As You Like It Casting!

I am pleased to announce that I have been cast as Rosalind in The Shakespeare Institute Player’s summer production of William Shakespeare's As You Like It. The production will take place July 19th-21st in the Institute Gardens. This will be my final show with the players, as I will be returing to California in September of this year. I am blessed to play my dream role in Shakespeare's home town and look forward to begining rehearsals at the end of this month.

I have always admired Rosalind because she is intelligent, witty, and an all-around strong woman. She disguises herself as a man in the play, which liberates her to share her female perspectives with her true love, Orlando. I find her very insightful when she speaks about love. She seems incredibly self-aware, embraces love, but is also able to joke about it. She is also the largest female role in the cannon, which presents an additional challenge. I feel honored to play her in Shakespeare’s home town, and during the time of the World Shakespeare Festival. We have our first read-through on April 25^th and I am eager to begin the process.

RSC Open Stages Photots

Here are the pictures I promised from the Shakespeare Institute Players' production of Shakespeare's King John in the Open Stages Showcase at the Royal Shakespeare Company!

(Left to Right: Richard Nunn as Philip and Will Sharpe as The Bastard)

(Will Sharpe as The Bastard)

(Left to Right: John Curtis as Hubert and José Alberto Pérez Díez as King John)

York Cycle Casting!

The bad news – The Fuimus Troes (The True Trojans) project has been put on hold until further notice (hopefully not indefinitely).

The good news – I will be playing the Virgin Mary in The Spicer’s play The Annunciation and Visitation of Mary from the 15th century York cycle plays. A dear friend of mine is exploring the various production practices of medieval English drama, and has invited me to take part in his research. The production will rehearse through April and go up May 18th.

King John on the RSC's Courtyard Stage

Last night the Shakespeare Institute Players took to the Courtyard Stage as part of the Royal Shakespeare Company's Open Stage Festival - What a mouthful!

On Saturday, we (the players) were busy rehearsing the show, setting our technical elements with the RSC staff, and attending a vocal workshop. Then on Sunday we opened with several other groups from the surrounding area. We were of course the only production of King John in attendance. The bottom section of the theatre was sold out.

It feels good to represent the Institute Players, but even better to share the stage with them as honorary RSC actors for the day. I am hoping to acquire some pictures from the production - so check back soon!



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!

Titus Opening!

Titus Andronicus opens tonight at the Shakespeare Institute! I have been putting my best foot forward during the process, trying to remember that each day I am allowed to act is a gift. This production has been a trying experience for me. There have been a few bumps along the road to say the least. However, last night's run-through reignited my excitement. We may have a show on our hands!

King John Casting!

I have been invited to perform the death scene of King John with the Shakespeare Institute Players in conjunction with the RSC Open Stages Showcase. This means that I will be taking to the Courtyard stage in Stratford-upon-Avon in a Royal Shakespeare Company production!!! I wanted to share my brief RSC career with you, as this may be my only 10 minutes of fame—literally. Cheers!