Bare Bodkins Theatre Company was established by Ivan Fuller in 1997. Ivan and his wife, Vickie, directed and acted in productions and created the Bare Bodkins mission: producing Shakespeare in a fun, accessible way.

Since 1997, Bare Bodkins has become known for honoring original Shakespearean stage practices like using simple set and prop pieces, contemporary costumes, audience participation, and small casts in which actors play multiple roles. In Shakespeare’s day, women weren’t allowed to perform on the public stage, so all characters were played by men. Bare Bodkins makes up for history by using gender-blind casting. This means actors often play characters of the opposite gender. As actors performing in 16th Century theaters like The Globe, Bare Bodkins actors play within a thrust stage configuration in the open air with the gorgeous natural backdrop of the ruins of the Queen Bee Mill.

In 2011, Ivan and Vickie left Sioux Falls for the east coast, and left Bare Bodkins in the hands of long-time company member Jayna Fitzsimmons and her husband, Rj. Jayna and Rj plan to carry on the Bare Bodkins tradition of producing quality, professional theatre in the beauty of Sioux Falls parks for many years to come. 

Bare Bodkins Theatre Company was established by Ivan Fuller in 1997. Ivan and his wife, Vickie, directed and acted in productions and created the Bare Bodkins mission: producing Shakespeare in a fun, accessible way.

In 2011, Ivan and Vickie left Sioux Falls for the east coast, and left Bare Bodkins in the hands of long-time company member Jayna Gearhart Fitzsimmons and her husband, Rj. Since then, Jayna and Rj have carried on the Bare Bodkins tradition of producing quality, professional theatre in the beauty of Sioux Falls parks.

Since 1997, Bare Bodkins has become known for honoring original Shakespearean stage practices like using simple set and prop pieces, contemporary costumes, audience participation, and small casts in which actors play multiple roles. In Shakespeare's day, women weren't allowed to perform on the public stage, so all characters were played by men. Bare Bodkins makes up for history by using what we call gender-interesting casting. This means actors often play characters of  genders other than their own. And like actors performing in 16th Century theaters like The Globe, Bare Bodkins actors play within a thrust stage configuration in the open air with the gorgeous natural backdrop of the ruins of the Queen Bee Mill

Thousands of audience members have enjoyed Bare Bodkins productions over the years, and we hope our productions will become a summer tradition for your family!

Jayna Gearhart and Rj Fitzsimmons
Artistic Director and Production Manager