In Shakespeare’s Dramatic Persons, Travis Curtright examines the influence of the classical rhetorical tradition on early modern theories of acting in a careful study of and selection from Shakespeare’s most famous characters and successful plays. 

Curtright demonstrates that “personation”—the early modern term for playing a role—is a rhetorical acting style that could provide audiences with lifelike characters and action, including the theatrical illusion that dramatic persons possess interiority or inwardness. 

The book focuses upon major characters such as Richard III, Katherina, Benedick, and Iago and ranges from Shakespeare’s early to late work, exploring particular rhetorical forms and how they function in five different plays. At the end of this study, Curtright envisions how Richard Burbage, Shakespeare’s best actor, might have employed the Globe theatre convention of direct address to audience members. 

Though personation clearly differs from the realism aspired to in modern approaches to the stage, Curtright reveals how Shakespeare’s sophisticated use and development of persuasion’s arts would have provided early modern actors with their own means and sense of performing lifelike dramatic persons.

"Travis Curtright's book is one of those rare books on Shakespeare that combines the scholar's understanding of the architecture and language of Shakespeare's plays with the practitioner's understanding of how that information is useful to the actor and the director.  Here's a book that teaches you about rhetoric and character at the same time that it teaches you why it matters on the stage.  In front of me on my desk I keep a row of books I know I'll need to dip back into as I work:  Shakespeare's Dramatic Persons will make that row."  — Ralph Alan Cohen, Gonder Professor of Shakespeare and Performance, Mary Baldwin University and Co-Founder of the American Shakespeare Center

"In this thoroughly persuasive book, Travis Curtright demonstrates that playwrights, like excellent actors, were accomplished rhetoricians; that Shakespeare, in different ways over the course of his career, created dramatic characters from the building blocks of formal rhetorical devices; and that how characters speak and argue and persuade create the illusion of psychology, emotion, inwardness, and subjectivity. There is no other book like it." — Cary M. Mazer, Professor of Theatre Arts and English, University of Pennsylvania

 “A refreshing voice . . . We can look forward to Curtright’s continued work on rhetorical styles of acting and hope to see him continue to bring together the scholarly and the theatrical.” —Theatre History Studies

“A riveting and compelling argument . . . Performers and academics alike will find new approaches to character and a better understanding of Shakespeare’s theatrical craft.” —Moreana

“An important contribution, bringing renewed attention to both rhetoric and the practical realities of performance . . . The depth of Curtright’s scholarship alone makes this a valuable text.”—The Sixteenth Century Journal

Shakespeare in Performance was founded by Professor Travis Curtright in 2012.

He began with shows in a classroom at a university without a drama department. As each production continued to amaze and delight audiences, the call for a theater grew. The university’s administration and donors agreed. To provide Professor Curtright’s students and program a home, the Donahue Family Black Box Theater was designed and completed in 2018.

The productions of Shakespeare in Performance eschew sets, keep the house lights up, and actors directly address audience members. Students are trained in voice, movement, early modern stagecraft, and especially Shakespeare’s language and rhetoric. Professor Curtright also modernizes the plays by reimagining conventional ideas about characters, scenes, or the delivery of monologues; and by adding contemporary pop music and forms of dance or music theater; and with improvisations that involve audience participation.

A skilled acting coach and award-winning teacher, Dr. Curtright invites students of any major or career path to encounter Shakespeare’s art through performance. He presents the craft of acting as a sincere gift of self, combining the practice of acting techniques with St. John Paul II’s vision of the human person. Friendship, too, should be part of the experience that theater provides, especially during the college years, so that young or new actors find encouragement. Students rehearse in a safe environment that encourages growth in self-knowledge, creative risk-taking, and ensemble work. Students and graduates report that acting under Dr. Curtright’s direction was a “life-changing experience.”

Learn more about the program, here.

Adapted and Directed by Travis Curtright

Your Players

Orsino: John Paul Helms

Valentine: Simon Tan

Viola: Julia Nelson/Caroline Vanchura

Sir Toby Belch: Sebastian Curtright

Maria: Rose Williams

Sir Andrew Aguecheek: Andrew Nielson

Feste: Catherine Mullen

Olivia: Helen Henry/Katia Healy

Malvolio: Karl Chojnacki/Abraham Guerra

Sebastian: Kilian Flynn

Antonia: Rachel Hennessey/Kimberly Eads

Musician: Brigid Bakin

"Thomas More" the humanist.  "Sir Thomas More" the statesman.  "Saint Thomas More" the martyr.  Who was Thomas More?  Which characterization of him is most true?  Despite these multiple images and the problems of More's true identity, Travis Curtright uncovers a continuity of interests and, through interdisciplinary contexts, presents The One Thomas More.

"Curtright joins to his focus on More's life and writings a sophisticated review of the reasoning offered by the critics who would split the one More into many.  A masterful survey in all respects." — Renaissance Quarterly

"Curtright's argument carries considerable traction . . . his analysis does contribute to the recent scholarly tsunami against the long-dominant Whiggish and Protestant interpretation of English religious history."  — SEL: Studies in English Literature 1500-1900

"Travis Curtright has realized a masterful synthesis that provides the strongest case to date for seeing More's life and writings as a consistent whole." — Moreana

"Curtright provides a well-written and persuasive argument, grounded in an impressive command of humanist and theological tracts and propelled by a nuanced, methodical rhetorical structure.  The One Thomas More is a formidable defender of both More's unity and the complementary nature of his humanism and Catholicism."  — The Review of Politics

"Curtright has made a brave, scholarly attempt to rehabilitate More . . . Summing Up:  Recommended.  Upper-division undergraduates through faculty."  — Choice Review

"Travis Curtright has produced one of the most carefully nuanced and balanced portraits of Thomas More yet published."  — Richard Harp, University of Nevada, Las Vegas

"The One Thomas More is a much need work of daring." — First Things  

"A convincing reappraisal of More's life and writings, coming after decades of contradictory critiques."  — Marie-Claire Phelippeau, President of Amici Thomae Mori   

"Travis Curtright has now added to the luster of the real More's legacy with his excellent new book The One Thomas More." — Public Discourse

"Travis Curtright does a fine job fusing St. Thomas More's 'humanist credo' and 'his later polemical theology.'" — The Catholic Historical Review

"Curtright strives for an objective perspective and provides his readers with an integrated set of insights from which they can appreciate, ponder but ultimately reconcile the complexities of More's life and thought." —  Online Library of Law and Liberty

