Showing posts with label Shakespeare. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Shakespeare. Show all posts

Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Tiffany Stern Lectures on 'Der Bestrafte Brudermord,' at the Harry Ransom Center, University of Texas, January 16, 2014


Tiffany Stern (image via Hidden Room Theatre)
Tiffany Stern (image via Hidden Room Theatre)
Join The Hidden Room in welcoming scholar/superhero Tiffany Stern to Austin! She'll be speaking as the honored Thomas Cranfill Lecturer on the mysterious Der Bestrafte Brudermord, and why it might, or might not be a puppet show. Absolutely free, and completely priceless. Don't miss this wildly influential and delightful individual.

Many thanks to the UT English Department for their kind sponsorship of this event.

Tiffany Stern is a Professor of Early Modern Drama (English Faculty), and Beaverbrook and Bouverie Fellow in English (University College) at Oxford University.

Tiffany specialises in Shakespeare, theatre history from the sixteenth to the eighteenth century, book history and editing. Her work arises from an interest in the contexts that shaped the ways playwrights wrote and actors performed. Her first book was Rehearsal from Shakespeare to Sheridan; her second book, Making Shakespeare, focused on Shakespeare’s London, actors, theatres, props and music. Both books are used by theatre companies interested in experimenting with ‘original’ methods of Shakespearean production. Shakespeare in Parts, a book she co-wrote with fellow Oxford faculty member Simon Palfrey, concentrates on Shakespeare as a playwright and actor performing from, and writing for, 'parts' (the texts actors received, consisting of cues and speeches, nothing else). Combining Simon’s expertise as an interpreter and Tiffany’s as a theatre historian, it is a work that takes its interpretative momentum from archival research to discover not only a newly active, choice-ridden actor, but also a new Shakespeare. It is complemented by Documents of Performance in Shakespearean England, which considers the other papers of performance not examined in 'Parts': plot-scenarios, playbills, arguments, prologues, songs, scrolls and backstage-plots.

Tiffany is also an editor, and has produced editions of the anonymous King Leir, Richard Sheridan’s The Rivals, and George Farquhar’s The Recruiting Officer.


Monday, November 4, 2013

Austin Statesman feature on Fixing King John, Kirk Lynn's Adapation for the Rude Mechs, November 7 - 24, 2013


For the record: the Austin Statesman publishes a feature on the Rude Mech's Fixing King John by Kirk Lynn (November 7 - 24 at the Off Center, 2211-A Hidalgo Street), available only behind its subscriber pay wall. One-day on-line access is 99 cents.

Kirk Lynn Rude Mechs via Statesman 2013 11
Kirk Lynn (via Austin Statesman)
Van Ryzin: Fix Shakespeare? Kirk Lynn and the Rude Mechanicals give it a try
By Jeanne Claire van Ryzin American-Statesman Staff November 2, 2013


William Shakespeare wrote 37 plays.

Or 39 if you’re the Folger Shakespeare Library, which includes one play that scholars maintain was lost to history. Then again, some scholars claim there are two lost Shakespeare plays. (Counting Shakespeare’s plays is a veritable academic cottage industry and the source of much intellectual tussle.)

This story continues on our new premium website for subscribers, MyStatesman.com. 


Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Auditions for Romeo and Juliet by Shakespeare, Baron's Men, November 6 and 9, 2013



The Baron's Men Austin TX The Baron’s Men company is looking for actors ages 18 and up for its spring 2014 production of Romeo and Juliet. Auditions will be held at The Curtain Theatre on Wednesday, November 6, from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday, November 9, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., with callbacks on Saturday, November 9 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.


Romeo and Juliet Signet editionActors are asked to prepare a 1-2 minute monologue from any early modern drama. Sides from the play will be provided at auditions. Please bring a resume and head shot or a recent snap shot. 


The role of Nurse has been precast. All other roles are open. Actors of all ethnic/racial backgrounds are encouraged to audition. Some roles will be considered for cross-gender casting. 


The play will be performed in a near uncut state, in period costumes and with period effects at The Curtain Theatre, an Elizabethan style outdoor theater approximately one third the size of London’s Globe Theatre.


Rehearsals are scheduled to start in mid-January. Performance dates are April 4, 5, April 11, 12, April 17, 18, 19, and April 24, 25, 26. Actor call times will be at 6:30 p.m. All shows will begin at 8 p.m.


