Time to get down to work....

Yesterday I met with my course advisor to talk about my progress at the institute and to discuss ideas for my dissertation. I have decided that the focus of my study will be Word of Mouth: Gossip and Lies. I am debating to focus all of my efforts on Shakespeare's cannon, or to extend my reach to include other playwrights of early modern drama. This would allow me to write about such works as Christopher Marlowe's Edward II and Thomas Middleton's Women Beware Women. However, I would like to make sure that my scope is not too big for my paper, so I may end up just sticking to Shakespeare - After all, there is a plethora of material that pertains to my area of interest. I still do not have a supervisor for my dissertation, but I hope to find one soon that is as excited about my topic as I am. Wish me luck!

The Changeling Closes!

For the last few weeks I have been working relentlessly on the Shakespeare Institute Player's production of The Changeling. Playing Beatrice-Joanna has been a challenging and rewarding experience for me. With a short rehearsal process and only 4 performances, I have hardly had time to know my role as deeply as I would like. This production has been filled with many trials, tragedy and frustration - Yet through it all, we were able to collectively deliver what has been hailed as "the best Players production in the last decade". Bravo cast! Let's keep the good work on the rise with our spring production of Titus Andronicus!

I am thrilled to announce that I will be playing Saturninus in the Spring production of Titus Andronicus at the Shakespeare Institute! Jon Harvery will be directing this cross gendered production for the Shakespeare Institute Players, in which most the characters will be played by women (all except Titus). This allows me the opportunity to play a character that I would not normally be considered for. Our first read-through will take place after the holiday season, which gives me plenty of time to prepare for the role. I am looking forward to getting started!

The Changeling Opens Nov. 25th!

Good news! The Changeling opens this weekend at the Shakespeare Institute presented by the Shakespeare Institute Players. Betrayal, adultery, murder, inescapable passions, alchemical lore and
bed tricks - A fantastic combination for a rarely revived masterpiece of Renaissance drama. I will be playing Beatrice-Joanna. I invite all my UK friends to come along for an evening at the Institute. For all of my US friends, we are filming the show and there should be a chance for you to see it at some point should you so chose. Let the festivities begin!

The Changeling by Thomas Middleton & William Rowley will be directed by alumna Joy Leslie Gibson. Performances will be in the Lecture Hall, Mason Croft (home of The Shakespeare Institute). Dates & Times: Friday, 25th & Saturday 26th November at 7.30 p.m. with matinees on Saturday, 26th and Sunday, 27th November at 2.30 p.m. Tickets are £8 (£7 concessions - students, OAPs, UB40s).

Changeling Transformation

The Shakespeare Institute Players production of Middleton & Rowley's The Changeling is starting to take shape. With only 4 rehearsals left, all I can say is: It's about time! All the players have been juggling busy schedule, doing research, studying, working and attending university classes and events. We are finally at the point where the scripts are out of our hands and we are able to truly PLAY. Wish my luck, everyone! This is my first full length production in the UK and I am excited to show my fellows what I really have to offer!

The Players present THE CHANGELING!

Yesterday afternoon I auditioned for the Shakespeare Institute Players - the postgraduate drama group here in Stratford. As a group we had decided to produce The Changeling by Thomas Middleton and William Rowley.

To my surprise, I have been cast as Beatrice-Joanna (the leading lady)!

I am a little anxious to be taking on this role at the institute. As this is my first encounter with the play, I will being doing extensive research over the next few weeks as we enter rehearsal.

Tonight I am off to see Cardenio, Shakespeare's lost play re-imagined, at the Royal Shakespeare Company. I truly cannot wait to sit in the Swan and bathe myself in what I hope to be a brilliant show.