SHAKESPEARE IN SOIN
Much Ado About Nothing comes to Indiana
Free to the Public
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This program is a cultural cornerstone, bridging communities across multiple counties through the timeless works of William Shakespeare. By engaging local actors and actresses from within these counties, it fosters a sense of pride and ownership, enriching both performers and audiences alike. This program not only celebrates the arts but also strengthens community bonds, showcasing the transformative power of literature. These performances are free and open to the public. Bring a lawn chair or blanket and enjoy the show!
2025 SCHEDULE
April 26th: Bicentennial Park
TIME: 2:00PM
ADDRESS: 118 E Spring Street New Albany, IN 47150​
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May 9th: Corydon Capitol Historic Site
TIME: 6:30 PM
ADDRESS: 202 East Walnut Street Corydon, IN 47112
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May 17th: Jeffersonville Public Library
TIME: 2PM
ADDRESS: 211 E Court Ave, Jeffersonville, IN 47130
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May 18th: Madison, Indiana
TIME: 2PM
ADDRESS: Bicentennial Park 101 W Vaughn dr. Madison, IN 47250
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To be determined at a later date.
Charlestown City Square
ADDRESS: 304 Main Cross Street, Charlestown, IN 47111
A Guide to "Much Ado About Nothing"
(Our Adaptation)
Our adaptation of Shakespeare's "Much Ado About Nothing" condenses the original play into a 75-minute performance designed for clarity and accessibility. We have streamlined the narrative by focusing on key plot points and characters. Below is a summary of what happens in each scene of our production:
Act 1, Scene 1
Don Pedro and his crew are back from war and get a warm welcome from Leonata, her daughter Hero, and niece Beatrice. Benedick and Beatrice jump into a snarky argument, which he ends early. Don John shows up, supposedly cool with his brother Don Pedro now. Everyone heads off except Claudio, who tells Benedick he’s crushing on Hero. Benedick laughs it off, but Don Pedro shows up ready to help him out.
Act 1, Scene 3
Don John’s all about ruining his brother Don Pedro’s good vibes. When Borachio and Conrade tell him Claudio’s into Hero, he decides to mess things up and wreck their relationship.
Act 2, Scene 1
At the masquerade ball, things get messy fast. Don Pedro woos Hero for Claudio while pretending to be him—Hero’s thrilled. Beatrice mocks Benedick, and he’s not happy. Don John tricks Claudio into thinking Don Pedro’s stealing Hero—Claudio’s crushed. Eventually, it all gets cleared up, Hero and Claudio are in love, and while they wait a week to marry, Don Pedro suggests they try to make Beatrice and Benedick fall for each other.
Act 2, Scene 2
Don John’s bummed his first plan flopped, but Borachio has a new one: he’ll get Margaret to pretend to be Hero and hook up with him at her window. Don John loves it and pays Borachio to pull it off.
Act 2, Scene 3
Benedick’s out here judging Claudio for falling in love too fast and swears he’ll never get married—unless she’s basically flawless. Then Don Pedro, Leonata, and Claudio pull a little drama, “accidentally” spilling that Beatrice is secretly in love with him but won’t admit it. Benedick eats it up and suddenly he’s head over heels. Beatrice shows up to tell him it’s time for dinner, and he’s fully convinced she’s dropping hints—she’s not.
Act 3, Scene 1
Now it’s Beatrice’s turn. Hero and Margaret start gossiping about Benedick being in love with her as soon as they spot her. Beatrice, ever the eavesdropper, tries to hide and listens in. They go on about how stubborn Beatrice is and how awesome Benedick is (but not as awesome as Claudio, obviously). Once they leave, Beatrice takes “stubborn” to heart and decides, fine, if Benedick’s all in, she’s matching his love with some of her own.
Act 3, Scene 2
Benedick’s so lovesick he can barely stand, but when Don Pedro, Claudio, and Leonata catch him, he tries to play it off as a stomach ache. Naturally, they laugh their butts off. Benedick, not missing a beat, drags Leonata away to “talk”—but let’s be real, it’s probably about Beatrice. Then, enter Don John, who drops the bomb that Hero’s been stepping out on Claudio. Claudio’s like, “Nah, that’s not true,” but Don John’s all, “I’ve got receipts,” and leads him off to “prove it” with Borachio and Margaret at the window.
