The character of Bottom is portrayed by Jason Young in the Rustic Mechanicals’ production of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” Courtesy photo

SHEPHERDSTOWN — Shepherd University’s Contemporary Theater Studies Program is hosting a residency of the Rustic Mechanicals, West Virginia’s only professional touring Shakespeare troupe, that will include a public performance of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” on Tuesday, at 7 p.m. in the Marinoff Theater.

Tickets are $10 at the door for the public and free for Shepherd students and employees with a valid Rambler ID.

The Rustic Mechanicals is a subsidiary of Vintage Theatre Company, a West Virginia-based performing arts group with goals of developing talent, providing an outlet for creative expression and bringing entertainment to towns across the state. The Rustic Mechanicals is the only troupe of actors in West Virginia dedicated to touring the works of William Shakespeare and other classical playwrights.

In addition to the public performance, the Rustic Mechanicals’ residency includes a performance of “A Midsummer Night’s dream” on Tuesday morning for local high school students.

The residency also enables Shepherd students to learn from Vintage Theatre Company Artistic Director Jason Young, who will conduct an improvisation master class with contemporary theater studies students and talk to the arts management class about nonprofit versus for-profit management and running an arts organization.