“This is a fine book, offering a substantial engagement with and reorientation of recent scholarship even as it lucidly argue for, on the basis of readings from primary texts, a unified Thomas More.”— Ben Johnson Journal

"Travis Curtright sets the record straight that there is just one [More], unified by a belief that faith and reason work together and that both are bound together in a common social framework rooted in proper authority.  St. Thomas More remains an example for Catholics who wish to be good citizens and persons of faith. Curtright ably explains that the resources in More's work are still available to contemporary Catholics."— National Catholic Register

"Curtright's many strengths are best seen in his method of addressing More's various commentators and biographers by grouping both thematically and chronologically.  He opens with an impressive tour of the difficulties facing those who would attempt a defensible sketch of More—pace John Guy's understandable skepticism—that does justice to his human complexity while making sense of the conflicting strands of evidence on which that sketch must rest. The book's five chapters survey More through five signal periods of his life, largely through his major literary works from The Life of Pico della Mirandola to the legal controversies with Christopher St. German.  It culminates in a defense of More's Tower letters that, far from evincing an attempt to evade his ethical responsibilities to speak plainly in defense of the truth, combines 'the moral imperative to speak truly . . . with the teaching on adaptable speech.'" —The Historian

"In this lucid and well-written work, Curtright restores the unity of More's life and thought against 'revisionist' critics who insist on two Mores — the humanist and the increasingly fanatical statesman and martyr. Curtright succeeds in integrating More's writings and public actions, showing that his humanist writings were informed by a Christian humanism that is perfectly consistent with his later deeds and affirmations." — Daniel J. Mahoney, Augustine Chair in Distinguished Scholarship, Assumption College.

Adapted and Directed by Travis Curtright, PhD

Your Players

THE HOUSE OF SIR ROWLAND

Oliver: Joseph Marsh

Orlando: Sebastian Curtright

THE COURT OF THE USURPING DUCHESS

Duchess Frederica: Clare LeBeau

Celia: Mary Hope Randolph

Rosalind: Analiese Hratko and Julia Nelson on alternating show dates

Madame Le Beau: Audrey Curley

Clown, also known as Touchstone or a Motley Boy: Matthew Jacques

Attendant: Anna Campbell

THE GREENWOOD

Duchess Senior: Genevieve Iannacone

Jaques and later a Motley Boy: Matthew Drischoll

Phebe: Marina Curtright

Corinne: Mary Gay

Audrey: Audrey Austin

Silvius: John Paul Helms

Musician: Brigid Bakin

With a guest appearance by Beyonce, the goddess of marriage.

Shakespeare’s Last Play, The Two Noble Kinsmen, adapted and directed by Travis Curtright, PhD.

Twenty-three years after writing his first play, Shakespeare teamed up with John Fletcher to write his last one, The Two Noble Kinsmen (1613), a drama based upon Geoffrey Chaucer’s The Knight’s Tale. If The Tempest was not Shakespeare's last work, why would he finish his writing career in reflection upon Chaucer's much earlier poetry?

IT ALL BEGAN AT A BAR

One manuscript from the period suggests an answer with its record of how Shakespeare and his friends, Richard Burbage and Ben Jonson, carved their names into the "panels" of the Tabard Inn, a tavern already famous as the very place where The Canterbury Tales opened. Chaucer was considered to be the most outstanding English poet before Shakespeare's own rise in prestige, and so Shakespeare's graffiti indicates homage to Chaucer's work.

TO LEAVE YOUR MARK

The Shakespeare graffiti story is also an apt metaphor to describe this adaptation of The Two Noble Kinsmen. The deletion of over 60% of the original, the addition of new characters, and the introduction of music and dance may strike some as illicit scribblings across the public monuments of English literature. Others are welcome to view adaptation as homage. Shakespeare wanted to associate himself with a great poet of the past by inscribing his name into the walls of Tabard Inn. More importantly, he left his mark on Chaucer's original tale by adapting it for the stage.

CHANGING THE MEME

So, too, this production remains a satire of chivalry, though not exactly like the satire that was present in either the original poem or Shakespeare and Fletcher's play. We parody the Bachelor and Bachelorette franchises, male model poses, drunken "country nights," and love doctors. Instead of the original ending, our less than tragic conclusion seeks to redefine and enlarge what "noble kinship" means by emphasizing "love" and "mercy."

YOUR PLAYERS:

ARCITE: Jose Quiceno

PALAMON: Joe Marsh

THESEUS: Will Bell

HERMIA: Brigid Bakin

EMILIA: Naomi Atherley

LOVE DOCTOR: Matt Jacques

HIPPOLYTA: Anna Mahoney

PIRITHOUS: John Scheck

FIRST QUEEN: Anna Coppa

THIRD QUEEN: Lucy Baird

SECOND QUEEN: Mary Gay

JAILER: Michael Lopez

FOURTH COUNTRYMAN: Sebastian Curtright

FIRST COUNTRYMAN: Michael Lopez

VALERIUS: Sebastian Curtright

SECOND COUNTRY WOMAN: Lucy Baird

THIRD COUNTRY WOMAN: Anna Coppa

DANCERS FOR MEIN TENU SAMJHAWAN KI AND SUCKER FOR YOU: Christopher Das, Nicola Brennan, Lannae Nargi, Abigail Kendziorski, Margarita Altomare, Laura Buccheri, Analiese Hratko

HAKA DANCE: John Paul Beller, John Scheck, Jose Quiceno, Joe Marsh

Adapted and directed by Professor Travis Curtright, The Two Gentleman of Verona explores youthful love and the meaning of friendship. Our production is performed in modern dress and with pop music—and features one (real) dog, three outlaws, and two heroines not to be missed.

The Two Gentlemen of Verona

April 21-25, 2021

PROTEUS: Jose Quiceno

VALENTINE: Joe Marsh

JULIA: Brigid Bakin

THE DUKE: Will Bell

SILVIA: Naomi Atherley

LANCE: Sebastian Curtright

SPEED: John Scheck

LUCETTA: Anna Coppa

TURIO: Michael Lopez

ANTONIO: Matt Jacques

PANTINA: Mary Gay

FIRST OUTLAW: John Paul Beller

THIRD OUTLAW: John Scheck

EGLAMOUR: Matt Jacques

SECOND OUTLAW: Clare LeBeau

LANCE’S DOG: Oliver

“LOVE YOURSELF”: Jose Quiceno on guitar, Brigid Bakin on ukulele, Jose Quiceno, Brigid Bakin, Naomi Atherley, Michael Lopez, and Anna Coppa on vocals.