Act 3, Scene 3
Dogberry and Verges pick the Watch for the night and explain what they need to do, though they might not be the best at giving instructions. After Dogberry leaves Verges and the Watch to their work, Conrade and Borachio walk by. Borachio brags about how he tricked Claudio by calling Margaret "Hero," making him think Hero was unfaithful. The Watch and Verges overhear and arrest Borachio and Conrade, taking them away as criminals.
Act 3, Scene 4
Knowing nothing of what has taken place, Margaret and Hero take the opportunity to tease Beatrice - she is feeling sick with love too, and is also trying to hide it. Margaret suggests that the cure is an herb that sounds like the name Benedick! After their jokes, they get ready to go to bed, for the next day is Hero’s wedding day!
Act 4 Scene 1
It’s supposed to be Claudio and Hero’s wedding day, but things fall apart fast. Claudio accuses Hero of cheating, and she faints from the shock. He and Don Pedro walk out, leaving everyone stunned. Leonato is furious, but the Friar steps in and suggests a plan—Hero should pretend to be dead so Claudio will realize how much he loves her. After everyone leaves, Beatrice and Benedick admit they’re in love. When Benedick says he’ll do anything for her, Beatrice surprises him by asking him to kill Claudio to defend Hero’s honor.
Act 4 Scene 2
Dogberry, Verges, and the Watch bring Conrade and Borachio in to be questioned. Dogberry doesn’t really know how to explain what happened, but Verges tells what he heard. The Sexton figures it out and tells them to tie up the two men and take them to Leonato.
Act 5 Scene 1
Leonato, now sure that Hero was wrongly accused, waits for Don Pedro and Claudio so he can tell them she’s dead and it’s their fault. They don’t take him seriously—Don Pedro says he’s sorry she died, but still believes she was guilty. Then Benedick shows up. They’re happy to see him, but he’s not joking around like usual. He calls Claudio a villain and says he’ll fight him, then leaves. Dogberry comes in with Borachio, who’s ready to confess. Borachio admits he lied and set the whole thing up. Leonato comes back to find out who’s really to blame. Borachio owns up to it, but Leonato points out that Claudio and Don Pedro’s actions are what really hurt Hero. Claudio finally realizes he was wrong and says he’ll do anything to make it right. Leonato tells him that, since he can’t marry Hero, he should marry his niece instead—and then sends Claudio and Don Pedro off to tell everyone what really happened.
Act 5 Scene 2
Benedick is struggling to write a love poem for Beatrice when she shows up, and he’s clearly relieved. They joke around a bit, and Benedick tells her he’s challenged Claudio to a duel. Beatrice shares that Hero still isn’t doing well—and honestly, she’s not feeling great either.
Act 5 Scene 4
It’s wedding day again! Leonato and the Friar talk about how everything is finally working out. Benedick quietly asks the Friar to help him get married too. Claudio and Don Pedro show up, ready for Claudio to marry Leonato’s cousin. But when the bride lifts her veil, it’s Hero! Claudio is shocked and can’t understand how she’s still alive. Hero tells him she was always innocent and always his wife. Just as the Friar is about to start the ceremony, Benedick asks Beatrice in front of everyone if she loves him. Beatrice says no, and Benedick says the same. But then Claudio gives Beatrice a notebook full of Benedick’s poems, and Hero gives Benedick a locket from Beatrice. Realizing they love each other, Beatrice and Benedick agree to get married. Benedick, Claudio, and Don Pedro are friends again, and everyone gets ready to celebrate. But then a messenger arrives with news that Don John has been caught. Benedick says they can deal with him later, and for now, they should enjoy the weddings.
