ALERT-FREE: STC Preview this Sunday for “The Merchant of Venice”

Just got this email – The Shakespeare Theatre Company will be performing a  free preview this Sunday of “The Merchant of Venice” at the Sidney Harman Hall. It’s just my luck I’ll be in Staunton at the Blackfriars watching As You Like it, but if I had the time I would most definitely be there.

Here’s a quote from the Email:

Whether contemplating the contents of gilded chests or the darkest corners of humanity, The Merchant of Venice challenges audiences to look beyond misleading appearances to find the true measure of things. This intriguing story of power and revenge, justice and mercy, true love and duplicity features some of Shakespeare’s most complex and memorable characters.

 

The Merchant of Venice is being staged at STC for the first time in more than a decade. Set against the gritty backdrop of 1920s Lower East Side New York City, this classic tale with a modern twist highlights that commerce is king and everything’s a commodity.

Link to: Shakespeare Theatre Company

Catch a preview this Sunday, June 12, at Open Rehearsal.

Seatings: 2 p.m. and 3:50 p.m.

Sidney Harman Hall.

Admission: FREE

First come, first served.

MEETUP.COM: Read Shakespeare aloud! This Weekend at the National Mall in Washington DC

This is another DC-area Shakespeare explorer Meetup.com event for local Shakespeare enthusiasts. Come on, you know you want to practice your chops by reading some Shakespeare out loud. And if you don’t feel like reading, come out for the discussion, or simply for the pleasure of being in the company of others who feel the same way about the Bard as you do.

The focus this Sunday will be on plays that will be performed in the area this year:

• As You Like it (Act 2, Scene 7)
• Julius Caesar (Act 1)
• A Midsummers Night Dream (Act 2, Scene 3, Act 3, Scene 1)
• Much Ado About Nothing (still thinking, any suggestions?)
• Othello (4.2 and 4.3)

Click here for details: DC-area-Shakespeare-explorers

Happens this Sunday, June 5, 2011 at 5:30 PM

The National Mall
near 7th and Madison Washington, DC

Bring a chair or Blanket

Shakespear​e in Arlington!: Twelfth Night and Titus Andronicus

Shakespear​e in Arlington!: Twelfth Night and Titus Andronicus

Hey’ Someones been holding out and not telling me about the ” Empty Chair Theatre Company” based in Arlington Virginia! They’ve been around for about 4 years, doing 7 Shakespeare plays in that time. Turns out this month they’re doing Twelfth Night, and next month Titus Andronicus, including one night at the Folgers in DC!

Here’s a little more about the “Empty Chair Theatre Company” from their website

“The company was formed with the goal to give young artists a creative outlet and the chance to explore deeply layered texts while working with their peers to create innovative theatre. Empty Chair performed a Shakespeare Showcase in June of 2007,  Taming of the Shrew in January of 2008, and Richard III in July 2008. The 2009 season was one cast performing Measure for Measure and King Lear in rep. In 2010, Empty Chair put on Much Ado About Nothing, Miscalled Simplicity (a benefit showcase), A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Richard II. Empty Chair became incorporated through the state of Virginia in the Spring of 2008, and has 501(c)3 non-profit status from the IRS.”

Visit them at : http://www.emptychairtheatre.org/

TWELFTH NIGHT
Directed by Miranda Steege
June 15-19th 2011

TITUS ANDRONICUS
Directed by Julia Sears
July 14th, 15th, 21th-23th, 28th-30th

For Something Special:

Add July 16 to your calendar – That’s the day they will be performing Titus Andronicus at the Folger Shakespeare library stage. This will be a benefit performance to help raise money for the Empty Chair Theatre Company, to help them with their community and educational outreach programs…

Where: Folger Theater 201  East Capitol Street, SE Washington, DC 20003
Get Directions

When: July 16th 8:00pm performance with a reception to follow
Buy Tickets

LIVE from DC! The Audio Worlds a Stage, and The Lean & Hungry Theater are the Players

I just got this email from the Lean & Hungry Theater about their upcoming broadcast of “Romeo and Juliet”, and their LIVE broadcast of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”. And by live I mean you are invited to sit in the audience where the audio worlds a stage, and The Lean & Hungry Theater perform Shakespeare for the Radio.