Please e-mail audition@thebaronsmen.org to set up an audition appointment and include your date and time preference. If you are not able to audition on these dates, let us know and we will find an alternative time slot for you.


Are you interested in working as stage crew, or helping with costumes and props?The Baron’s Men work to provide a total experience. We are always looking for volunteers to assist with costumes, props, parking, vending, and much more. If you would like to help out, please contact audition@thebaronsmen.org and let us know what interests you.

Monday, September 23, 2013

Opportunity: Three Shakespeare Workshops with Kat Steffens, starting October 28 or November 3, 2013


ACTING WORKSHOP WITH KAT STEFFENS

Kat SteffansUsing Shakespeare’s Folio techniques to unlock your emotional depth and create a richer understanding of classic as well as contemporary scripts


Kat Steffens is a working actress with her BFA in acting from DePaul’s prestigious Theatre School in Chicago. She had extensive Shakespeare training at DePaul as well as two years intense Shakespeare Folio Technique study with the Chicago leading lady Susan Hart and Julliard graduate/ leading man Jeffrey Carlson from 2008-2010. She has privately coached and mentored acting students for three years.


Kat plays Jacqueline Kennedy in the upcoming Tom Hanks produced film Parkland. Her Shakespeare skills led to a final screen test with the director, Peter Landesman. She was asked to perform a tragic Shakespeare monologue for the callback, which landed her the role. Tom Hanks also started his career doing Shakespeare in Ohio.


“Shakespeare is a great skill to have in your back pocket as an actor. I firmly believe that if you have a strong 
understanding of Shakespeare, it will make you a better actor in contemporary film and theater.” –Kat Steffens

Three weekly sessions: LIMIT 10 students per session
1. Sundays November 3, 10, and 17 from 2-5 PM at Rose Movement Studio: 2015 E Riverside Dr. Austin, TX 78741
2. Mondays October 28, November 4 and 11 from 7-10 PM at a North Austin Location

WEEK ONE: PREPARE Students will learn the concepts of Folio technique and apply them to an assigned audition monologue based on age/ casting type. Packets of detailed material will be provided as a reference guide. Students also will have their classmates’ monologues in their packets so they leave the workshop familiar with several monologues. They will study the language and arc of their assigned monologue to make the monologue audition ready. *Please bring a pen and notepad- a LOT of information will be covered!
WEEK TWO: EXPLORE Students will come to class with their assigned monologues memorized. We will explore the monologue, character, and world of the character through exercises focusing on the voice, the body, the language, the punctuation, beats, and the emotional life of the character. Students will develop a closer understanding of the character and monologue, gaining comfort and ease with the heightened language. *Please wear comfortable clothes you can move in and have monologue “by heart.”
WEEK THREE: PERFORM Students will do some final exploration of their monologue and perform it for the class. Kat will spend time with each student; directing and adjusting moments of their monologues make them more audition ready and real. The final performance of each monologue will be taped; and footage will be provided to students for their acting reels. All students will leave the workshop with an understanding of Folio technique, packets of information and monologues, as well as an audition ready Shakespeare monologue on tape.

$150 for the Entire Workshop $50 deposit needed to hold your spot (remaining $100 cash or check due at first class). Register early to reserve your spot in the workshop. Cash or checks only, please.

Contact Kat at 312-810-9040 or FadoFilms@gmail.com to register. Please include your headshot and resume when registering, as well as previous Shakespeare experience and knowledge.

Monday, September 16, 2013

Costumer wanted for 'Macbeth' at City Theatre


City Theatre Austin TXWitches, spirits, insane wives...City Theatre is looking for someone to help assist with MACBETH costumes. 

Macbeth City Theatre Austin Runs October 10 - November 3. 

Compensation is offered. Let us know if interested. 

info@citytheatreaustin.org

Thursday, September 12, 2013

Opportunity: 3-session Shakespeare Acting Workshops with Kat Steffans, Starting Monday, Sept 16 or Tuesday, Sept 17, 2013



SHAKESPEARE ACTING WORKSHOPS WITH KAT STEFFENS


Using Shakespeare’s Folio techniques to unlock your emotional depth and create a richer understanding of classic as well as contemporary scripts


Kat Steffens, actress
Kat Steffens
Kat Steffens is a working actress with her BFA in acting from DePaul’s prestigious Theatre School in Chicago. She had a year of Shakespeare training at DePaul as well as two years intense Shakespeare Folio Technique study with the Chicago leading lady Susan Hart and Julliard graduate/ leading man Jeffrey Carlson. She has privately coached and mentored acting students for three years. Kat plays Jackie Kennedy in the upcoming Tom-Hanks-produced film Parkland. Her Shakespeare skills led to a final screen test with the director, Peter Landesman. She was asked to perform a tragic Shakespeare monologue for the callback, which landed her the role. Tom Hanks also started his career doing Shakespeare in Ohio.