Cast List
Leonata / Conrade
Kate Bariteau
Messenger / Don John / Friar
Mark Merk
Beatrice / Dogberry
Anna Meade
Hero / Sexton
Jordan Aikin
Don Pedro / Margaret
Emily Vergason
Benedick / Borachio
Jude Stivers
Claudio / Verges
Fallon Crowley
Director
Martin French
Costume
Emily Vergason
Script Adaptation
James Thompson
Producer
Martin French
Children’s Activities Coordinator
Elliott Bariteau
Graphic Design
Heather Rapp
Program Director
Paig Trinkle
Executive Director
Brian Bell
Cast Biographies
Director
Martin French
Martin French is an Irish-born theatre professional based in New Albany, Indiana, with over 20 years of experience in Dublin, London, and Louisville. As co-founder and artistic co-director of The Chamber Theatre, he directed The People and The Enemy (2025) and Clash of The Woyzecks (2024). He co-directed A Midsummer Night’s Dream (2023) and The Tempest (2024) for the Arts Alliance of Southern Indiana's SoIN To Shakespeare Tour. Other directing credits include The Crucible (2023), The Library (2023), The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Holmes (2022), and The Trestle at Pope Lick Creek (2022). He will direct Murder on the Nile by Agatha Christie for Little Colonel Players in September 2025.
Script Adaptation
James Thompson
A seasoned director and performer from Louisville, Kentucky. He has showcased his talents across the United States and internationally, having studied theatre at the University of Louisville and Accademia dell’Arte in Arezzo, Italy. James thrives in the collaborative directing process, evidenced by his work alongside Martin French on A Midsummer Night's Dream for the SoIN To Shakespeare Tour, and his co-direction of Legally Blonde and Chicago: Teen Edition at the Next Generation Performing Arts Camp with Valerie Canon.
His notable performance credits include playing the Governor in Storia di Qu at Civica Scuola di Teatro Paolo Grassi, Ash in Evil Dead the Musical at Mind’s Eye Theatre Company, and, years earlier, Trinculo in The Tempest at the University of Louisville.
Costume Designer & Don Pedro / Margaret
Emily Vergason
She's just a little chaos gremlin. You’ve seen her onstage with many different companies and she’s worked backstage with even more. She would like to use her bio to remind you that trans people exist, always have and always will and they deserve to be safe. Immigrants founded this country and they are the backbone of our nation. The arts matter and so does your vote. Fascism is bad. Yeehaw
Leonata /
Conrade
Kate Bariteau
A former adult educator who recently appeared in The Chamber Theatre’s The People and the Enemy (Shelly) and The Stronger Project (Mrs. X/Mrs. Y). She has helped tell other great stories on stage with Shelby County Community Theatre, Little Colonel Playhouse, and Company Outcast. Kate has studied Shakespearean acting with McLean Fletcher and accent/dialect with David Alan Stern. In real life, Kate walks many dogs (who are always happy to listen to her Shakespeare scene practice).
Messenger /
Don John / Friar
Mark Merk
He is hot to trot to see how you respond to the dawn of his spawning of the con Don John. Having most recently acted in Urinetown (Clarksville Little Theatre) and Assassins (Hayswood), this is his first Shakespeare play, and he’s very excited for you to see it! He’d like to thank Martin, the entire cast and crew, and all his wonderful friends and Family! Let’s All The World’s this Stage (Shakespeare joke)!
Beatrice /
Police Officer Dogberry
Anna Meade
She has been plaguing the boards of Kentucky and Southern Indiana longer than she can bear to say. This performance is dedicated to Owen, who always makes her laugh.
Hero /
Judge Sexton
Jordan Aikin
A local actor and theatre supporter. She previously worked with SoIN To Shakespeare last summer to fill in for a one-night special performance of The Tempest. A frequent flyer with Highview Arts Center and three witches shakespeare, she's happy to hop across the river once more to work with *the* Martin French. Thank you all for coming out!
Benedict /
Borachio
Jude Stivers
Happy to be making his debut with SoIn To Shakespeare. He is a 2023 graduate of the University of Colorado at Boulder with degrees in Acting and Psychology. His prior experience with Shakespeare includes working with the Colorado Shakespeare festival, as well as The Walden Conservatory at Stagone Family Theatre. He most recently appeared as Hansen in The People and The Enemy with The Chamber Theatre.
Claudio /
Police Assistant Verges
Fallon Crowley
A Shakespeare nerd since the age of 10, when he saw The Tempest performed in Boston Common. This is his first performance with SoIn To Shakespeare. He has previously appeared in Three Witches Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing (Claudio), Gallathea (Robin / Tityrus), and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Snout / Wall).