching and researching Shakespeare. She serves as dramaturg for Montana Shakespeare in the Parks and is the co-founder of Montana InSite Theatre.

About Riley O’Toole

Riley has been involved in 11 tours, 20 productions, and over 600 performances with Montana Shakespeare in the Parks (MSIP) across its various programs. He has worked for MSIP as an actor, teaching artist, assistant director and tour manager. Notable MSIP credits include Hamlet in Hamlet, Edgar in King Lear, and Puck in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Riley holds a BFA in Acting from the University of Minnesota/Guthrie Theater Actor Training Program. He is also an alumnus of the Milwaukee Repertory Theater’s Emerging Professional Residency Program. Riley’s regional acting credits include the Guthrie Theater, Jungle Theater, Milwaukee Repertory Theater, Arizona Theater Company, and Salt Lake Acting Company. Riley looks forward to deepening his relationships with our communities and continuing to make MSIP’s year-round programming possible in his ongoing role as Associate Artistic Director.