100 episodes
The State of Shakespeare The State of Shakespeare
-
- Arts
-
-
5.0 • 16 Ratings
-
The State of Shakespeare is a virtual masterclass featuring in-depth interviews with contemporary Shakespearean actors, directors and teachers. We focus on the complex relationship of words and performance, and how individual artists develop unique and often contrasting approaches to the text. We aim to inspire and educate theatre makers, students and educators to discover new ways of bringing Shakespeare to life. Hosted by Gerritt VanderMeer and Jim Elliott.
-
Lynn Robert Berg
Julius Caesar; Act 2, Scene 1 Brutus October 11, 2022
With double digit years at a trio of theaters, Lynn Robert Berg is on the move. The self-proclaimed character actor has moved from intern to company leader with a skill set most actors would kill for (especially after listening to his reading of Brutus’ bloody-minded monologue from Julius Caesar.). A man of many hats, Lynn Robert Berg delights in his motley assortment of roles.
Click here to follow along with the text.
Click here to see a First Folio version of the text.
Click here for a scanned version of the text.
Click here for Information about Idaho Shakes, Tahoe Shakes and Great Lakes Shakes. -
Kurt Rhoads and Nance Williamson
Romeo and Juliet; Act 3, Scene 5 Romeo and Juliet August 23, 2022
After a lifetime in the theatre, what does Shakespeare still have to teach us about life and love? Long-time stage veterans (and real-life couple0 Nance Williamson and Kurt Rhoads take on the titular roles in Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival’s “age-blind” production of Romeo and Juliet. Having shared the stage together in seventy (70!) productions spanning more than 30 years, they may well be the most seasoned star-crossed young lovers Verona has ever met.
Click here for more information about HVSF. -
Kevin Rich 2.0
The Book of Will Colorado Shakespeare FestivalAugust 1, 2022
Who were the men and women who miraculously rescued half of Shakespeare’s plays from being lost forever – and what mystery, tragedy, romance, and drama raged around them as they struggled against greed, politics and their own mortality in order to grant immortality to a few precious words? Kevin Rich and the Colorado Shakespeare Festival (currently celebrating its 65th season) bring these forgotten heroes vividly to life in Lauren Gunderson’s, The Book of Will, a play about the birth of Shakespeare’s First Folio, which was published seven years after the Bard’s death and which Kevin Rich describes as a "love letter to the Theater".
Click here for more information about CSF. -
Carl Cofield
Twelfth Night Act 1, Scene 5July 8, 2022
PHOTO CREDIT - Richard Termine
PHOTO CREDIT - Richard Termine
Something special is happening in Harlem. The Classical Theater of Harlem is bringing its unique brand of Shakespeare to Marcus Garvey Park. Associate Artistic Director Carl Cofield is directing an Afro-Futuristic version of Twelfth Night - complete with VR and the ambient sounds of NYC. Carl stops by to talk about all things Shakespeare, Education and Twelfth Night.
Click here to follow along with the text.
Click here for a First Folio version of the text.
Click here for more information about CTH. -
The Texas Shakespeare Festival
Val Winkelman and John Dodd June 18, 2022
In Texas, when something delightful has been marinating for 36 years, you know you’re in for a treat. The Texas Shakespeare Festival has been a staple of East Texas since the 1980's. For five decades, TSF’s own John Dodd and Val Winkelman have helped to feed (literally) and nurture hundreds of theatre artists. They share advice, anecdotes and a who's who of TSF Alum (including at least one who will be familiar to SoS listeners ;) This is one Shakespeare Festival that is aged to perfection.
Follow them on all platforms: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Flicker
Watch a time lapse of their changeover between shows. -
Toby Malone and Aili Huber
Aili Huber and Toby Malone Cutting Plays for PerformanceMay 16, 2022
Was this the kindest cut of all? It began as a friendly argument between fellow Shakespeareans, Aili Huber and Toby Malone, about how to trim the text of Richard III. They've since collaborated on a book and website with tools and hints to how to cut Shakespeare effectively. With a dose of humor and a dollop of wisdom, Cutting Shakespeare for Performance keenly tackles a sticky subject in Shakespeare.
Click here to follow along with the text.
Find Cutting Shakespeare for Performance at Routledge and Amazon.
Follow them on all platforms: @cuttingplays
Customer Reviews
Fantastic interview!
Barry Edelstein’s interview is a must listen if you have any interest in the state of Theatre as a result of Covid.
Best Shakespeare Podcast our there
I’ve been listening to this podcast since September when it was introduced to me. Not only is it informative, it’s honest and authentic. Jim Elliott and Gerritt VanderMeer allow the audience access to so many Shakespeare scholars and working Shakespearean actors with years and years of experience. I am grateful for Them State of Shakespeare’. It’s my favorite podcast on The Bard!
Love it!
Great stuff! Love the discussions and insight. Keep it up. And thanks!