“SUSPICIOUS MINDS”: Jose Quiceno on guitar, Brigid Bakin on ukulele, all cast on vocals.

Moreana is an international and non‐confessional journal, which was founded in 1963 by Abbé Germain Marc'hadour as the official journal of the Amici Thomae Mori, or the Society of Friends of Thomas More. Since Moreana’s inception, the journal has provided leading research on the life and works of More and in Renaissance studies and humanism.  Moreana’s scope includes material not only about More but also about the Renaissance culture in which he lived.  It publishes essays on religion, law, theatre, criticism, poetry, education, and Tudor politics.  The journal’s interdisciplinary scope also engages all fields of research connected to the Sixteenth Century, including history, literature, theology, and political philosophy.  Today, Moreana is read in nearly 30 countries, and its archives comprise the most extensive collection of More studies. 

Moreana est une revue non confessionnelle, fondée en 1963 par l’Abbé Germain Marc'hadour. Elle est la revue officielle de l’association Amici Thomae Mori, les Amis de Thomas More. Depuis ses débuts, Moreana héberge l’essentiel de la recherche sur la vie et les œuvres de More, au sein d’études sur la Renaissance et l’humanisme. En dehors de More lui-même, Moreana s’intéresse à la culture de la Renaissance dans laquelle il vivait et publie une grande variété d’essais qui touchent à la religion, au droit, au théâtre,  à la critique littéraire, à la poésie, à l’éducation ainsi qu’à la politique des Tudor. Ainsi le parti pris interdisciplinaire de la revue aborde-t-il tous les aspects de la recherche en rapport avec le XVIe siècle,  y compris en histoire, en littérature, en théologie ou en philosophie politique. Aujourd’hui, Moreana se lit dans près de 30 pays, et ses archives constituent la plus vaste collection d’études consacrées à Thomas More. 

Editor

Dr Travis R. Curtright, Ave Maria University, Florida

Editorial Board

Dr Stephen M. Foley, Brown University, Providence, RI
Dr Seymour B. House, dean at Mount Angel Abbey and Professor of Ecclesiastical History
Professor Elizabeth McCutcheon, Professor Emerita and long-time chair of Graduate Studies at the University of Hawaii
Professeur Jean-Pierre Moreau, Professor emeritus from the Université de la Sorbonne-Nouvelle, Paris III
Dr Marie-Claire Phélippeau, President of Amici Thomae Mori
Dr Gabriela Schmidt , professor of English Literature and Philology at the University of Munich
Dr Gerard Wegemer, professor of English at the University of Dallas
Dr Lilijana Znidarsic-Golec , archivist in the Slovenian capital, Ljubljana

Print ISSN: 0047-8105

Online ISSN: 2398-4961

To submit an article, visit here.

Hamlet is directed and adapted by Professor Travis Curtright for today’s students and audiences. Welcome to a 97-minute version of a play that includes pop music, sword fights, hip hop dance, and audience interaction. Hamlet is a supernatural thriller, revenge play, and family tragedy that will surprise and move you!

HAMLET: PRINCE OF DENMARK

September 29-October 4, 2020

HAMLET: Jose Quiceno

KING: William Bell

POLONIA/PLAYER 1: Brigid Bakin

GERTRUDE: Gabrielle Brookshier

OPHELIA: Naomi Atherley

LAERTES: Matthew Jacques

HORATIO/PLAYER KING: Joseph Marsh

GHOST/FRIAR: John Paul Beller

BARNARDA/MESSENGER: Josie Timmis

ROSENCRANTZ: John Scheck

GUILDENSTERN/PLAYER LUCIANUS: Sebastian Curtright

MARCELLUS/PIRATE 2: Elizabeth Levesque

PLAYER QUEEN, BAPTISTA: Cassie Schultz

PLAYER 2/PIRATE 1: Emma McLaughlin

ATTENDANT/MESSENGER: Anna Campbell

REYNALDA/SAILOR 1: Marina Curtright

MUSIC AND DANCE

WELCOME TO ELSINORE: WHEN WE ALL FALL ASLEEP WHERE DO WE GO? Michelle Fecteau, Cassie Schultz, Sebastian Curtright, Audrey Austin, Alicia Whelan, Mary Hope Randolph, Naomi Atherly, Jose Quiceno.

HOW TO BE A STAGE PLAYER?: Cassie Schultz, Emma McLaughlin, Brigid Bakin.

THIS THING CALLED LIFE, OR LET’S GO CRAZY: Brigid Bakin, Naomi Atherly, Audrey Austin, Alicia Whelan, Sebastian Curtright, Jose Quiceno.

FEATURED DANCERS FOR LET’S GO CRAZY: Christopher Das (choreographer), Mary Hope Randolph, Cassie Schultz, Michelle Fecteau, John Paul Beller.

Shakespeare in Performance presents

MACBETH

By William Shakespeare (1564-1616)

April 3-14, 2019

DIRECTOR:  Travis Curtright

ASSISTANT TO THE DIRECTOR: Sarah Seghers

STAGE MANAGER: Gabrielle Brookshier

ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGERS: Katherine Gotschall, Fiona Miller

HOUSE and PRODUCTION MANAGER:  Mary Curtright

FUNDRAISING and DEVELOPMENT: Grace Williams 

            ASSISTANT: Joseph Williams

CASTING:  Travis Curtright, Zac Harned, Regina Russo

COSTUMING and PROPS: Sarah Seghers

COSTUME/PROP ASSISTANTS: Maura Littleton, Katherine Gotschall, Gabrielle O'Rourke, Fiona Miller, Gabrielle Brookshier

HAIR and MAKEUP: Katherine Gotschall

HAIR and MAKEUP ASSISTANTS: Marina Curtright, Josie Timmis, Michaela Flynn, GabrielleO'Rourke, Angelie Batista, Brigid Bakin

MUSICAL DIRECTOR: Regina Russo

ASSISTANT MUSICAL DIRECTORS:  Elise Larres, Isabella Crum

DRAMATURGY: Jude Van de Voorde (prosody and figures of speech)

CHOREOGRAPHY: John Paul Beller, Sarah Seghers, Brigid Bakin

PROMPTER and BLOCKING NOTES: Sarah Seghers 

MARKETING LEAD:  Grace Williams

MARKETING ASSISTANTS: Maura Littleton, John Paul West, Michaela Flynn, David Scanlan

VOCAL WARM-UP:  Elise Larres

VOICE COACHES: Zac Harned, Regina Russo, Andrew Olson.  

