William’S Classic Comedy

FREE
July 24-28

at the Bowl in Clark Park
Directed by Ontaria Kim Wilson

Dive into the enchanting world of Shakespeare's As You Like It at Clark Park! Join us under the stars for captivating performances, live music, and family-friendly fun as we transform the park into the forest of Ardenne. We're inviting you as an audience member or performer through a special partnership with Rise Choir Collective. Don't miss out on this magical theatrical experience!

Ontaria Kim Wilson

is a multi hyphenated artist based out  Philadelphia, PA. She holds a BA in Theatre (Acting Concentration) and she is currently a MFA Directing Candidate at Temple University Class of 2025. She is a founding member of  Rennie Harris Puremovement Hip Hop Theatre Company. Toured with R & B recording artist Gina Thompson; Hip Hop recording Artist Eve ( performances on Soul Train, Show Time at The Apollo, NFL Under The Helmet, Motown Live, and The Conan O’Brien Show); and  her next honor was choreographing and performing with the legendary Teddy Pendergrass. She toured with Teddy throughout the USA and was honored to perform with Teddy in his last recorded performance “From Teddy With Love.”

In 2013 Ontaria left her job at The Hospital of The University of Pennsylvania to pursue the arts full time. That year she wrote and produced her first stage play “The Healing” which was inspired by University of Penn’s Radiation Oncology Department. Immediately following "The Healing" she wrote, produced, and directed her next play  “Detox.” Detox has transformed the lives of many people because of its message of healing the family by decreasing the use and power we give modern technology and social media. Detox has been in rotation for seven years and has been adapted into a feature film. Ontaria erected her third explosive stage production “Beautiful Toxicity” which proved to be the catalyst for her first solo author experience. Because of the audience’s request for more she converted the play into a book under the same title.

Her love for theater has afforded her the following Regional opportunities: “Alien Nation” (Williamstown Theater Festival/ Michael Arden/Ensemble); “School Girls or The African Mean Girls Play” (Arden Theatre/Headmistress Francis); “Wine In The Wilderness” (Egopo Classic Theatre/Tommy); “Les Blancs” (Egopo Classic Theatre/Woman & Dramaturg); Barrymore nominated “The Ways of White Folks” ( Egopo Classic Theater/Co Director & Co Adapter); Barrymore nominated “American Fas”t (InterAct Theatre Co/Coach); “From Okra To Greens”/Ntozake Shange (Temple Theatres/Director & Choreographer); and curatorial committee member for Egopo Classic Theatre’s 2023-2024 Crossing Oceans Season.

“Before any of my creations manifest into tangible products, I first see. I see characters moving to the keys of life before they manifest in my choreography, acting, writing, or directing. I respond to what I see by writing plays, screenplays, and leading a group of actors in a quest to flush out the state of our human condition. These stories beckon me to excavate their worlds so that the human condition is able to face itself through the cracked mirrors of life. I choreograph the words the heart tries to speak but is too fragile to break through. I am in a constant state of becoming while gazing through the eyes of the characters that live through me and share their truths.” - Ontaria