Theater lovers will have the chance to travel back in time to see authentic Shakespearean drama.

The English department, in cooperation with the College of Continuing Education and the Office of International and Special Projects, is sponsoring the fourth annual Stratford Theater Festival trip to Ontario, Canada from Aug. 7-10.

The trip will feature Shakespearean as well as classical and contemporary drama, and will include such plays as “As You Like It,” “Macbeth,” and “Julius Caesar,” by William Shakespeare, and the musical “Guys and Dolls,” by Abe Burrows, Jo Swerling and Frank Loesser.

Deborah Booth, Coordinator for the College of Continuing Education likes the festival because of its authenticity. “Because these actors have been doing theater for such a long time, they have created a very authentic Shakespearean theater,” she said.

Katherine Wright, the trip’s director, has taught in NIU’s English department for four years. She has earned her master’s and doctoral degrees from Indiana University with a major research interest in Shakespeare in performance.

Other features of the trip include an informal pre-trip seminar on Thursday, Aug. 2, a backstage tour of the Festival Theater, meeting with a festival artist, and an optional tour of Stratford.

“The whole theater, the acting and the shows, were marvelous,” Booth said. “They have made a science out of doing this festival.”

The price of the trip is $380, double occupancy, or $430 for single occupancy and will include travel, guest accommodations and theater tickets.

The trip is open to anyone and the registration deadline is Friday. For more information call Booth at 753-6913.