            *Voice coaches will work onlyby specific assignment of Dr. Curtright

WORD PERFECT COACHES: Gabrielle Brookshier, Fiona Miller, Zac Harned, Robert Gotschall, Katherine Gotschall, Brigid Connolly, Katherine Hand, Jude Van De Voorde

BACKSTAGE CREW: Angelie Batista, Michael Chaney, Brigid Connolly, Sam Perenich, Joseph Thrun, Jude Van de Voorde, Joseph Marsh, William Bell, Francesco D’Agostino, Cassandra Schultz, Jasmine Batista

DANCERS:  Sarah Seghers, John Paul Beller, Maura Littleton

MUSCIANS:  Michaela Flynn, Isabella Crum, Francesco D’Agostino, Zack Johanni, Cassandra Schultz, Jasmine Batista.

THE C3 BAND: Francesco D’Agostino, Brigid Bakin, Angelie Batista, Jasmine Batista, Izzy Crum, Cassandra Schultz, Michaela Flynn, John Paul West, Jude Van de Voorde, Grace Williams, Maura Littleton, John Paul Beller, Joseph Williams, David Scanlan, Joseph Marsh, Michael Chaney, Joseph Thrun, Sarah Seghers, Zack Johanni

AUDIO-VISUAL: John Paul Beller, Marina Curtright, John Paul West, Michaela Flynn, Jude Van de Voorde

FRONT OF HOUSE/HOSPITALITY and TICKETING: Jude Van de Voorde, Fiona Miller, Eliza Levesque, Gabrielle O'Rourke, Brigid Connolly, Katherine Hand, Zack Johanni.

YOUR PLAYERS:

MACBETH:  Joseph Williams.

LADY MACBETH:  Sarah Seghers.

MACDUFF:  Joseph Marsh.

MALCOLM: Michael Chaney.

ROSS:  Joseph Thrun.  

BANQUO: Sam Perenich.

DUNCAN: David Scanlan.

FIRST WITCH:  Sarah Seghers.

SECOND WITCH:  Maura Littleton.

THIRD WITCH: John Paul Beller.

LENNOX:  William Bell.

FIRST MURDERER: John Paul Beller.

LADY MACDUFF:  Gabrielle O’Rourke.

DOCTOR:  Brigid Connolly.

PORTER:  Robert Gotschal.l

SIWARD:  John Paul West.

DAUGHTER:  Brigid Bakin.

GENTLEWOMAN:  Elise Larres.

SECOND MURDERER:  Zack Johanni.              

MESSENGER: Cassandra Shultz.

MENTEITH: Eliza Levesque.

SERGEANT: Eliza Levesque.

DONALBAIN:  Jude Van De Voorde.

OLD MAN: Robert Gotschall.

YOUNG SIWARD: Katherine Hand.

THIRD MURDERER: William Bell.

SEYTON: Zack Johanni.

SERVANT: Jasmine Batista.

FLEANCE:  Francesco D’Agostino.

ATTENDANT: Elise Larres.

CAST

Don Pedro, Prince of Aragon: John Scheck

Benedick, a gentleman of Padua: Matthew Jacques

Claudio, a young lord of Florence: John Paul Helms

Leonata, Governor of Messina: Julia Nelson/Genevieve Iannocone

Beatrice, cousin to Leonata: Katia Healy/Clare LeBeau

Hero, sister to Leonata: Analiese Hratko

Margaret, attending on and friend of Hero: Marina Curtright

Dogberry, an officer of the law: Sebastian Curtright

Friar Francis, a priest: Karl Chojnacki

Lorenzo, a servant: Simon Grambling/Simon Tan

Donna Gianna, sister of Don Pedro: Rosie Hall

Borachia, confidant of Donna Gianna: Mary Gay/Kira Imhoff

ARBOR PLAYERS

Malcolm Curtright; Simon Grambling/Simon Tan; Mary Gay/Kira Imhoff

DRAMTURGY, BLOCKING NOTES, STAGE MANAGEMENT

Cecilia Marsh, Iulia Goean

HAIR AND MAKEUP

Marina Curtright, Katia Healy

DANCE AND WARMUPS

Analiese Hratko, John Scheck, Marina Curtright

DANCE CAPTIANS

Mary Gay, Malcolm Curtright, Julia Nelson, Analiese Hratko

OFF BOOK CHECKS

Branden Pannell, Iulia Goean, Cecilia Marsh

PRODUCTION INTERNS and MARKETING

John Scheck and Genevieve Iannocone

HOSPITALITY

Branden Pannell, Malcolm Curtright, Iulia Goean

Pictures are from the July 7, 2023 production of Macbeth at Our Lady of the Rosary School and Orphanage in Nabutongwa Village, Masaka in Uganda. Students performed in a 60 minute version of Macbeth that included dance and poetry. Our Lady of the Rosary School was founded by Fr. Joseph Lugalambi who also cast this production. Our special thanks to Lawrence and Kathleen Gentine who made this show possible!

Shakespeare in Performance presents

THE TEMPEST

By William Shakespeare (1564-1616)

April 3-14, 2019

DIRECTOR:  Travis Curtright.

ASSISTANT TO THE DIRECTOR: Sarah Seghers.

STAGE MANAGER: Gabrielle Brookshier.

ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER: Fiona Miller.

HOUSE and PRODUCTION MANAGER:  Mary Curtright.

FUNDRAISING and DEVELOPMENT: Grace Williams. 

            ASSISTANT: Joseph Williams.

CASTING:  Travis Curtright, Zac Harned, Regina Russo.

COSTUMING and PROPS: Sarah Seghers.

COSTUME/PROP ASSISTANTS: Maura Littleton, Katherine Gotschall, Gabrielle O'Rourke, Fiona Miller, Gabrielle Brookshier.

HAIR and MAKEUP: Katherine Gotschall.

HAIR and MAKEUP ASSISTANTS: Marina Curtright, Josie Timmis, Michaela Flynn, GabrielleO'Rourke, Angelie Batista, Brigid Bakin.

MUSICAL DIRECTOR: Regina Russo.

ASSISTANT MUSICAL DIRECTORS:  Elise Larres, Isabella Crum.

DRAMATURGY: Jude Van de Voorde (prosody and figures of speech)

CHOREOGRAPHY: John Paul Beller, Sarah Seghers, Brigid Bakin.

