The steps of Old Main aren’t usually put in the same category as the Globe Theatre in London, but come April 15, it will try its best to emulate the famous theatre.

In a collaboration between the Penn State School of Theatre and the Penn State School of Music, a production of Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare will be performed on April 15 and 16 on the steps of Old Main. On April 17, the play will be preceded by a concert featuring the Penn State Philharmonic Orchestra.

“I was always interested in doing something on the steps of Old Main,” said Travis DeCastro, associate director for production for the School of Theatre. “Including the Philharmonic Orchestra is one of those serendipitous things — it was just an idea, and then things all came together.”

The unique production will be very large for the play, utilizing the talents of nearly 400 students and faculty.  The College of Communications will also provide a livestream of the event for those unable to attend in person.

With the weather in State College being what it is, the production will be moved to the Playhouse Theatre if necessary. The performances will be free to the public. The performances on April 15 and 16 will take place at 7:30 p.m., and the performance April 17 will start at 6:30 p.m. with the orchestra followed by the play at 7:45 p.m.

Below, theatre and music faculty discuss the upcoming performance.