As a side note I was lucky enough to catch one of the Managing Directors/Co-Founder of Lean&Hungry Alex Zavistovich’s, astounding, bloody and brutal version of Titus Andronicus on stage in DC. I have yet to the hear Lean & Hungry, but if his imagination can translate aurally for Midsummer (Info below), what he did visually (viscerally) for Titus, then “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” on June 26 should truly be auditory magic.
Please give them all the support you can and visit their website at:
http://www.leanandhungrytheater.com

Here are the details:
Sirius XM to Broadcast Lean & Hungry Theater’s “Romeo and Juliet,” 7 PM, Saturday, May 14
WAMU-88.5 to Air a Live Broadcast of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” on June 26

May 10, 2011, Washington, DC — Sirius XM Satellite Radio will broadcast Lean & Hungry Theater’s one-hour long production of “Romeo and Juliet” this Saturday, May 14 at SEVEN PM on their Book Radio channel (80). The broadcast comes just less than six weeks before Lean & Hungry’s live broadcast of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” on June 26.

“Romeo and Juliet” was originally broadcast this past Valentine’s Day evening on WAMU-88.5, as part of an ongoing relationship Lean & Hungry has established with the Washington, DC NPR affiliate.

The cast of “Romeo and Juliet” included JJ Area, Luke Cieslewicz, Chris Genebach, Heather Haney, James Majewski, Karen Novack, Natalie Pyle, Teresa Spencer, Jay Sullivan and Bob Sheire. The production was directed by Kevin Finkelstein, the co-director of Lean & Hungry’s “Macbeth,” which aired on WAMU-88.5 this past Halloween evening. Special effects and musical underscore for “Romeo and Juliet” were provided by Lean & Hungry Technical Director Gregg Martin. The production’s dramaturg was Hannah Todd. Lean & Hungry’s Artistic Director is Jessica Hansen.

Lean & Hungry Theater’s productions and recordings are endorsed by the Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind.

About Lean & Hungry Theater:

Conceived in 2006, Lean & Hungry Theater (Lean & Hungry) is a non-profit educational radio drama company. Drawing primarily on the works of William Shakespeare, Lean & Hungry provides adaptations of classic dramatic works to underserved areas, in established or improvised venues (both live and electronic), for the educational benefit and cultural enrichment of students, families, seniors and other interested groups in the Washington, DC metropolitan area and beyond.

Lean & Hungry is the only company in the Washington, DC metropolitan area dedicated to adapting works of Shakespeare and other classic playwrights for radio broadcast. Its performances are recorded before a live audience, complete with sound effects and original musical underscore. The recorded performances are made available as audio streams, audio CD and as radio broadcast productions. For more information, visit www.leanandhungrytheater.com

May 21:The First NeverAnnual Maryland Shakespeare Movie Night (On a 10 foot Diagonal HD Screen)

The First Neverannual Maryland Shakespeare Movie Night

The Month of May has been pretty much Lemons, considering the fact that there is not a single live Shakespearean play in the DC area, (Compared to the last couple of years). So’ What do you do when life throws you Lemons? You add some sugar, a 10foot Diagonal HD screen, some Shakespeare, water, friends and a DVD, and make Lemon-Aid. In other words:

The First Neverannual Maryland Shakespeare Movie Night.

Shakespeare Festivals and Companies are taking a beating in this economy, so I’m hoping to drum up some enthusiasm and have some fun in the process! This is still in the concept phase, no plays have been decided yet, and space is VERY limited. But if this sounds fun to you, We have just started a discussion at the DC-area Shakespeare explorers. Bounce other there and give us your thoughts!

link to: DC area Shakespeare explorers

Don’t take Shakespeare in the Maryland, Virginia, and Washington DC area for granted!

May Is So SLOOOOOWWW This Year!