“Shakespeare is a great skill to have in your back pocket as an actor. I firmly believe that if you have a strong understanding of Shakespeare, it will make you a better actor in contemporary film and theater.” –Kat Steffens


Three week sessions: LIMIT 10 students per session (Austin location TBD)

1. Mondays September 16, 23, and 30th from 7-10 PM

2. Tuesdays September 17, 24, and October 1st from 7-10 PM


WEEK ONE: PREPARE Students will learn the concepts of Folio technique and apply them to an assigned audition monologue based on age/ casting type. Packets of detailed material will be provided as a reference guide. Students also will have their classmates’ monologues in their packets so they leave the workshop familiar with several monologues. They will study the language and arc of their assigned monologue to make the monologue audition ready. *Please bring a pen and notepad- a LOT of information will be covered!


WEEK TWO: EXPLORE Students will come to class with their assigned monologues memorized. We will explore the monologue, character, and world of the character through exercises focusing on the voice, the body, the language, the punctuation, beats, and the emotional life of the character. Students will develop a closer understanding of the character and monologue, gaining comfort and ease with the heightened language. *Please wear comfortable clothes you can move in and have monologue memorized.


WEEK THREE: PERFORM Students will do some final exploration of their monologue and perform it for the class. Kat will spend time with each student; directing and adjusting moments of their monologues make them more audition ready and real. The final performance of each monologue will be taped; and footage will be provided to students for their acting reels. All students will leave the workshop with an understanding of Folio technique, packets of information and monologues, as well as an audition ready Shakespeare monologue on tape.


ONLY $150 for the Entire Workshop! $50 deposit needed to hold your spot ($100 cash or check due at first class). Register early to reserve your spot in the workshop. Cash or checks only, please. 


Contact Kat at 312-810-9040 or FadoFilms@gmail.com to register. Please include your headshot and resume when registering.

Thursday, June 6, 2013

A LITTLE MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM, adapted from Shakespeare by Brendan Milburn, Valerie Vigoda and Gene Lewin, University of Texas, June 27, 2013



Free Reading of New Rock Musical “A Little Midsummer Night’s Dream”

Little Midsummer Night's Dream

Music and Lyrics by Brendan Milburn, Valerie Vigoda, and Gene Lewin
Adaptation of William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream by Brendan Milburn and Valerie Vigoda
Conceived, Directed and Choreographed by Janet Roston
Music Direction by Ryan O’Connell


June 27 at 8:00 p.m.
B. Iden Payne Theatre


Tickets: Free Admission





About the A Little Midsummer Night’s Dream Created by songwriters Valerie Vigoda, Brendan Milburn and Gene Lewin, A Little Midsummer Night’s Dream is a rock-musical adaptation of William Shakespeare’s beloved classic. Set in modern day at an outdoor rock festival, the musical is a collision of rock, iambic pentameter and glow sticks where rock stars Titania and Oberon quarrel over an electric guitar, circus performer Puck creates havoc and roadie Bottom finally gets a chance to shine.

The creative team of A Little Midsummer Night’s Dream has been invited to develop their new musical in residence at The University of Texas at Austin as part of the Texas Musical Theatre Workshop. This summer program, hosted at The University of Texas at Austin, is a pre-collegiate intensive for high school students exploring a potential career in musical theatre. Workshop participants are trained by industry professionals and are exposed to the creative process of new work development.

About the Creative Team
Members of the musical trio GrooveLily, Vigoda and Milburn have received critical acclaim for their theatrical work, including Striking 12 (Lucille Lortel Nomination for Best Musical) and Sleeping Beauty Wakes (Two Ovation Awards, including World Premiere Musical).


Directions and ParkingPatrons are encouraged to purchase parking in advance at a discounted rate at https://utparking.clickandpark.com/venues. The discounted parking is only available online until 10pm, the day prior to an event. Please note that there is no longer free parking on campus. Learn more.