PROMPTER and BLOCKING NOTES: Sarah Seghers. 

MARKETING LEAD:  Grace Williams.

MARKETING ASSISTANTS: Maura Littleton, John Paul West, Michaela Flynn, David Scanlan.

VOCAL WARM-UP:  Elise Larres.

VOICE COACHES: Zac Harned, Regina Russo, Andrew Olson.  *Voice coaches will work onlyby specific assignment of Dr. Curtright.

WORD PERFECT COACHES: Gabrielle Brookshier, Fiona Miller, Zac Harned, Robert Gotschall, Katherine Gotschall, Brigid Connolly, Katherine Hand, Jude Van De Voorde.

BACKSTAGE CREW: Angelie Batista, Michael Chaney, Brigid Connolly, Sam Perenich, Joseph Thrun, Jude Van de Voorde, Joseph Marsh, William Bell, Francesco D’Agostino, Cassandra Schultz, Jasmine Batista.

DANCERS:  Sarah Seghers, John Paul Beller, Maura Littleton.

MUSCIANS:  Michaela Flynn, Isabella Crum, Francesco D’Agostino, Zack Johanni, Cassandra Schultz, Jasmine Batista.

THE C3 BAND: Francesco D’Agostino, Brigid Bakin, Angelie Batista, Jasmine Batista, Izzy Crum, Cassandra Schultz, Michaela Flynn, John Paul West, Jude Van de Voorde, Grace Williams, Maura Littleton, John Paul Beller, Joseph Williams, David Scanlan, Joseph Marsh, Michael Chaney, Joseph Thrun, Sarah Seghers, Zack Johanni.

AUDIO-VISUAL: John Paul Beller, Marina Curtright, John Paul West, Michaela Flynn, Jude Van de Voorde.

FRONT OF HOUSE/HOSPITALITY and TICKETING: Jude Van de Voorde, Fiona Miller, Eliza Levesque, Gabrielle O'Rourke, Brigid Connolly, Katherine Hand, Zack Johanni.

YOUR PLAYERS:

PROSPERA: Grace Williams.

CALIBAN: Jude Van De Voorde.

ARIEL: Maura Littleton.

FERDINAND: Francesco D’Agostino. 

ANTONIO: William Bell.

MIRANDA: Brigid Bakin.

GONZALO: John Paul West.

STEPHANIA: Gabrielle O’Rourke.

SEBASTIAN: John Paul Beller.

ALONSO: David Scanlan.

TRINCULO: Robert Gotschall.

BOATSWAIN: Joseph Marsh.

MARINERS:  Michael Chaney, Joseph Thrun, Sam Perenich.

FRANCISCA: Eliza Levesque.

ADRIANA: Cassandra Shultz.                     

MASTER:  Joseph Thrun.

“Thomas More as author of Margaret Roper’s letter to Alice Alington”

Why would Sir Thomas More write a letter to Alice Alington under the name of Margaret More Roper? To answer that question, this essay examines the political and familial circumstances of the letter’s composition, its artfully concealed designed of forensic oratory, and use of indirect argument.

“Church Scandal through the eyes of St. Thomas More”

The image of Christ in prayer, wracked by sorrow, grief, fear, and weariness, inspired Thomas More’s final work, which is often referred to as The Sadness of Christ. As More awaited his own trial and execution, he addressed “the story of that time when the apostles were sleeping as the Son of Man was being betrayed.” Astonishingly, More claimed that this scene in the gospel was “a mysterious image of future times.” More justified a figurative and even prophetic reading of Christ’s betrayal for a single reason. He believed that Christ was “betrayed into the hands of sinners” whenever “an imminent danger” threatened “the mystical body of Christ, the Church of Christ.” As a result, More intended to provide his readers with a universal, perennial message that could be applied to any age.

“The making of a martyr and loss of a poet: Richard Tottel, Reginald Pole, and Thomas More in 1556–57”

Should Thomas More be considered England's lost Renaissance poet? This essay investigates the printing and reception of More's vernacular verses in light of the Marian restoration of Catholicism, including More's overall treatment as a martyr, an opponent of heresy, and the political uses of his reputation. In the context and events of 1556–57, More's status as a poet diminishes while his public persona as a divinely inspired author of theological controversies grows.

"Thomas More and the 'genius' of Utopia"

Was Thomas More a "genius"? This essay examines the meaning and English translation of the Latin word ingenium in the prefatory letters to the 1518 edition of Utopia. In the context of the classical oratorical tradition and its important iteration and adjustment in De copia (1512–34), the uses of ingenium indicate how humanist readers of Utopia assessed More's rhetorical abilities.

"Sir Thomas More and his Opposition to Henry VIII in 1533"

Biographers and historians typically view the months leading up to Anne Boleyn’s June, 1533 coronation as the time of More’s retirement to Chelsea, full of isolation and anxiety, and for writing “bitter, ugly, almost unreadable books” against heresy.  From More’s publications against William Tyndale and Christopher St. German to crucial events like parliament’s approval of the Act in Restraint of Appeals, however, I find More’s so-called retirement from office a time full of polemical battle and political intrigue.

"From Thomas More’s Workshop: De Tristitia Christi and the Catena aurea"

Imagine Thomas More’s cell in the Tower of London, what he calls his “shop,” and his books, what he refers to as his “implements.” In such a shop and with these tools, More produces his “goods,” among which we count his De Tristitia Christi. On June 12, 1535, the King’s Council determines More’s books shall be taken away from him. According to More’s early biographer, Thomas Stapleton, More keeps his blinds drawn down day and night after that. When his jailer asks why, More replies: “Now that the goods and the implements are taken away, the shop must be closed.” Less than a month afterwards, More’s trial and execution occurs. What are these “implements” that More values so much?

"Wolf Hall: Tudor History through an Anti-Historical, Anti-Catholic Lens"

As Downton Abbey and Sherlock have raised the ratings of Masterpiece television, PBS has just launched a new sensation on Sunday nights: Wolf Hall. The new six-part miniseries on Tudor politics and the Protestant Reformation is based on Hilary Mantel’s bestselling Wolf Hall: A Novel and its sequel Bring Up the Bodies.

"Thomas More on Humor"

Though More's quip could be apocryphal, it represents well enough what R. S. Sylvester calls More’s "sharp and ironic view of both himself and others," a provocative deployment of wit, which More’s admirers often ignore and his critics frequently misunderstand. 

