The Georgia Shakespeare Festival storms into its 12th season with Shakespeare’s The Tempest, playing in its new home at the Miriam H. and John A. Conant Performing Arts Center in Atlanta, June 20 through Aug. 17.

The Festival sets its version of the classic 1911, “at the end of one civilization and the beginning of another, “ says director Sabin Epstein. “[It] seems analogous to the Elizabethan reign when Shakespeare wrote. Setting it in the more familiar Edwardian period makes it more accessible for contemporary audiences.”

Prospero is played by John Ammerman, and daughter Miranda is played by GSF summer acting intern Caroline E. Summers. Other performers include Thomas Shaw as Ferdinand, Saxon Palmer as Ariel, Tim McDonough as Caliban, Chris Kayser, Allen O’Reilly, T.S. Morgan and Brad Sherrill.

On July 3, Sheridan’s The School For Scandal will run with The Tempest in repertory, joined by Othello on July 18. The festival closes Aug. 17.

The new Performing Arts Center is located at Oglethorpe University, and will be shared with the University for the other six months of the year. It features a 511-seat theatre, with walls that can be raised to let in the open air, or stay closed to insulate the air-conditioning on balmy nights. Picnics can be ordered on site or in advance, and tables are located on the lawn. For tickets or more information, call (404) 264-0020, or refer to the Georgia Shakespeare Festival on Playbill On-Line.

--By Blair Glaser