For more information about A Midsummer Night’s Dream, call 512-471-5793.
(Click to go to the AustinLiveTheatre front page)

Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Funding Appeal: Much Ado About Nothing, Shakespeare, City Theatre, June 13 - July 7, 2013


An Indiegogo appeal for contributions to help compensate the cast of 19 for the

City Theatre Austin TX








production of

Much Ado About Nothing Shakespeare City Theatre Austin

by William Shakespeare
directed by Bridget Fairas
June 13 - July 7, 2013
Thursdays - Saturdays at 8 p.m., Sundays at 5:30 p.m.
(3823 Airport Rd. at 38 1/2 St., behind the Shell station)

Shakespeare’s Sublime Battle of Wits and Wills. 

Click the IndieGoGo logo for more information and to check progress of the campaign:


IndieGoGO





Considered one of the most popular and charming comedies, Much Ado About Nothing features the classic couple Benedick, an arrogant and confirmed bachelor, and Beatrice, his favorite sparring partner, who would rather exchange scorching insults than sweet nothings. However, the pugnacious pair is forced to forge a partnership in order to defend house and honor, and salvage the true love of Hero and Claudio after deceptions destroy the lovers’ wedding day. Will the earnest endeavor to restore a young romance elicit an unexpected change of heart for the effort’s unlikely collaborators as well? Witty wordplay, passionate poetry and clever plot twists make this the perfect romantic evening to share love and laughter.



Monday, May 20, 2013

(*) Proxy Theatre's 2013-2014 Season, San Antonio

Proxy Theatre San Antonio TX







Proxy Theatre is excited to announce Season 3!

Bloodlines:

A series of plays concerning those tenuous lines that connect us; and the things that sever them.

Dates to be announced --


Mine

by Laura Marks
directed by Aaron Aguilar

Hamlet

by William Shakespeare
directed by Samantha Granberg

The Aliens

by Annie Baker
directed by Aaron Aguilar

Saturday, May 11, 2013

Auditions for A Midsummer Night's Dream and for Street Theatre, Present Company, May 23 and 26, 2013



Present Company, Austin TXPresent Company is thrilled to announce auditions for our next two projects, Shakespeare On the Farm: A Midsummer Night's Dream, and Happenstance. First-round auditions for both projects will be Thursday, May 23rd, 6:30-9pm at the Carver Museum, 1165 Angelina Street (click for map ) and Sunday May 26th, 2-5pm at The Circus Tent, 6404 Hergotz Lane (click for map). 

Please email headshot/resume, ideal audition time, and specified project (actors are welcome to audition for both!) to presentcompanyaustin@gmail.com for an appointment. Walk-ins will be seen as time allows. All projects have actor stipends/profit shares.


Our fifth Shakespeare On the Farm, A Midsummer Night's Dream, will open the second week of September at the magical Rain Lily Farm in East Austin. Rehearsals will begin late July/early August. Actors are asked to prepare a 2-minute comedic Shakespearean monologue. Callbacks will be Saturday, June 1st at Rain Lily Farm, 10-2 pm.

AND

Happenstance, a roaming street theatre piece, will be performed in and around Austin at various times and locations. Happenstance is based in movement, rhythm, and rhyme, and we are looking for triple threats and good movers unafraid of some fun displays of public performance. This is a collaborative endeavor in which all participants contribute to the creation of the piece. Rehearsals will begin late June. Please have a 1-2 minute contemporary monologue or poem (original encouraged) prepared. Movement-oriented callbacks will be the following week.

Thanks and break legs!

Thursday, March 14, 2013

The Tempest by Shakespeare, Land of Virtuosity classes at Carmack Performing Arts Complex, San Antonio, March 22 - April 7, 2013






Land of Virtuosity San Antonio TX












[studio and classes at 8216 Broadway at Flamingo, San Antonio, TX 78209]

[live theatre performances at the CARMACK Performing Arts Complex - 1948 Austin Highway, San Antonio, Texas, 78218]

presents


The Tempest Shakespeare Land of Virtuosity San Antonio

CLICK IMAGE TO GO TO TICKET PAGE

March 22nd to March 24th, 2013
and
April 5th to April 7th, 2013


Land of Virtuosity
 
William Shakespeare performed by LOV class members

A Family Friendly adaptation of this Magical Shakespeare Tale!

