The State of Shakespeare

Bloody Shakespeare: The Nightmare Dream

Aug 072013

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The Nightmare Dream
Adapted and Directed by Neal J. Freeman

What would happen if Shakespeare was “bitten” by Bram Stoker’s Dracula? One man aims to find out.

Neal J. Freeman has created a mash up of two classic texts: Midsummer and Dracula. The Nightmare ‘Dream’ is the Shakespeare play told through a classic horror film lens with a healthy dose of tongue-in cheek. As the lovers embark on their famous journey into the woods, they encounter a villain unlike any imagined by Shakespeare. No ruffled neck is safe in this, the ORIGINAL douchey teen vampire drama.

The Nightmare ‘Dream’ will play Sunday 8/11 at 6pm, Monday 8/12 at 9:30pm, Thursday 8/15 at 9:30pm, Friday 8/16 at 3:45pm, and Sunday 8/18 at 4:15pm.

See website for more information: www.bloodyshakespeare.com or www.fringenyc.org.

Tickets on sale July 19 at www.fringenyc.org.

Watch a video here:

The Nightmare ‘Dream’ – Meet Neal & Heather from lupoblu on Vimeo.

Artists, Asides, Interviews

Nicholas Martin-Smith

Jul 172013

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As You Like It: Act 2, Scene 7
Jacques
June 14, 2013

With age comes wisdom. Hudson Classical Theater Company (formerly Hudson Warehouse) Artistic Director Nicholas Martin-Smith stays in the moment while performing Jacques famous “All the World’s a Stage” speech from Act 2, Scene 7 of As You Like It. Nicholas discusses what it’s like to start a theater company, how he overcame a learning disability and why experience is a great teacher. This interview is “sans” nothing.

Click here to follow along with the text.

Click here to follow along with First Folio version of the text.

Click here to see a scanned version of the text.

Artists, Interviews, Podcasts

Ellen Geer, Willow Geer, Melora Marshall

Jul 102013

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A Midsummer Night’s Dream: Act 1, Scene 1
Helena
June 14, 2013

It’s a Family Affair! Bringing classical theatre to life for four generations isn’t easy. Will Geer’s Theatricum Botanicum is a labor of love for a family with Shakespeare in their veins. Ellen Geer, Melora Marshall and Ian Flanders share the fascinating story of the Theatricum’s past, present and future. And Willow Geer keeps it fresh with a feisty and vivacious take on Helena from A Midsummer Night’s Dream Act I, Scene i.

Click here to follow along with the text.

Click here to follow along with Willow’s version of the text.

Click here to see a scanned version of the text.

Artists, Interviews, Podcasts

Colin David Reese

Jun 072013

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Hamlet; Act 2, Scene 2
Hamlet
February 8, 2013

To cue or not to cue that is the question. Colin David Reese uses cue scripts in performing Shakespeare. He also eschews punctuation, breathes only at the end of the verse line and incorporates leCoq into his work. Not one to mince words, Colin never fails to entertain and enlighten in this, our first international interview. Sit back and listen to how it will fadge.

Click here to see the text. Click for here for the No Punctuation Version.

Click here to see a fully scanned version of the text.

Artists, Interviews, Podcasts

Jim Devita

May 092013

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Henry Vi, Part iii: Act 3, Scene 2
Gloucester
February 5, 2013

Catch a wave! Stay “on top” of Jim Devita‘s words as he discusses how he learned to avoid generalizing in acting Shakespeare. Jim explores the importance of training (and what Shakespearean actors can learn from Michael Jordan.) We plunge into Richard of Gloucester’s speech in Henry VI, Part iii, to discover the secret to playing villains, plumbing emotions (or not) and pursuing metaphors. Join us for a discussion of the most voluble soliloquy in Shakespeare’s canon.

Click here to see the text.

Click for here for the Jim Devita version.

Click here to see a fully scanned version of the text.

Artists, Interviews, Podcasts

Jim Wallert & Ron Russell: Richard III Born With Teeth (Interview Part 2)

Apr 252013

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Richard III; Act 1, Scene 1
Gloucester
April 2, 2013

What is Shakespeare’s idea of tragedy? Is an audience seduced by Richard? What happens to the soul of ambition after the final prize has been won? Is there any sympathy left for this devil? The answers and much more, including a fantastic reading of the opening speech, can be found in Part II of our interview about Richard III with Ron Russell and Jim Wallert of the Epic Theatre Ensemble. Their production of Richard III: Born With Teeth runs through May 4th. For details click here.

Click here to see the text. Click for here for the Epic Theater version.

Click here to see a fully scanned version of the text.

Artists, Interviews, Podcasts

The Epic Theatre Ensemble: Richard III (Interview Part I)

Apr 162013

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Richard III; Act 1, Scene 1
Gloucester
April 2, 2013

Born with Teeth! Can a company that rose from the ashes of 9/11 make a difference? The answer is a resounding “Yes!” The Epic Theater Ensemble has created a fantastic model of socially responsible, education- oriented theater. Executive Director Ron Russell and Associate Artistic Director Jim Wallert talk about the company’s mission of outreach, developing new audiences and the “why” of engagement. We discuss the dialogue they create with their audience, the use of emerging technology and, of course, the upcoming production of Richard III: Born With Teeth. It’s not your grandmother’s musty dusty Shakespeare!

Click here to see the text. Click for here for the Epic Theater version.

Click here to see a fully scanned version of the text.

Artists, Interviews, Podcasts

Jeffrey C. Hawkins

Mar 212013

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The Two Gentlemen of Verona: Act 2, Scene 4
Proteus
December 12, 2012

It’s a throw down! Have your ears dazzled by the clarity of Jeffrey Hawkins‘ words. We will take you on a journey through some serious deconstruction of Proteus speech from Act 2, Scene 4 of The Two Gentlemen of Verona. Take our advice and listen to this one as we cover the ground from scansion, to fricatives, all the way to the Dreaded O. Welcome to the State of Shakespeare – pumpkin pants optional.

Click here to see the text. Click for here for the First Folio.

Click here to see a fully scanned version of the text.

Artists, Interviews, Podcasts

Dan Daily

Mar 012013

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Henry IV, Part i; Act 5, Scene 1
Falstaff
February 21, 2013

What is in that word “honor”? Dan Daily and The State of Shakespeare examine Falstaff’s “honor” speech from Act V, Scene i of Henry IV, Part I. Along the way, we get to the bottom of how Falstaff got his name (hint: John Oldcastle), what is a catechism, how many fat jokes are in the text and why Falstaff has a point about those who “find quarrel in a straw / When honour’s at the stake.” Pour a cup of sack and enjoy.

Dan plays Falstaff in the Pearl Theater production of Henry IV, Part I. Running from March 2 – March 17.

Click here to view a copy of Falstaff’s Speech from Henry IV, Part I.

Production Photo by Elise VanderKley

Artists, Interviews, Podcasts

Jim Volz: The State of Shakespeare

Jan 162013

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How did the Oregon Shakespeare Festival start? What is the Theatricum Botanicum? Get the answers to these questions and so much more in our rousing interview with Jim Volz. From how Shakespeare companies are going to be affected by the fiscal cliff, to who buys the tickets to Theater, to Hamlet the Artist formerly known as Prince of Denmark, to what’s happening in Prague – Jim Volz takes us on an around the world tour of everything Shakespeare. An absolute must listen from a master of the Bard.
And a first for The State of Shakespeare: our inaugural Skype interview!

Click Here for information on the Shakespeare Theater Association.