The greatness of the annual Stratford Festival in Ontario is known and appreciated not just in Canada but throughout the world. Every summer more than 500,000 lovers of great theater delight in magnificent performances of the works of Shakespeare and other playwrights, both classical and contemporary.

The Chicago Sun-Times has said, "What the Chicago Symphony is to orchestras, the Metropolitan is to opera and the New York City Ballet is to dance, the Stratford Festival is to classic theater", and Clive Barnes of The New York Post has called Stratford "one of the three great English-speaking classic theaters, together with Britain's National Theater and its Royal Shakespeare Company."

Northern Illinois University and Stratford: For more than ten years NIU's Department of English has offered study trips to the Stratford Festival. This year the University brings you another experience conducted by an NIU professor whose special expertise makes this program extraordinarily rewarding.

A week prior to the festival, NIU offers "The Dress Rehearsal," a seminar at the Holmes Student Center to acquaint you with the historical, literary, and theatrical aspects of the plays you will be seeing. During your stay in Stratford, the faculty member is available to answer questions and provide commentary on all the Shakespeare productions.

This trip is five days and enables you to see exceptional performances at four different theaters. To make your travel experience even more rewarding and pleasurable, the University's Stratford experience offers a convivial pre-trip reception and seminar on campus and the BEST available seats.

You will enjoy the following program features: accommodations in Stratford's charming guest homes, illuminating program notes on the plays, welcome luncheon in Stratford, farewell dinner in Stratford, table talk luncheon on Thursday and a distinctive NIU canvas tote bag. With all this, there's never been a better year to join us for Stratford--and we hope you'll agree!

The 2003 Program - The 51th season offers plays from the classical and contemporary repertoires that have been specially selected for their challenging exploration of common themes. These spectacular offerings, in combination with our special activities, make this a season that you should not miss.

What people have said about this trip:
"I don't know how you do it.  Year after year it gets better and better. An absolutely perfect trip. The Professor's zeal is contagious.  We're looking forward to next year's trip." -- Ed and Marge Warmowksi

"Outstanding professor; congenial group; great arrangements and planning.  I'll go again next year." -- Sally Stevens

"I recommend this trip. This was really my introduction to Shakespeare. The camaraderie of the group and the team from NIU were excellent." -- Gayle George

"Very professional trip, competent and informational without being 'stuffy'. The professor  is fantastic." -- Sandra Goetz

"I enjoy the pleasant personalities of the people in the group, their sense of humor, the quality of the lectures both in Stratford and before the trip at NIU. I'm going next year." -- Olive Chitty

"The professor's enthusiam for the subject showed as we talked about the plays.  Everyone could understand, and I even  looked forward to seeing Henry V." -- Maggie Daly

The Plays

Pericles by William Shakespeare
After solving the riddle that hides a shameful secret, Pericles, Prince of Tyre, is forced to flee a tyrant's wrath.  A storm at sea brings love into his life; another snatches it away.  Many years must pass before fate guides the wandering hero to a poignant reunion with the family he thought he had lost forever.

The Taming of theShrew by William Shakespeare
There's no shortage of suitors for the lovely Bianca -- no one wants her eveil-tempered sister, Kate.  Unfortunately, Bianca's father insists she can't be married till Kate has been properly hitched -- and Kate swears wild horses couldn't drag her to the altar.  But then along comes Petruchio, looking for a wife. Petruchio -- Graham Abbey

Troilus and Cressida by William Shakespeare
As the Greek army lay siege to their city, a prince of Troy and the daughter of a priest exchange vows of everlasting love.  But time is always the final conqueror of romantic illusions, and in Shakespeare's darkly satiric rewriting of heroic legend, love and honor are just two more casualties of war. Director: Richard Monette. Ulysses -- Peter Donaldson. Cressida -- Claire Jullien

Present Laughter by Noel Coward
With his African tour imminent and his mirror conveying alarming intimations of middle age, star actor Garry Essendine is in a state of high anxiety.  As his world becomes a chaotic whirl of determined lovers, outraged associates and obsessed fans, can Garry hang on his place at the center of his own universe? Director -- Brian Bedford.  Garry Essendine -- Brian Bedford. Daphne -- Michelle Giroux

The King and I by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II
Cultural assumptions on both sides come under fire when Anna Leonowens, widow of a British army officer, becomes tutor to the children of the King of Siam.  but gradually the outspoken teacher and the autocratic monarch come to regard each other with mutual respect --and even with love.
Anna Leonowens -- Lucy Peacock

Agamemnon by Aeschylus
King Agamemnon, conqueror of Troy, returns home to Argos, where the memory of his father's unnatural crime still casts its fearful shadow over the house of Atreus.  Only the seer Cassandra senses the deadly hatred behind Queen Clytemnestra's extravagant words of welcome -- or forsees the horror that is to come.

The Faculty leader - Katherine Wright, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Department of English, Northern Illinois University.  She accompanies you to maximize your enjoyment and understanding of the plays.  She has taken NIU groups to Stratford several times as well as to the American Players Theater in Spring Green, Wisconsin and the Chicago Shakespeare Theater in Chicago in addition to London.  Her major research interest is Shakespeare in performance.