The PERFECT opportunity to introduce Shakespearean Theatre
to your whole family. Children will especially enjoy this famous work performed by their peers.

Our production is light, magical and created to inspire a love of Shakespeare to those who have never seen a Shakespearean Play, as well as thrill those who have loved Shakespeare their whole life.

Join Us!

Location: Located withing the CARMACK Performing Arts Complex - 1948 Austin Highway, San Antonio, Texas, 78218
Times: March 22nd through March 24th, then April 5th through April 7th, 2013 Fridays and Saturdays at 6:00 PM Sundays 4:30 PM
Tickets: $10.00 Regular Admission $8.00 for Children under 5 years old
For More Information:
Laralee List Wahrmund
Purchase Tickets Online

(Click to go to the AustinLiveTheatre front page)




Wednesday, January 2, 2013

RICHARD III by William Shakespeare, Texas State University, February 13 - 1, 2013



Vortex Repertory, Austin Texas








(Texas State University Theatre Center, 430 Moon Street, San Marcos)

presents

Richard III Shakespeare Texas State University

Richard III

By William Shakespeare
Directed by Chuck Ney
February 12 – 16 @ 7:30pm & February 17 @ 2:00pm

Probably Shakespeare’s greatest history play, Richard III tells the Machiavellian rise of the hunchbacked Duke of Gloucester who becomes King Richard III. Starring Artist-in-Residence Eugene Lee, this production takes a modern look at this classic tale of greed, corruption, and the pursuit of power.

(Click to go to the AustinLiveTheatre front page)

Monday, October 29, 2012

Auditions at City Theatre for Othello, November 18 and 19


City Theatre Austin TXCity Theatre is Othello City Theatre Austincasting all roles at auditions for Othello by William Shakespeare. Auditions November 18 and 19 at the City Theatre. 3823 Airport Blvd. Suite D. Austin, TX 78722 (click for map). November 18, 12:30 – 3:30 p.m. November 19, 6 – 10 p.m. Bring headshot, resume and a one-minute prepared monologue. Scenes will also be performed. Ten-minute slots by appointment. If you are not able to make this audition time, please let us know.


One of Shakespeare’s most intense and epic tragedies of a great man destroyed by love, politics, suspicion and jealousy. Performances February 21 – March 17 with rehearsals beginning in December.
Call 512-524-2870 or info@citytheatreaustin.org to set up an appt.

Thursday, October 4, 2012

(*) Upcoming: Hamlet by William Shakespeare, St. Mary's University, San Antonio, October 19 - 26




St. Mary's University San Antonio




presents
HAMLET

by William Shakespeare
St. Mary's University Theatre
1 Camino Santa Maria, San Antonio, Texas, 78228-8580
Times: 8 p.m. | Friday, Oct. 19 - Sunday, Oct. 21 | Tuesday, Oct. 23 - Friday, Oct. 26, 2012
Tickets: TICKETS Presale tickets: $5 students with ID, $10 general At the door: $12 general RESERVATIONS To reserve seats, call 210-436-3545 or email stmutheatre@stmarytx.edu. www.stmarytx.edu

For More Information: StMU Theatre 210.436.3545 or 210.431.2222
Email: stmutheatre@stmarytx.edu -- Website: www.stmarytx.edu
This two-hour version of William Shakespeare's famous tragedy is adapted and directed by Adam Burke. It will be performed on the campus of St. Mary's University at the Pecan Grove, Alumni Pavilion. Its open air setting invites the audience to sit within and around the perimeters of the space. Please come dressed comfortably.

Cast:
HAMLET John Goddard
KING CLAUDIUS Michael Duggan*
QUEEN GERTRUDE Bernadette Hamilton-Brady**
LORD POLONIUS Richard Pressman**
OPHELIA Anndria Flores
LAERTES Edgardo Ramirez
HORATIO Alexis Ramirez
ROSENCRANTZ/ENSEMBLE Taylor Pollock
GUILDENSTERN/ENSEMBLE Dale Fastle
PLAYER KING/ENSEMBLE Trinidad Agosto
PLAYER QUEEN/CLOWN/
ENSEMBLE Gregory Gonzales
OSRIC/ENSEMBLE Catherine Trevino
LUCIANUS/MARCELLUS/
ENSEMBLE Marleyne Hernandez
*Guest Artist
**StMU Faculty

Monday, September 24, 2012

Upcoming: Toil and Trouble, the Trouble Puppet adaptation of Macbeth, October 31 - November 18



