UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Penn State School of Theatre will produce William Shakespeare's comedy "Much Ado About Nothing,” Nov. 16–22, at the Pavilion Theatre on the University Park campus.

Artistic Director A. Kikora Franklin wrote, "In the School of Theatre’s presentation of William Shakespeare’s "Much Ado About Nothing," directed by our BFA (bachelor of fine arts) Acting program head Steve Snyder, we feature the spirited work of students from our BFA Acting, Design Technology, and Stage Management programs. Shakespeare’s work is centuries-old, but it remains one of the most significant tools for teaching theater.

"Engaging with the language and text of Shakespeare requires actors to engage fully with their bodies, voices, and minds," Franklin continued. "It also compels our young artists to grapple with themes that cause them to think and feel deeply about themselves and their relationship with others. Shakespeare also offers a unique opportunity for our technical students to hone practical and creative skills while they also develop the ability to collaborate with the director and peers.

"With each production of our season, we hope to offer our students, faculty, staff and audiences a transformational theatrical experience. Penn State School of Theatre is committed to exploring art and humanity that make timeless theater and we are delighted to embrace classic works like Shakespeare as a part of that journey."

Director Steve Snyder wrote, "We worked with the students to choose 'Much Ado About Nothing' for this special production because we needed a piece to challenge them with complex and demanding language that engages their whole brains and bodies, with rich characters they would have to search for like detectives and grow like loving gardeners, with opportunities to cultivate comic joy in a time when we crave it — with just the right dose of dramatic weight, and with a message we cared about bringing into the community. What you're about to see is the fruit of that choice and, truly, the thousands that followed it. 'Much Ado' has much to say about the power of our words — particularly gossip — both helpful (wait, good gossip?) and harmful."

All general admission seats are $15. For additional show information, visit the Penn State Centre Stage website. Non-Penn State Arts and Architecture students can see it for free by visiting the Arts Ticket Centre during the week of the production.