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.

Richard III      Act I, Scene i   

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.

Richard III      Act I, Scene i   

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.

The Two Gentlemen of Verona      Act II, Scene iv   

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.

Henry IV, Part i; Act V, Scene i

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.  For tickets, times and information, click here.

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

Production Photo by Elise VanderKley

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.

 

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

 

 

 

 

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.

The folks at the Shakespeare Forum are at it again!  Their production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream just opened.  Director Tyler Moss speaks about some of the discoveries, the delights and his unique interpretations of one of Shakespeare’s most famous comedies.  Expect truth, expect laughs, expect love juice. Playing at the Access Theater, 380 Broadway

The folks at the Shakespeare Forum are at it again!  Their production of A Midsummer Night's Dream just opened.  Director Tyler Moss speaks about some of the discoveries, the delights and his unique interpretations of one of Shakespeare's most famous comedies.  Expect truth, expect laughs, expect love juice.

Playing at the Access Theater, 380 Broadway btw. White  & Walker St.  4th Floor.  Running December 5-16th at 8pm, matinees at 2pm.  For more info go to The Shakespeare Forum.