Trouble Puppet Theatre Company Austin TX







Toil and Trouble

Oct. 31, 2012, – Nov. 18, 2012
Salvage Vanguard Theater.
Tickets on-sale now at brownpapertickets.com

Trouble Puppet Theater Company presents Toil and Trouble, an adaptation of Shakespeare's Macbeth for puppet theater—an elegantly brutal play brought to life (and death) through puppetry, complete with witches, ghosts, and bloody skullduggery.
Adapted by Artistic Director Connor Hopkins (winner of B. Iden Payne Awards for Outstanding Direction of a Drama for The Jungle AND for Frankenstein as well as Outstanding Original Script for The Jungle and The Austin Examiner's Best New Play Written by an Austinite for The Jungle), Toil and Trouble will feature music by Graham Reynolds, lighting by Stephen Pruitt, sound design by Buzz Moran, and imagery by Chris Owen: what CultureMap calls "some of Austin's best creative minds at play."
**HALLOWEEN PARTY on Oct. 31! Admission that night includes food, drink, and extra trouble!**
Group sales welcome. Director/cast talkbacks available for groups of five or more.
Toil and Trouble is underwritten by Joel and Dina Sherzer and James and Sharon Reck and is mounted with the generous support of The Creative Fund.


(Click to return to the AustinLiveTheatre front page)

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Auditions for Coriolanus, Trinity Street Players, August 18


Trinity Street Players Austin TX 
Trinity Street Players are auditioning for Coriolanus by William Shakespeare, directed by Bridget Farias, on August 18 from 1pm to 5pm. 


Contact  coriolanus@trinitystreetplayers.com for more information or to request an audition time slot.
Coriolanus Trinity Street Players
Kevin Gates (Trinity St. Players)
Callbacks will be August 19 starting at 1 pm. 

All auditioners need to prepare a one-minute Shakespeare monologue, and please bring a headshot/resume if available. (NOTE: The role of Coriolanus is cast. All other roles are available.)
Join the Bard on a tour through the rough streets of the Roman Republic, where intrigue and power politics hold sway. In our own season of political jousting, we will contemplate if the curse of mankind is that we are all so different, or that we are all the same. Performances will be Nov 2-4, 9-11, 16-18.

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Arts Reporting from the Blackfriars Shakespeare Conference: Beth Burns and cast on the original Practices Taming of the Shrew


Notes from Cass Morris at the Blackfriars Shakespeare Conference in Staunton, Virgina, October 27:

American Shakespeare Center


Beth Burns, Hidden Room Theatre:

"Original Practices at Hidden Room"

Beth Burns (Hidden Room Theatre)Beth Burns introduces her support team from Hidden Room, noting that she met her dramaturg for The Taming of the Shrew at a previous conference. She positions herself clearly on the side of practitioners as opposed to strict academics, but states that she tries to make her practice as well-grounded in scholarship as she can. She thanks the scholarly crowd for "letting me steal your work, as I do do and will do today."

Burns discusses her experiences with Original Practices and notes that, while different companies and scholars have different views on what that means, they all come down to: "let's not fight the text; let's go with it." She's curious about the idea of "male playing female, and what that does to the text," particularly what it does to jokes -- which she doesn't like to cut just because the reference isn't relevant. She wondered if the idea of men playing women would balance out the gender issues in Shrew. "What I found instead was, actually, a love story. A really sexy love story." It also produced a theme of identity.

She noted two challenges: 1) to get the audience to believe the man playing a woman as a female character, and 2) to make the audience perceive the relationship displayed as a heterosexual one, not a homosexual one. Her actors from Hidden Room then present the introduction between Kate and Petruchio (2.1), in (as in her production), late-sixteenth-century costumes and (lead-free) makeup. The scene is fast-paced and full of action, with a Kate visibly enjoying the challenge of sparring with Petruchio, and a Petruchio utterly unwilling to part company with her. Kate also seems moved (though somewhat uncomfortable) by a Petruchio speaking to her sexually -- as, this staging seems to suggest, no other man has ever done.

Burns notes that the scene is "a veritable cornucopia" of the techniques they use. She notes that, to make the steaminess palpable, they don't just go for the obvious sexual jokes, but also those words that "sound sexual" by virtue of their sonic qualities or the face-shapes the sounds cause. They also explored "non-standard touch", to break the expectation of the usual courtship interactions. She moves to the next scene, which she hopes will cause us to look at gender role and power.