"Why Thomas More is the Patron Saint of Statesmen"

Wolf Hall, the recent novel-turned-television series, raises the question of who is right about the actions and legacy of Thomas More (1478-1535) and Thomas Cromwell (1485-1540). The stakes are higher than many realize. 

"Humanist Lawyer, Public Career: Thomas More and Conscience"

Because Thomas More did not introduce grand programs of Utopian policy through new legislation, or modify the fundamental nature of British law with principles of humanist jurisprudence, most scholars regard More as a follower of Cardinal Wolsey’s legal innovations and not much of a reformer himself. This essay will challenge that perception, presenting More as a humanist reformer by examining the importance of equity to humanist legal and rhetorical studies and by showing how More viewed the law as part of the liberal arts.

“A ‘Pre-Machiavellian Moment’: Thomas More’s Poetry and The History of Richard III”

Did More write his History to provide a factual account of Richard’s rise to power, or practice his skills of declamation, or to dramatize a moral fable? No study exists that shows how the History relates to the political themes of More’s poetry, though both were written during the same period.  This groundbreaking essay shows how the History develops several political themes advances in More’s Latin and early English verses.

Shakespeare in Performance presents The Taming of the Shrew (April 11-22, 2018)

Coverage of our production here and here!

DIRECTOR:

Travis Curtright

IN PADUA:

BAPTISTA, a lady of Padua: Maura Littleton
KATHERINA, her elder daughter, the Shrew: Sarah Seghers, Rachael Wisely
BIANCA, Baptista's younger daughter: Grace Williams
GREMIO, a young man of Padua, suitor to Bianca: William Bell
LUCENTIO, from Pisa, another suitor to Bianca: Jacob Kessler
TRANIO, his manservant: Jude Van de Voorde
BIONDELLO, another servant of Lucentio: John Paul Beller
VINCENTIO, Lucentio’s father: Joseph Thrun
HORTENSIO, eventual husband to Portia: Joseph Williams
PORTIA, a lover of Hortensio: Nora Anderson
PETRUCHIO, of Verona, suitor to Katherine: Mark O’Keefe
GRUMIO, his manservant: Robby Gotschall
MERCHANT, from Mantua: Zachary Johanni
TAILOR AND HABERDASHER: Erin Koehler
SERVANT: Anilia Rivera

INTRODUCING PETRUCHIO’S SERVANTS, THE BELLAS:
CELIA: Victoria Velasquez
NATALIE: Elise Larres
PHILLIS: Izzy Crum
JOSIE: Cassie Schultz
NICOLETTE: Fiona Miller

BAND
Anilia Rivera, Fiona Miller, Victoria Velasquez, Elise Larres, Izzy Crum, Cassie Schultz, Nora Anderson, Brigid Bakin

CASTING DIRECTORS:
Travis Curtright, Zac Harned, Regina Russo

STAGE MANAGER & ASSISTANT TO THE DIRECTOR:
Teresa Timmis

GENERAL MANAGER:
Rose Reed

LOVE’S LABOURS LOST
By William Shakespeare (1564-1616)
April 6-23rd, 2017

Click for News Coverage of our production!

DIRECTOR: Travis Curtright
STAGE MANAGER and ASSISTANT TO THE DIRECTOR: Katherine Gotschall
HOUSE MANAGER: Rose Reed
FUNDRAISING and DEVELOPMENT: Louisa Zachmann
ASSISTANT: Rachael Wisely
CASTING: Travis Curtright, Andrew Olson, Sarah Bucknell, Sean Hanus
COSTUMING: Rachael Wisely
HAIR and MAKEUP: Erin Koehler and Teresa Timmis
ASSISTANT: Sarah Seghers
MUSICAL DIRECTORS: Sean Hanus, Paula Shute, Katie Driscoll, Regina Russo
DRAMATURGY: Allie Dawson (paraphrasing); Jude Van de Voorde (prosody and figures of speech)
CHOREOGRAPHY: Erin Koehler, James Barrows, John Paul Beller
PROMPTER AND BLOCKING NOTES: Teresa Timmis  
MARKETING: Louisa Zachmann, Rose Reed
ASSISTANT: Maura Littleton
PHOTOGRAPHY: Teresa Timmis
MUSCIANS: John-Paul Arias, Anilia Rivera, Izzy Crum, Sean Hanus, Taylor Bayne
VOCAL WARM-UP: Rachael Wisely, Robby Gotschall
PROPS: Katherine Gotschall and Teresa Timmis
VOICE COACHES: Sarah Bucknell, Regina Russo, Paula Shute, Katie Driscoll, Nick Ciavarra
*Voice coaches will work only by specific assignment of Dr. Curtright
SET-UP/BREAK-DOWN OF SETS: Jude Van de Voorde, James Barrows, Jacob Kessler, John Paul Beller
DANCERS: Francis Crawford, Louisa Zachmann, Sarah Seghers, John Paul Beller, James Barrows
MASK EXERCISES AND MOVEMENT: Briana Edwards
VOCAL SOLOISTS: Victoria Velasquez, Elise Larres, Michael Stewart, Izzy Crum, Sean Hanus
THE C3 BAND: Victoria Velasquez, Elise Larres, Michael Stewart, Izzy Crum, Sean Hanus, Diana Lopez, Michael Driscoll, Rachael Wisely, Grace Williams, Taylor Bayne, Anilia Rivera, John-Paul Arias, Sam Hughes, James Barrows, Jude Van de Voorde

YOUR PLAYERS
*please note that some roles were double cast 

FERDINAND: Michael Driscoll
BEROWNE: James Barrows
LONGAVILLE: Jude Van de Voorde, Michael Stewart
DUMAIN: John Paul Beller, Sam Hughes
BOYET: Jacob Kessler
MARCADE: Francis Crawford
DON ADRIANO DE ARMADO: Robby Gotschall
SIR NATHANIEL: Conner O’Brien
HOLOFERNIA: Katie Driscoll
DULL: Elise Larres
COSTARD: Brady Ostendorf
MOTH: Rachael Wisely
A FORESTER: Francis Crawford
THE PRINCESS OF FRANCE: Sarah Seghers, Louisa Zachmann
ROSALINE: Maura Littleton, Grace Williams
MARIA: Izzy Crum, Taylor Bayne
KATHARINE: Diana Lopez, Victoria Velasquez
JAQUENETTA: Erin Koehler
FIRST LORD: John-Paul Arias

Shakespeare in Performance presents
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
By William Shakespeare (1564-1616)
April 16-26, 2015 

