When Nez Gray-Freeman first read “Romeo and Juliet” in the 9th grade, an an immediate love of Shakespeare was discovered. Now, after years of acting and assistant directing productions with Vallejo Shakespeare in the Park, Gray-Freeman is taking the reins for the upcoming run of “As You Like it.”

“As You Like it” is sometimes considered an “oddball play,” says Gray-Freeman. The plot, which involves banished members of a Duke’s court, young love and a woman disguised as a shepherd boy, can also be hard to follow. But Gray-Freeman says navigating the storytelling comes naturally.

“I like the storytelling part and being able to bring something to life for people to enjoy,” says Gray-Freeman.

William Shakespeare’s influence on the English language is unparalleled. Words such as “lonely,” “questioning” and “worthless” were first recorded in his works, according to the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust. However, not all of his cleverly combined nouns and verbs translate easily today.

For many, the first introduction to Shakespeare’s plays was met with confusion and little-to-no understanding of the plot, but that couldn’t be further from Gray-Freeman’s experience. “I thought, ‘I don’t get why people don’t understand this,’” Gray-Freeman says of an initial introduction to Shakespeare’s plays back in the ninth grade.

Despite others viewing the play as inaccessible, Gray-Freeman was always drawn to the playwright’s stories. In 2013, Gray-Freeman decided to try out for Shakespeare in the park and the rest is history. This summer, Gray-Freeman is taking on the role of director for a park production of “As You Like it.”

The dialogue in “As You Like it” is also less “flowery,” or traditionally Shakespearean, says Gray-Freeman, and slapstick comedic aspects of the show make it more accessible to a modern audience.

The first show of “As You Like it” is on July 26. Just two weeks out, the cast was preparing for its very first rehearsal.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, Shakespeare in the Park has been functioning with an expedited timeline, leaving just two weeks for rehearsals, says Gray-Freeman. The shortened rehearsal period, from a traditional six week long process, comes with both positives and negatives.

The actors are functioning on less information about the show as a whole, as actors only receive their scenes for memorizing. But as the director, Gray-Freeman says having all of the actors come into rehearsal with their lines memorized makes the play feel more organic and natural. “These guys are going to be making discoveries through the text,” says Gray-Freeman.

Due to the short rehearsal time and the outdoor nature of the shows, Gray-Freeman says audiences should come expecting the unexpected.

Performing outside also comes with challenges to navigate. For one, the actors must project their voices loud enough to combat vehicle sirens, the wind and other unpredictable factors, says Gray-Freeman. In addition, the play will be performed at a variety of parks and each park has a different definition of a stage. Hanns Park in Vallejo has a full shell, while at other parks a performing area is being constructed.

But Gray-Freeman and the play’s 12 actors are prepared to deliver a stellar performance. After all, as Shakespeare writes in the play, “All the world’s a stage.”

Visit Vallejoshakespeare.org for more information on dates and showtimes.

If you go …

WHAT: Shakespeare in the Park

WHEN: July 26 and 27, 4 p.m.

WHERE: Hanns Park, 198 Skyline Dr., Vallejo.