Regency-inspired romance will fill the evening air as Scenic City Shakespeare presents “Much Ado About Nothing” on the porch of the historic Sniteman Cabin this spring. The nonprofit company’s latest production will run Fridays and Saturdays at 7 p.m. through June 14 and continue its mission of offering free Shakespeare in the Park for Chattanooga audiences.
Helmed by co-founder and director Emma Collins, this version of the Bard’s beloved comedy offers more than witty wordplay and romantic misunderstandings; it’s also a labor of love layered with professional talent and a touch of theatrical magic conjured through 3D printing.
A porch becomes a stage
Founded in late 2019 by Collins and creative partner Ryan Laskowski, Scenic City Shakespeare has always embraced unconventional venues – and the porch of Sniteman Cabin at Greenway Farms is no exception. Guests are encouraged to bring their own outdoor chairs and blankets, as seating will not be provided.
As with every Scenic City Shakespeare production, “Much Ado” showcases not just the actors onstage but also a behind-the-scenes team whose dedication is evident in every detail. Collins herself designed the set and props with help from her husband, Will, who 3D-printed faux hedge connectors and fabric-flame torches with built-in fans and lights.
“We enjoy putting the extra effort into these production elements,” Collins says. “They add to the audience’s experience.”
One of the company’s most talked-about props in past productions was a 3D-printed replica of an actor’s head, used during a climactic scene in “Macbeth.” The prop, designed by board member Jake Brown and printed by actor Bryan Basil, helped to deliver a chilling finale.
“It’s one thing to read the line, ‘Behold where stands the usurper’s cursed head,’” Collins says. “It’s another to actually see it raised in front of you.”
The people behind the production
This season’s “Much Ado” comes with a twist: the introduction of a new character, Lady Shakespeare, a gossip columnist-style narrator who bridges scenes and offers the audience a breather from Elizabethan English. Voiced by Brenda Schwab, the sequences feature ballroom dances, slapstick comedy and dramatic reveals.
Actor Hunter Rodgers is taking on the role of Don John, the play’s brooding villain. “I love a villain,” Rodgers says. “Especially one who knows exactly who he is and revels in it. There’s a lot of meat on the bone.”
Rodgers, like many in the cast, has deep roots in Chattanooga’s theater scene and praises Scenic City Shakespeare for its community-minded mission. “The fact that we offer free classical theater to anyone who can make it to the park is something we should protect and celebrate,” he says.
Costume designer Brenda Schwab echoes that sentiment. A veteran of both educational and professional stages, Schwab has been designing theater costumes for 50 years and brings both artistry and mentorship to the company.
“I’m doing lots of custom fittings, alterations and reimagining for ‘Much Ado,’” Schwab says. “We’re a big extended family. I want to support Emma’s vision and help the production shine.”
The vision behind the curtain
Collins also brings a wealth of experience to the stage she now commands.
She first discovered her love for Shakespeare as a child while performing in the fairy scene from “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” at a theater camp. She began her formal training at the Professional Actor Training Program at Chattanooga State Community College, where she met Scenic City Shakespeare co-founder Ryan Laskowski. She later earned her Bachelor of Arts in theater arts from Rose Bruford College in London, drawn to the institution by its storied alumni – including acclaimed actor Gary Oldman.
Collins’ professional journey then took her to New York, where she spent nearly a decade working on Broadway – not as an actor, but as a union representative advocating for performers and stage professionals. Collins eventually returned to Chattanooga and stepped away from theater to focus on real estate and family life.
But she missed the theater terribly, she recalls. While pregnant with her second child, Collins accepted a role in a musical directed by Laskowski. That production reignited her creative ambitions and reconnected her with the local arts community.
In founding Scenic City Shakespeare, Collins sought not only to return to her theatrical roots but also to create something the city lacked: a dedicated, accessible platform for classical theater in an outdoor setting. “Shakespeare in the Park exists in communities all across the country,” she says. “We felt Chattanooga deserved the same.”
Paid professionals
Scenic City Shakespeare operates on a combination of state and local grants, individual donations and business sponsorships. All actors and production staff receive stipends – a rarity among small outdoor theater companies.
“Shakespeare is challenging,” Collins explains. “You need trained actors who can understand the material and convey it to a modern audience.”
While front-of-house volunteers are unpaid, everyone contributing artistically to the show receives a stipend. It’s part of a broader philosophy that values the work of professional artists, many of whom juggle day jobs in other industries, says Collins.
“Our actors work day jobs in health care, human resources, marketing, nonprofit business, food service and more. We would not expect them to work for free. They deserve to be compensated for their work.”
The hope, Collins says, is to raise those stipends incrementally with each season. “We’re a long way from being able to offer a living wage, but we’re committed to growing our capacity to pay artists fairly.”
A community grows
Each Scenic City performance draws many first-timers to live theater. That’s a triumph in itself, says Collins.
“We get people who might never walk into a traditional theater, but they’ll bring a blanket and sit in the park with their family. It makes Shakespeare feel accessible and fun.”
One moment that stands out for Collins came during last year’s Shakespeare Double Feature: When a long-lost character was revealed in “The Comedy of Errors,” the audience reacted with an audible gasp.
“We’re talking about a 400-year-old plot twist,” Collins laughs. “The fact that it still felt fresh and exciting to a new audience motivated me to keep bringing free Shakespeare to Chattanooga.”
Curtain call
“Much Ado About Nothing” promises to continue the tradition of breathing new life into classic stories. On the porch of a historic cabin, under an open sky, Scenic City Shakespeare will once again invite audiences to enjoy a live performance.
All they ask in return is their time and attention – and lawn chairs.