Father Prospero, played by Julia Wergeles, and daughter Miranda, played by Jasmine Salata, live an isolated life on an island until he magically causes a shipwreck to gain revenge on those who exiled them there in 'The Tempest' directed by Irwin Appel. (Jeff Liang)
Father Prospero, played by Julia Wergeles, and daughter Miranda, played by Jasmine Salata, live an isolated life on an island until he magically causes a shipwreck to gain revenge on those who exiled them there in ‘The Tempest.’ (Jeff Liang)

Storms, betrayal and revenge are in the air, but so are enchantment, love, and even redemption when Naked Shakes presents Shakespeare’s “The Tempest” in three outdoor performances at Elings Park’s Godric Grove, 5 p.m. Thursday and Friday, Sept. 11-12, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 14.

Currently celebrating its 20th season, the UCSB ensemble presents a new production in its hallmark style of raw, energetic Shakespeare, based on the power of the actors and the language of the Bard.

Irwin Appel’s staging promises to be an innovative visual feast, filled with movement and choreography by longtime UCSB colleague Christina McCarthy, and an original score composed and performed live by Santa Barbara composer and musician Jim Connolly.

Advance general admission tickets are $17 for adults, $13 for teens and seniors, free for children under age 12. Tickets available at www.elingspark.org. Tickets will be sold at the door as available, at $20 for adults, $15 for teens and seniors.

Parking, which is limited, is $6 per vehicle. Cushions are available for rent for $10.

“I can’t think of a better place to perform a play around magic and romance than outdoors at Godric Grove,” said Dean Noble, Elings Park executive director.

“We’re eagerly anticipating the ‘brave new world’ that Naked Shakes will create on stage. They will storm the stage with youthful enthusiasm,” Noble said.

A magical storm, a powerful magician, and a journey to forgiveness are at the heart of “The Tempest.” It was the second Naked Shakes production after its founding by Professor Irwin Appel at UCSB in 2006.

Appel has since served as both chair of the Department of Theater and Dance and Director of its BFA Actor Training Program.

“My philosophy was and is that the best way to study a play is to perform it,” Appel said. “Naked Shakes is not only a theater company, but a way to approach language and make a Shakespearean production accessible and exciting for everyone.

“It is actor-generated theatricality. The actor and the word, a few elements, and the imagination of the audience create magic together.”

While Past Naked Shakes productions have included guest artists and faculty members, the current this show is performed entirely by students and undergraduate mentors in the Experiencing Shakespeare intensive, taught at UCSB each summer by Appel and James Kearney, professor and chair of the Department of English.

“As with all Naked Shakes shows, the ensemble of actors creates everything, which allows actors to take on different roles and even different genders,” Appel said. “For example, Ariel is played by a seven-person chorus in this staging, and Caliban by two actors.”

Beyond its campus performances, the company has appeared at Italy’s Verona Shakespeare Fringe Festival, Southwest Shakespeare Company at Taliesin West (Scottsdale, Arizona), Shakespeare Center of Los Angeles, Westmont College, and Center Stage Theater in Santa Barbara.

Learn more at www.theaterdance.ucsb.edu/performance-programs/naked-shakes.