The Tentative Schedule

Saturday, July 19
9 a.m. "The Dress Rehearsal," pre-trip seminar, Holmes Student Center, DeKalb

Monday, July 28
9:25 a.m. Depart, AMTRAK , Union Station, Chicago; 8:52 p.m. arrive Stratford, Canada

Tuesday, July 29
9:30 a.m. Meet for walking tour of Stratford (free) until 11a.m., Visitors' Information Center
11:30a.m. Lunch (included): Olde English Parlour Restaurant. Hear overview of plays
2:00 p.m. Agamemnon, Studio Theater
8:00 p.m. Present Laughter, Avon Theater

Wednesday, July 30
9:30 a.m. Meet the Festival, discussions with acting company, Tom Patterson Theatre
10:00 a.m. Art in the Park (weather permitting)
12:00-12:30 Noon hour Organ concerts, Knox Presbyterian Church-freewill offering
1:10 p.m. Meet for pre-play discussion. Location: TBA
2:00 p.m. Pericles, Festival Theater
8:00 p.m. TheTaming of the Shrew, Festival Theater

Thursday, July 31
 9:30 a.m. Talking Theatre, Tom Patterson Theatre
11:30a.m. Table talk, Festival Theater, buffet lunch, included. Speaker: Alan Somerset
2:00 p.m. Troilus and Cressida, Tom Patterson Theater
6:15 p.m. Farewell dinner, included.
8:00 p.m. The King and I, Festival Theater(optional)

Friday, August 1 9:02 a.m. depart Stratford for 6:35 p.m. arrival Chicago.

Summertime in Stratford
Superb theatrical performances are just the first of many delights with which Stratford greets her summer visitors. You may take a walking tour of the city, providing you the chance to appreciate Stratford's historic architecture, exquisite gardens, and lush expanses of park land.

Shoppers will find many temptations. Stratford boutiques offer specialties such as fine English china, Irish linen, and Eskimo carvings. When it is time to relax, bring a picnic lunch to the banks of the River Avon and marvel at the grace of the swans. Savor the sunshine and culinary specialties at an outdoor café. Stratford in the summer offers many surprises!

Accommodations - You will stay in Stratford guest homes. All homes are approved and recommended by the Stratford Visitors' and Convention Bureau which is responsible for assignments. Upgraded accommodations (Bentley's Inn, 99 Ontario, downtown, two level suites with kitchens or Mercer Hall Inn, 108 Ontario, preferences accepted but not guaranteed) are available with First-Class package.   Limited rooms with three beds for triple occupancy and two doubles or double and king for quad occupancy. Upgrades to Bentley's Annex for extra fee available.

Mobility - While not particularly strenuous, this trip does require walking/stair climbing. Arrangements cannot be made for individuals who are unable to meet these physical demands. Taxis are flat rate ($6 Canadian for 1 or 2 passengers, $7 for 3 or more) for anywhere in town.

Transportation - Transportation is provided by train, the fastest and most convenient means of travel to Stratford. There's nothing like the experience of train travel . . . the spectacular views, the freedom you have to move around and explore, the laughter of friends. United States and Canadian citizens crossing the US/Canadian border are required to have a passport, birth certificate, citizenship certificate, or naturalization certificate.

Registration Information - Space is limited. Early registration is encouraged. Reserve your place by sending a 50% deposit per person with a completed reservation form by April 30. Reservations confirmed by payment. Payment in full must be postmarked/ received by June 25. A full refund (minus $50) will be made for any cancellation before June 25. After June 25 no refunds can be issued. Participants making a deposit, but who do not submit the balance due before or postmarked by June 25, will forfeit both their deposit and their place. This program sold out early last year.

1. PHONE (800) 345-9472 or (815) 753-0277 for immediate reservations, using credit card.
2. FAX (815) 753-6900
3. MAIL to: University Outreach Services, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL 60115.
4. IN PERSON at the LNB Building, 2nd floor, 3rd and Locust St., DeKalb. 8  to 4:30  M-F.

Tuition fee: Economy package is only $495 ($445 if registered and paid by February 28) per person. It includes welcome luncheon, table talk luncheon, farewell dinner, round-trip transportation (AMTRAK) from Chicago, accommodations (based on double occupancy--twin beds-- in Stratford guest homes--private bath), pre-trip seminar, three exciting performances, and lectures/discussions in Stratford.

First-Class package (BEST VALUE) is only $845 ($795 if registered and paid by February 28), for welcome luncheon, pre-trip seminar, five exciting performances, upgraded housing (based on double occupancy), round-trip transportation (AMTRAK) from Chicago, table talk, and farewell dinner and complete texts of the three Shakespeare plays.(Limited availability for triple/quad occupancy)

[ ] YES, reserve my space in "Stratford Festival 2003", July 28 -- August 1. (#6396)
[ ] Sorry, I can't attend, but place me/keep me on the mailing list.

[ ] Tuition/fee $__________.
[  ] Add single supplement (First-class package). $275.
[  ] Add single supplement (Economy package). $120.
[  ] Upgrade to Bentley's Annex, add $100 per room._____.
[  ] Add The King and I, $59. # of tickets____.
[  ] Add Agamemnon, $49(included in 1st class package). # of tickets____.
[  ] Add Present Laughter, $49 (included in 1st class package). # of tickets____.
[  ] Transportation, DeKalb-Chicago-DeKalb, $40 per person.

$_____total due

Name(s)__________________________________________________________
Address___________________________________________________________
City____________________________State_____Zip code(+4)_______________
Day phone_(___)________Evening phone_(___)________email_______________

Sharing accommodations with:___________________________________________________

Total: $___________ (minimum 50% deposit due with reservation)

[ ]Enclosed is a check payable to Northern Illinois University
[ ]Charge fee to: [ ]Discover, [ ]MasterCard, [ ]VISA [ ]AMEX

Card #___________________________________Exp Date_________

Cardholder Signature______________________________________

01/07/03

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