Judd Farris, Ryan Crowder (Hidden Room Theatre)In the "sun and moon" scene, 4.5, Kate's concession to Petruchio's declarations comes with more than a light touch of sarcasm -- but she laughs when Petruchio address Vincentio (an impromptu substitution of Matt Davies) as a fair mistress. When Kate gets the joke and flirts with Vincentio, Petruchio intervenes a bit hastily, to cut off a kiss -- which represents, as Burns points out, that she's now playing on an even field with him. They move to the final scene: 5.1, on the street -- the "kiss me, Kate" moment. Their frenetic energy slows to tender regard, but loses none of its passion.

Burns brings her actors out and first asks Ryan (Kate) about building the character. He talks about placing her "center" low, to ground her and also give her grace. Burns and Judd (Petruchio) talk about building the "uber-macho" Petruchio, who Judd describes as "the archetypal alpha male" who goes beyond the typical plateau of gentlemanly behavior.

Matt Davies opens up to questions from the audience for either presenter.

Click for notes on Q&A session at AustinLiveTheatre.com. . . .

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Titus Andronicus, Last Act Theatre Company at CTC Garden, October 20 - 31


Karen Alvarado Kevin Gates Titus Andronicus Last Act Theatre Company


Austin likes its hellish Halloweens and on that score Titus Andronicus deserves standing-room-only audiences and ticket queues around the block, down there on César Chávez Avenue just a few blocks east of Interstate 35.


Forget all that stuff about Shakespeare they taught you in high school and college. This one he wrote really early in his career, in 1591 or so when he had only a couple of comedies and the three-part history Henry VI under his belt. The wannabe playwright gleefully embraced the new and popular genre of the blood-and-gore revenge tragedy pioneered by Thomas Kyd with The Spanish Tragedy, or Hieronimo is Mad Again (ca. 1585, published in 1592).


Looking for shivers? Try these: agéd Roman general Titus Andronicus returns to Rome after forty years of battles in which twenty-one of his twenty-five sons have been killed. He parades in captured Goth queen Tamora and her three sons; despite her pleading he orders his troops to take reprisal by killing the eldest and burning his corpse. Titus refuses the people's choice of him as their emperor and moves them to acclaim Saturninus, son of the former emperor.


Now emperor, Saturninus selects Titus' daughter Lavinia as his wife, thereby depriving his brother Bassanius of a sweetheart; Titus' sons refuse and spirit away their sister. Furious at this disobedience, Titus kills his own son Martius. Only after Titus' brother Marcus intervenes does the old warrior permit them to place the corpse of Martius in the family mausoleum. Annoyed at Bassanius' "rape" -- kidnapping -- of Lavinia, the emperor decides to take Goth queen Tamora to wife, giving her and her two remaining sons Roman citizenship. Tamora counsels new hubby Emperor Saturninus to stay calm, promising him "I'll find a day to massacre them all,/and raze their faction and their family. . . "


And that's just the first act.


Read more at AustinLiveTheatre.com . . . .

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Upcoming: Othello, produced by Philip Kreyche, November 10 - 18

Received directly:


Philip Kreyche presentsOthello Philip Kreyche

Othello

by William Shakespeare

directed by Philip Kreyche

November 10 - 18

Center Stage, 2628 Real (click for map)

General admission is $15, student tickets are $10. Tickets will be available at the box office, or you may reserve tickets by calling 512-422-5705.

One of Shakespeare's most personal and intimate tragedies comes to life on the Center Stage in this period production. Stage Managed by Katie Kohler. Lighting design by Rachel Steed. Featuring a score composed of Arab, Turkic, and period Renaissance Italian music performed by Roberto Riggio.

Othello, a North African mercenary and general of the Venetian army, has passed up his more experienced officer, Iago, for promotion. Consumed with envy and anger, Iago plots his revenge, a revenge which entangles everyone in a dense web of rumours, lies and deception, with his goal being to ascend to his rightful position -- and ultimately destroy Othello. Starkly tragic and deeply moving, this production explores a number of themes including gender relations, passion, and reason.

Read more at AustinLiveTheatre.com . . . .

Video: Shakespeare in 'Original Pronunciation' by the Open University

Following up a RT by @shakespearecub:

[Apple users: can't see the video? Click to go to YouTube]