In Acting Shakespeare & American Players Theater

May 032013
 

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How did Jim Devita end up going from New York to Wisconsin and then back to New York with a one man show?  If you haven’t heard of the American Players Theater, you should have.    Listen to Jim’s journey, about APT’s mission and how both look to create authentic Shakespeare productions at a very large outdoor theater in this brief aside from The State of Shakespeare.  You may just end up moving to Spring Green, Wisconsin.

 Asides, Interviews

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

The Suzuki Method

Feb 252013
 

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suzuki training

848-AG-stage-USE-THIS-ONE-cyrano

What is the underlying theory behind Tadashi Suzuki’s Acting Training Method?  How is it useful to an actor?  What are the haturo?  Jeffrey Hawkins talks about the training, the beauty, the aesthetic and how to maintain stillness in the face of gigantic blood sucking insects.
If you ever wondered about this training, here’s a good place to start.

 

 Asides, Interviews

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.

 Artists, Interviews, Podcasts

Facing Page & Luke Forbes: Richard III

Oct 232012
 

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Richard III: Act 1, Scene 2
Richard (Duke of Gloucester)
October 5, 2012

Will Shakespeare be lost in translation, or can a play transcend transcription?  It’s a question that will be put to the test in an audacious new production.  Using the No Fear Shakespeare text, Facing Page Productions is staging a plain English version of Richard III.   Will it open the door to more Shakespeare fans?  Luke Forbes plays the titular character in a version that focuses more on the plot and the main character, less on the historical underpinnings.  What is lost and what is gained when Shakespeare’s most famous villain takes the stage spouting prose from someone else’s pen?  You be the judge as you listen to Richard’s monologue from Act 2, Scene 1.

Click here to see the Facing Page Version of the text.

Click here to see the Shakespeare version of the text.

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

 Artists, Interviews, Podcasts

Blake Hackler and Ken Schatz: Clowns and Fools.

Sep 042012
 

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The Merchant of Venice Act 2, Scene 2 Launcelot

King Lear; Act 3, Scene 2
The Fool

July 18, 2012

What happens when you mix a clown and a fool?  Serious Fun.  Wherefore fools and clowns in the motley fabric of Shakespeare’s plays?  What are the pitfalls of pratfalls?  Blake Hackler and Ken Schatz have a rousing discussion about playing Shakespeare’s Clowns and Fools. In it we talk about accepting your inner fool, addressing the audience, truth telling and “you”-gling!  As Launcelot from Act II, Scene ii of The Merchant of Venice and the Fool from Act III, Scene ii of King Lear, our guests throw wide the window to the world of infinite jest.  Join us in the “gymnasium of juxtaposition” – this one goes to 100!

Click here to view a copy of Launcelot’s Speech from The Merchant of Venice.

Click here to view a copy of The Fool’s Speech from King Lear.

 Artists, Interviews, Podcasts

Comedy vs. Tragedy.

Sep 032012
 

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What is the difference between Comedy and Tragedy?  The answer lies with the Road Runner and Coyote.  Seriously.  Listen to this interesting answer to an age old question.

 Asides, Interviews
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