The Tennessee Stage Company is at it again as downtown goes to the bards Thursday through Sunday nights.  This season of Shakespeare on the Square alternates between the classic Romeo and Juliet and a compilation Complete Works by William Shakespeare (Abridged) on the Market Square stage.

This is the 20th anniversary for the Tennessee Stage Company, which is something the cast, crew and the founding Artistic Director, Tom Parkhill are very proud to be a part of. With three more weeks of performances remaining, this could be Shakespeare on the Square's most successful season yet.

"There's nothing like the noises of Market Square. It reminds me of the way Shakespeare had written his plays back in his time."Kenneth Mayfield,
Tennessee Stage CompanyThis season's Romeo and Juliet is directed by Parkhill and features Kenneth Mayfield as Romeo and Casey Smith as Juliet. 

This classic tale of love and hate is arguably one of the most famous tragedies ever written, but if you aren't into the tear-jerkers, the other play takes a completely different approach.

The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) is a 90 minute comedic waltz through the works of the famous playwright. 

Directed by Jenny Ballard, who also plays Mercutio in Romeo and Juliet, this play has a cast of only three actors who interact heavily with the audience, inducing hysterical laughter and a whole new perspective on Shakespeare.

Mayfield, who plays Romeo, has been a member of the Shakespeare on the Square cast for three consecutive years. He has held prominent roles in productions including Love's Labour's Lost, The Merchant of Venice, A Midsummer Night's Dream and now Romeo and Juliet.

"It's a family here, and that's what I really love about working for the Tennessee Stage Company," Mayfield said. "The group of people that the owner, Tom Parkhill, decides to surround himself with are really superior to other places I've worked. Everyone gets along really well; We have a very cohesive group."

"The last scene of Romeo and Juliet hushes Market Square, and that's a great feeling."  Mayfield

Ages vary within the cast, and opportunities to audition are offered to anyone interested.

Mayfield explained that the majority of the cast is from Knoxville, but there are also members from Maryville as well as out of state.

Some college students have come from as far as Texas and Virginia to be a part of the Tennessee Stage Company's productions.

"A lot of our funding is grant money and donations from the people who come out to see our plays. I don't see it as a big money making venture, but this is a professional production. So all of the actors, all of the tech, the director, everyone gets paid a professional salary," Mayfield said, which would partially explain why talent comes from all over to take part.

But it's not the money that makes the experience worthwhile according to Mayfield.

"My favorite thing about Shakespeare on the Square is the atmosphere. I love that it's outside, it's blazing hot and we're just dripping with sweat, and I really like that the audience appreciates that. We have a really great audience out there, he said.

"I love that it's outside, it's blazing hot and we're just dripping with sweat, and I really like that the audience appreciates that."  Mayfield

"There's nothing like the noises of Market Square. It reminds me of the way Shakespeare had written his plays back in his time, with all of the people standing in front of the stage hootin' and hollerin' and having just as good a time as the actors... It's like that with all of the bars and shops up and down the Square and all of the ambient noise.

"I gotta say, though, we make it quiet out here when we do this play. The last scene of Romeo and Juliet hushes Market Square, and that's a great feeling," he said.

The businesses on the Square have shown great support for the Tennessee Stage Company by providing space for storing equipment as well as places for the cast to change and prepare before their performances.

The businesses of Market Square and the Tennessee Stage Company warmly welcome one and all to come and enjoy an evening of great food and refreshment and attend one of the many performances scheduled for the month of August.