Who We Are Shakespeare in the Arb (SITA) is a unique collaboration between Matthaei Botanical Gardens & Nichols Arboretum (MBGNA) and the Residential College (RC). For 19 years, we have provided the University and Ann Arbor community with engaging, magical theater in an inspiring natural setting. Originally funded by a grant from the Ford Foundation, the annual production is now fully funded each year from ticket revenue. What We Do The magic of “Shakespeare in the Arb” is that there is no stage, the action moves through the 120 acre Arboretum and the audience follows the actors. Each part of the play happens in a different setting and incorporates the natural elements of each: hills, trees, bushes are as much a part of the action as the actors are. The staging process is in collaboration with, and inspired by the Arb. We encourage new actors and seasoned professionals to be part of our SITA family. Each year’s cast is made up of community and university members alike, with over half of the cast being U-M students, faculty, or staff. We intentionally create an environment in which people of different ages and backgrounds collaborate, and this helps to push students out of their comfort zone and into a balanced ensemble.