Well’ May this year is turning into a barren desert for local Shakespeare fans in the DC area. Where locally last year we had the Montgomery County Players doing Midsummer, and the Folger’s doing Hamlet. This year, there’s nothing around here for May.

My question is, with the recent demise of the Baltimore Shakespeare Festival, and the lack of event’s in our area, is this a disturbing reflection of the times? The Washington Post ran an article last year stating:

“Reflecting the growing hunger among Washington’s nonprofit theaters to expand their audience base and diversify their offerings, Shakespeare Theatre Company will serve as the launching site for a national tour of the original production of “Fela!,” the unconventional, Broadway-tested musical about the life of the Nigerian singer-activist Fela Kuti.”

Link to post article

I’m almost afraid that when they say that Washington’s nonprofit theaters, and the Shakespeare Theatre Company, are looking to expand their audience base, what their really saying is that the bucks aren’t flowing for Shakespeare so let’s try something else. For example I noticed there are plenty of plays and things going on with the Shakespeare Theatre Company for the month of May… and no yet  no Shakespeare.

DC-area Shakespeare explorers

And yet’ do not lose all hope! There are others in the area looking for Shakespeare happening’s at the grass-roots level. For example I hang out at the local Meetup.com group called “DC-area Shakespeare explorers.” It’s brand new place on the web to hook up with local Shakespeare fans.  There’s  been so far (I believe) three meetups, I’ve been to a two, and looking forward to the next.

So’ even if there are no “Official” Shakespeare offering’s for May,  we can still make something happen. Jump to the site for DC-area Shakespeare explorers and check out the offerings, or even throw out a suggestion or two. I,  among others have hosted a “Meet up”, and we are in the hopes that you can too. Shakespeare readings? Movie night? Gather before or after seeing a play? It’s a great way to do Shakespeare on the cheap, and meet others in the process!

So’ pop in and support the DC-area Shakespeare explorers

Most likely if you go to an event, you’ll get a chance to meet me there. If you see me, say HI!…

Don’t take Shakespeare in the Maryland, Virginia, and Washington DC area for granted.

Free Folgers Birthday Lecture Tonight: Recipes for Thought: Shakespeare and the Art of the Kitchen

This is a little bit of a late notice, but if you are looking to do something tonight in honor of Shakespeare’s birthday, the Folgers has something for ya.

Wendy Wall, a Professor of English Literature at Northwestern University, delivers the annual birthday lecture entitled Recipes for Thought: Shakespeare and the Art of the Kitchen.

Wendy Wall has a wide-range of interests, which include editorial theory, gender, national identity, the history of authorship, Renaissance poetry, food studies, housework, theatrical practice, and Jell-O. Professor Wall is author of Imprint of Gender: Authorship and Publication in the English Renaissance and Staging Domesticity: Household Work and English Identity in Early Modern Drama, which was a finalist for the James Russell Lowell prize awarded by the MLA and a 2002 Choice Outstanding Academic Title Award Winner. A former trustee for the Shakespeare Association of America, she is currently at work on a book entitled Strange Kitchens: Knowledge and Taste in English Recipe Books, 1550-1750.

Sponsored by the Folger Institute’s Center for Shakespeare Studies, this lecture is free and open to the public.

Folger Elizabethan Theatre
Monday, Apr 25 at 8pm
Tickets: Free

Link: http://www.folger.edu/woSummary.cfm?woid=662

Don’t take Shakespeare in the Washington DC, Maryland and Virginia area for granted!

April 23rd The Shakespeare Factory Presents: Shakespeare’s Baltimore Birthday Bash!

Update 04/19: Got an update for the  Times and Location for the Meetup.com gathering.
Time: 1:30
Location: They will have a “designated performance area” set up with a sandwich board sign that says “The Globe”. We’ll meet there.

Something Special: She also said there will be a special little presentation for the Meetup group at 1:30 and then everyone can explore and have fun!

Lets support local Shakespeare and have fun in the process!

The Shakespeare Factory Presents: Shakespeare’s Baltimore Birthday Bash!

