The IU School of Liberal Arts welcomes the American Shakespeare Center’s “Piercing Eloquence Tour” to IUPUI Feb. 25-March 2. The ASC’s residency will include performances for the general public at the Christian Theological Seminary of two of Shakespeare’s most controversial plays: The Merchant of Venice and Henry V, plus a special scene performance co-sponsored by the IU School of Law-Indianapolis at Inlow Hall on the IUPUI campus.

The ASC will also be conducting workshops for actors and students that explore Shakespeare’s themes of leadership in Henry V, bigotry in The Merchant of Venice and women’s liberation in The Taming of the Shrew, as well as classes such as “Stage Combat” and “Shakespeare on Your Feet.”

Tickets are just $10 for the public performances, which include: Henry V, directed by Giles Block of London’s Globe Theatre, at CTS, 1000 W. 42nd St., Feb. 28 and March 1 at 7 p.m.; and The Merchant of Venice, directed by P.J. Paparelli, artistic director of Alaska’s Perseverance Theatre, at CTS March 2 at 2 p.m. The ASC, one of the country’s most acclaimed acting troupes, will recreate original Shakespearean production techniques – such as a stage surrounded by the audience on three sides – demonstrating authentic Elizabethan theater.

“Shakespeare in the Courtroom,” a program featuring the courtroom scene from The Merchant of Venice with a panel discussion, takes place Feb. 26 at 5:30 p.m. in Inlow Hall, 530 W. New York St.

For tickets, e-mail English@iupui.edu or call 317-274-9841. To learn more about the ASC, visit http://www.americanshakespearecenter.com.