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William Shakespeare’s comedy As You Like It gets a contemporary gender-fluid update by the UC Davis Department of Theatre and Dance. Directed by Josy Miller (Ph.D., performance studies, ’15), the classic opens the department’s 2023–24 season on Nov. 16 in the Main Theatre, Wright Hall. 

In the play, ambitious Duke Frederick deposes and banishes his brother, the rightful ruler, Duke Senior. At an online gaming contest, Rosalind, daughter of the Duke Senior, becomes enamored of the gamer Orlando. But before they can pursue their mutual attraction, Rosalind finds herself banished by her vengeful uncle. Disguising herself as a young man, Rosalind flees to the Forest of Arden for refuge along with her cousin Celia and the court’s fool, Touchstone. Once there, the trio find themselves entangled in a series of rustic romances and misadventures. A pastoral comedy, this production artfully and humorously explores themes of love, gender fluidity, sexuality and injustice.

“At [its] core, ‘As You Like It’ is about joy as a radical act of resilience and resistance in the midst of an unjust world,” said Miller. “A story that bravely explores the intersections of love, desire, gender, sexuality and identity — every character experiences a transformation in relationship to these intersections. Whether that is realizing belonging, embracing the fullness and complexity of their identity, or finally recognizing who it is they truly love.”

At UC Davis, Miller directed the world premiere of {LOVE/logic} in 2019 and her own original production of The Dogs of War in 2014. Miller was artistic director at Hapgood Theatre Company in Antioch, California, where she directed more than a dozen productions. She also directed for the Atmos Theatre Company in San Francisco and for the Eugene O’Neill Foundation in Danville, California. Since 2016, Miller has worked as an arts programs specialist for the California Arts Council.

Colin Minigan, a doctoral student in music composition at UC Davis, wrote an original score for the production. The creative team also includes scenic design by Ian Wallace and costume design by Joanne Martin, who both teach in the theatre and dance program. Assistant Professor Ethan Hollinger designed light and media for the production. 

As You Like It runs Nov. 16, 17, 18, 30 and Dec. 1 at 7 p.m. and Dec. 2 at 2 p.m. 

Adult tickets are $15, faculty/staff tickets are $12, and student/senior tickets are $5. Tickets may be purchased at the Aggie Ticket Office, located on the north side of Aggie Stadium, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays, by phone 530-752-2471 during the same hours, or online.

The Department of Theatre and Dance’s 2023–24 season includes The Laramie Project and a workshop of an original hip-hop theatrical musical performance work in winter 2024; an Outside the Lines dance concert and a production of Our Town will be featured in the spring. 

The Department of Theatre and Dance is part of the College of Letters and Science at UC Davis.