DIRECTOR: Travis Curtright.
STAGE MANAGER and ASSISTANT TO THE DIRECTOR: Jennifer Santschi.
FUNDRAISING AND DEVELOPMENT: Bailey Timmis.
CASTING: Travis Curtright, Danny Garland, Timothy McDonnell, Shirley Anghel.
COSTUMING, HAIR, AND MAKEUP: Bailey Timmis, Katherine Levesque, Teresa Timmis.
MUSICAL DIRECTORS: Andrew Olson, Maria Molter, Michaela Cheffers, Katie Beth Miller.
LIVE COVERS of Eurythmics, “Sweet Dreams”; Vance Joy, “Riptide”; Frankie Lymon & The Teenagers, “Why Do Fools Fall in Love”; Bon Jovi, “You Give Love a Bad Name”; Soft Cell, “Tainted Love”; Taylor Swift, “Shake It Off”; Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros, “Home”; Justin Timberlake, “SexyBack”; Fairy Benediction by Claire van Kampen.
DRAMATURGY: Shirley Anghel (figures of speech), Andrew Olson (prosody), Bailey Timmis (paraphrasing).
CHOREOGRAPHY: Mary Catherine Beller, Jessica Higa.
MASTER OF ARMS: Genevieve McNallis.
PROMPTER: Allie Dawson.
MARKETING: Jennifer Santschi. 
PHOTOGRAPHY: Teresa Timmis and Jennifer Santschi.
MUSCIANS: Maria Molter, Sean Hanus, Peter Atkinson, Jeremiah Foster, Michaela Cheffers, Bridget Hebert.
VOCAL WARM-UP: Nick Ciavarra.
PROPS: Erin Mamot and Teresa Timmis.
VIDEO PRODUCER: Eric Coughlin.
SECOND CAMERA: Brad Hall.

YOUR PLAYERS
*please note that some roles were double cast. 

THESEUS: Michael Driscoll.
HIPPOLYTA: Bailey Timmis, Erin Mamott.
EGEUS: Conner O’Brien.
LYSANDER: Nick Ciavarra.
DEMETRIUS: Sam Hughes, Jacob Cornwell.
HERMIA: Emily Swope, Rachel Wisely.
HELENA: Briana Edwards, Paula Shute.
PHILOSTRATA: Rose Reed, Bridget Hebert.
OBERON: Andrew Olson.
TITANIA: Mary Catherine Beller, Katie Beth Miller.
PUCK: Robert Gotschall.
PEASBLOSSOM: Michaela Cheffers, Nora Harkins.
COBWEB: Katherine Levesque, Louisa Zachmann.
MOTH: Victoria Velasquez, Maria Molter.
MUSTARDSEED: Genevieve McNalis, Jessica Higa.
A SPRITE: Michael Stewart.
PETER QUINCE: Mitch Marcello.
NICK BOTTOM: Peter Atkinson.
FRANCIS FLUTE: John Paul Royals.
TOM SNOUT: Christopher Hahn.
ROBIN STARVELING: Sean Hanus.
SNUG: Jeremiah Foster.
ATTENDANTS: Elizabeth Prebilic, Allison Dawson.

Coverage of our production!

The year 2015 marks the fifteenth anniversary of Thomas More’s becoming Patron Saint of Statesmen and Politicians. Yet during these years no serious answer has been given by a community of scholars as to why More would be the choice of over 40,000 leaders from ninety-five countries. What were More’s guiding principles of leadership and in what ways might they remain applicable? This collection of essays addresses these questions by investigating More through his writings, his political actions, and in recent artistic depictions.

"The volume's illumination of More's life, writings, and historical reception deserves the attention of all scholars and teachers—Catholic and non-Catholic alike."
— Fellowship of Catholic Scholars Quarterly

"This remarkable collection of essays offers a convincing and multifaceted view of Thomas More as the ideal Christian statesman.
— Marie-Claire Phelippeau, President of The Amici Thomae Mori.

"In 2000 Pope John Paul II proclaimed St. Thomas More to be the patron of statesmen and people in public life.  And yet scholarly investigations of More's principles of statesmanship are still relatively few.  In commissioning and editing this often stimulating collection of essays, Travis Curtright seeks to fill the gap.  He and his fellow contributors, several connected to the Center for Thomas More Studies at the University of Dallas, aim to revive interest in More by distilling from his writings and life experiences the very essence of this subtle, steely individual who began as a commercial lawyer and moral philosopher and ended up as Henry VIII's only honest councilor.  It is an approach that in the wrong hands could become comply instrumentalist and teleological.  Fortunately, these contributors know the pitfalls and largely avoid them . . . . By writing Utopia, More created an entirely new literary genre, one that has continued to rekindle the perennially central issues of social and political thinking ever since.  And for that, his statesmanship should be honored." —John Guy, Clare College Cambridge, for The Catholic Historical Review

"This excellent book dives deep into the mystery of Thomas More (1478-1535), lawyer, scholar, saint.  It was published to commemorate Pope John Paul's naming More the Patron of Statesman, and examines, in particular, the grounds for that honorific. The authors included in this volume read like a who's who of More scholarship.  Their carefully crafted essays are worthy of close study and will repay the efforts of serious students as well as interested amateurs. The essays are variously focused but, taken as a whole, admirably comprehensible in exploring the words and deeds of their famous subject." — Interpretation:  A Journal of Political Philosophy

Why Patron? may be purchased, here.

Edited by Gerard B. Wegemer and Travis Curtright.

Thomas More's original and famous sixteenth-century text is modernized and annotated for today's readers.  Both the reading edition for students and study guide are free downloads from The Center for Thomas More Studies.  

Credits from Shakespeare in Performance's THE WINTER’S TALE (2016) by William Shakespeare (1564-1616)

Coverage of our production!