The Shakespeare Factory (One of my personal local favs)  are a growing professional Shakespeare company of Shakespeare enthusiasts who understand how fun Shakespeare can be! I can attest to this after witnessing, and completely enjoying, their productions of “The Winter’s Tale” and “Comedy of Errors”.

Well’ it seems this Saturday, April 23rd they’re putting on a FREE Community Festival. There will be “Games, crafts, performances, and lots more fun for all ages!” So here is your chance to check out some Shakespeare with a local flavor, and meet others who are just as fond of the Bard as you are.

I’ll also post this on MEETUP.COM group “DC-area Shakespeare explorers so we can all say HI if anyones interested

1-5PM at Sumpter Park located on the corner of Robert St. and Linden Ave in Baltimore.

Link to The Shakespeare Factory for Details

Link to Google Maps

Link to the MEETUP.COM group: DC-area Shakespeare explorers

DC-area Shakespeare explorers

FREE: Sunday April 17th: A Shakespeare Meetup for the Bards Birthday

Looks like another year has come and gone, and with that Shakespeare gets another year older. To celebrate the Bards birthday the Folgers Shakespeare Library in Washington dc is holding an open house with tours, exhibits, and a cake cutting. Music, dance, and crafts!

To make this a little more interesting, there’s a new group of Shakespeare lovers who have started a MEETUP.COM group called the “DC-area Shakespeare explorers” whose intent is to create a place where local Shakespeare enthusiast can meetup  for events,  discussions,  and anything else that sounds fun. They’ll be having their first meetup at the Folgers for Shakespeare’s birthday party, and they would like to invite you to come and join in the festivities! This group is in the beginning phases, so please show up and give it as much support as you can.

04/13- Update for time and location. Theresa the organizer just posted:
“The Open House starts at noon and goes until 4pm. Let’s meet by the front door at 1pm, to decide when we’d like to head out to find a place to sit down and talk about what we’d like to do with the group. I’ll have a Meetup sign so you can find me!”

Links:
DC-area Shakespeare explorer
Folgers Library Birthday Event in Washington DC

April 11-17: Willpower! Montgomery College’s week long festival

Willpower! Montgomery College’s week long Shakespeare  festival with free events, lectures, and demonstrations. I went to several of the events last year, which ultimately culminated into the American Shakespeare Center performance of “A Comedy of Errors”, and really enjoyed myself. So’ if you have the time, I can personally recommend checking it out.

Here are the details that were posted in our comment section just yesterday:

Greetings fellow Shakespeare lovers!

We’d like to invite you to attend WILLPOWER! – Montgomery College’s weeklong festival of performances, lectures, workshops, and master classes that celebrate the world of William Shakespeare. This year’s festival runs from April 11-17, 2011.

Our festival centers around our college performing arts series production of…

THE TEMPEST
Wednesday-Saturday, April 11-16, 8pm
Sunday April 17, 2pm
(run time – approximately 2 ½ hrs)
Robert E. Parilla Performing Arts Center
Montgomery College, Rockville Campus

Other featured events include:

Adrian Webber Memorial Lecture
“‘Oh Brave New World’:
Medicine, Magic, and Gender in Shakespeare’s England”
Dr. Stephen Greenberg, NIH, National Library of Medicine, Historian of Science
Wednesday, April 13th
1:00 – 1:50 p.m. TA Arena, Rockville Campus

“From Ghosts and Witches to Mathematics and Mechanism: The Nature of Science
and How It Has Changed Our World View since Shakespeare’s Time”
— Dr. Emmett Holman, George Mason University
Monday, April 11th
2:00 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. TA Arena, Rockville Campus

“Solemn and Strange Music:
Discovering the Sounds of ‘The Tempest’” (workshop)
Mr. James Jacobs, WGBH 99.5, Boston
Tuesday, April 12th
11:00 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. TA Arena, Rockville Campus

See http://montgomerycollege.edu/willpower for the full schedule of events.

Except for performances of THE TEMPEST, all lectures and workshops are free to the public.

For more infomation, call KenYatta Rogers at 240-567-4001