WINONA LAKE — Shakespeare at Grace, a week-long series of events at Grace College, will take place Oct. 18 – 21. The wide range of programs, including live theatre, lecture and discussion, are sure to inspire and develop appreciation for William Shakespeare’s renowned literature.

Shakespeare at Grace is organized by professor of literature Dr. Lauren Rich and the Grace College Languages, Literature and Communication Department. “During the week, we’ll celebrate the irreplaceable contribution Shakespeare made to literature,” said Rich.

“We will do this through annual events like The Lyceum Series as well as brand new events including performances by Actors From The London Stage,” Rich continued.

The Lyceum Series is an annual event dedicated to merging cultural engagement, academics and faith. This year’s installment will be presented by Dr. Peter Holland, a world-renowned Shakespeare scholar. Holland’s lecture, “Forgiving and Forgetting: Shakespeare & Power,” will occur at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 18 in Westminster Hall, 105 9th Street, Winona Lake. The Lyceum Series lecture is free, open to the public and will be followed by light refreshments and a book signing.

Holland is the associate dean for the arts at Notre Dame University. He is a respected editor and author of several books, including “English Shakespeares: Shakespeare on the English Stage in the 1990’s” and a major study of restoration drama in “The Ornament of Action.”

Actors From The London Stage, one of the oldest and most established touring Shakespeare companies in the world, will perform “Measure for Measure” by William Shakespeare in Grace College’s Little Theatre, located in Philathea Hall, 1499 Alpha Drive, Winona Lake. Performances will take place at 7 p.m. Oct. 19, 20 and 21. Tickets are $10 for students and $15 general admission and are available through Eventbrite.

AFTLS is housed and workshopped in England with academic tours booked through the University of Notre Dame. AFTLS tours the country in the spring and fall, visiting almost 20 universities per year. The actors include Peter Pray, Ben Eagle, Dominic Gerrard, Wela Mbusi and Anna Wright. Grace College is one of eight schools AFTLS will visit on its 2017 fall tour.

In tandem with AFTLS, violinist Shana Brath and guitarist Scott Workman will perform a pre-show dinner concert in Alpha Dining Hall at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 19. “Brath and Workman are exceptionally talented,” said Rich. “They’re sure to prepare visitors for AFTLS’ performance.”

“Dinner tickets don’t need to be bought in advance. Just visit Alpha Dining and purchase a meal pass Thursday evening,” Rich added.

Immediately following “Measure for Measure” on Saturday night, student-led Grace College Cinematic Conversations will offer a panel discussion to delve into the play’s weighty content. “Our hope is that this time will create space for students to process and learn from the material offered by Shakespeare via AFTLS,” said Kirsten Mead, student body president and coordinator of GC3’s discussion.

GC3 is a student senate-sponsored club on campus led by student Caleb Dudeck. The club regularly meets to watch films and discuss its worldview and moral implications. Rather than allowing movie-watching to be a passive activity, GC3 helps students actively engage with the words, ideas and images presented in film.