EP 1: Shaking Up Shakespeare

Welcome to Shaking Up Shakespeare, a podcast dedicated to examining the legacy of William Shakespeare's work, specifically in the context of Canadian theatre culture and Canadian society more broadly. Building on recent conversations about diversity and casting practices, colonial structures, and accessibility, this podcast brings together the voices of many individuals with diverse perspectives on Shakespeare. In this introductory episode, co-hosts Marlis Schweitzer, Liam Lockhart-Rush, and Hope Van Der Merwe chat about their first experiences with Shakespeare, their hopes for the series, and their reflections on podcasting as a practice. 

This episode also features brief greetings from the following folks who sat for interviews with us: Patricia Allison, Sturla Alvsväg, Cole Alvis, Faith Andrew, Roberta Barker, Raoul Bhaneja, Dawn Jani Birley, Peter Kuling, Adelaide Dolha, Miriam Fernandes, Karen Fricker, Duncan Gibson-Lockhart, Barbara Gordon, Jeff Ho, Christine Horne, Dante Jemmott, Stephen Johnson, Erin Kelly, Ziyana Kotadia, Keira Loughran, Jani Lauzon, Allyson MacMachon, Monique Mojica, Yvette Nolan, Laurel Paetz, Peter Parolin, Debbie Patterson, Eli Pauley, Elizabeth Pentland, Melissa Poll, PJ Prudat, Jamie Robinson, Nassim Abu Sarari, Alix Sideris, Sara Topham, Jeff Yung. The series also includes excerpts from the (Re)casting Shakespeare in Canada symposium where you’ll hear from Reneltta Arluk, Kaitlyn Riordan, Erin Shields, and Joseph Jomo Pierre.

Episode 1 ASL translation courtesy of Dawn Jani Birley. Interpretation by Dawn Jani Birley, Robert Haughton, Sage Lovell, and Alice Lo.

Here are links to things mentioned in the episode and some suggestions for further reading:

(Re)Setting the Stage: The Past, Present, and Future of Casting Practices in Canada

(Re)casting Shakespeare in Canada symposium

Trailer for Baz Lurhmann's Romeo + Juliet

(Re)casting Shakespeare in Canada symposium

“Crash course” syllabus

“Romeo and Juliet actors sue Paramount for child abuse,” from the Guardian