DIRECTOR: Travis Curtright.
STAGE MANAGER and ASSISTANT TO THE DIRECTOR: Katherine Levesque.
FUNDRAISING and DEVELOPMENT: Bailey Timmis.
Assistants: Louisa Zachmann, Rachael Wisely.
CASTING: Travis Curtright, Jennifer Santschi, Sarah Bucknell, Regina Russo.
COSTUME DESIGN: Bailey Timmis.
COSTUMING: Louisa Zachmann in charge.
Assistants: Rose Reed, Erin Koheler, Grace Williams.
HAIR and MAKEUP: Katherine Levesque and Teresa Timmis in charge. 
Assistants: Erin Koehler, Sarah Seghers, Grace Williams
MUSICAL DIRECTOR: Regina Russo.
DRAMATURGY: Allie Dawson (paraphrasing), Andrew Olson (prosody).
CHOREOGRAPHY: Mary Catherine Beller.
Assistants: Erin Koehler, James Barrows.
PROMPTER: Allie Dawson.
MARKETING: Michael John Dauphinais.
Assistants: Rachael Wisely, Grace Williams, Louisa Bachmann.
PHOTOGRAPHY: Teresa Timmis.
MUSICIANS: Jeremy Foster, Sean Hanus, Taylor Bayne.
VOCAL WARM-UP: Briana Edwards, Mary Catherine Beller.
PROPS: Katherine Levesque and Teresa Timmis.
VOICE COACHES: Sarah Bucknell, Andrew Olson, Allie Dawson, Katie Beth Miller.
*Voice coaches will work only by specific assignment of Dr. Curtright
SET-UP/BREAK-DOWN OF SETS: Mitch Marcello, John Royals, Jacob Cornwell.

YOUR PLAYERS
Note: Some roles will alternate between “cast A” and “cast B” troupe members during our production. The first name on the list is “cast A” and the second “cast B.” Both casts will have an equal number of shows.

TIME: Michael Stewart.
ARCHIDAMUS: Michael Stewart.
OFFICER/SERVANT/3RD GENTLEMAN: Jude Van De Voorde.
1st LORD/LORD: Sean Hanus.
EMILIA/ATTENDANT: Teresa Timmis/Victoria Velasquez. 
JAILOR: Jeremy Foster.
MARINER: Michael Klein.
MUSICIAN: Jeremy Foster.
PERDITA: Sarah Seghers, Rachael Wisely.
PAULINA: Emily Swope, Mary Catherine Beller.
HERMIONE: Paula Shute, Briana Edwards.
FLORIZEL: John Paul Royals, Brady Ostendorf.
AN OLD SHEPHERDESS: Louisa Zachmann, Rose Reed.
CLOWN: Robby Gotschall, Sam Hughes.
MOPSA: Grace Williams.
DORCAS: Erin Koehler.
LEONTES: Andrew Olson.
CAMILLO: Jacob Cornwell.
ANTIGONUS: Michael John Dauphinais.
CLEOMENES: Michael Klein.
DION: Christopher Hahn.
POLIXENES: Mitch Marcello.
AUTOLYCUS: James Barrows.
THE BEAR: Sam Hughes, Robby Gotschall, and some other guy.
MUSICIANS: Jeremy Foster, Taylor Bayne, Sean Hanus.
THE C3 BAND: Directed by Regina Russo.
Jeremy Foster, Sean Hanus, Michael Stewart, Taylor Bayne, Grace Williams, Jude Van de Voorde, Victoria Velasquez, Paula Shute, Emily Swope, Rachael Wisely, Andrew Olson, James Barrows, Jacob Cornwell  
DANCERS: James Barrows, Sam Hughes, Louisa Zachmann, John Paul Beller, Paula Shute, Victoria Velasquez, Michael Stewart, Grace Williams, Rose Reed, John Paul Royals, Brady Ostendorf, Jude Van de Voorde, Robby Gotschall, Sarah Seghers, Rachael Wisely, Erin Koehler.

Shakespeare in Performance presents
Much Ado About Nothing (2013)

Directed by Travis Curtright.
Casting Directors: Tim McDonnell, Travis Curtright, Danny Garland
Voice: Maria McDonnell.

YOUR PLAYERS
Don Pedro: Michael Hayden.
Benedick: Zac Harned.
Claudio: Nicholas Ciavarra.
Balthasar: Paul Dittus.
Don John: Charles Atkinson.
Borachio: Charles Carlisi.
Conrad: Ethan Milukas.
Leonato: Andrew Olson.
Friar Francis: Andrew Heim.
Dogberry: Peter Atkinson.
Verges: John Miller.
Messenger and Sexton: Thomas Pacer.
Watch 1: Karli Seaberg.
Watch 2: David Higgins.
Watch 3: Sally Schunke.
George Seacoal: Patrick Simmons.
Girl: Meagan Gallipeau.
Attendant 1: Alyssa Nuzzo.
Attendant 2: Karli Seaberg.

THE ABOVE PERFORMED WITH CAST “A” AND “B” ON SEPARATE NIGHTS. 

CAST A:
Beatrice: Leslie Nagel.
Hero: Sarah Landry.
Margaret: Reanna Barakat.
Ursula: Sarah Kinnick.
Innogen: Emily Stuyt.
CAST B:
Beatrice: Vanessa Tompkins.
Hero: Anna Sophia Pakaluk.
Margaret: Jenn Davidson.
Ursula: Claire Kirsch.
Innogen: Annemarie Allen.

C3 BAND MEMBERS:
Paul Dittus, Vanessa Tompkins, Peter and Charles Atkinson, Reanna Barakat, Alyssa Nuzzo, Karli Seaberg, Michael Hayden, Emily Stuyt, John Miller, Andrew Olson.

CHOREOGRAPHY AND COSTUMING: Sarah Kinnick and Sally Schunke.
HAIR AND MAKE-UP: Claire Kirsch and Sally Schunke.
TICKETING: Leslie Nagel.
POSTER DESIGN AND ART: Megan Gallipeau.
PHOTOGRAPHY: Reanna Barakat and Tyler Neil.
TALK BACKS COORDINATOR: Leslie Nagel.
STAGE MANAGERS: Jenn Davidson and Zac Harned.

Edited by Stephen W. Smith and Travis Curtright.

What were Shakespeare's final thoughts on history, tragedy, and comedy? Shakespeare's Last Plays focuses much needed scholarly attention on Shakespeare's "Late Romances." The work—a collection of newly commissioned essays by leading scholars of classical political philosophy and literature—offers careful textual analysis of Pericles, Prince of Tyre, Cymbeline, The Winter's Tale, The Tempest, All is True, and The Two Noble Kinsmen.  The essays reveal how Shakespeare's thought in these final works compliments, challenges, fulfills, or transforms previously held conceptions of the playwright and his political-philosophical views.

"This collection will be really helpful to those who have grappled in captivated puzzlement with Shakespeare's late plays. The Catholic sensibility; the philospher's heroism of his stand-in, Prospero; the reconciliation of tragic and comic outcomes; the restorative power of art; the deformation of the plays in postmodern theory—these themes are just a sample of the scope and variety of these essays."—Eva Brann, St. John's College

"This volume contains essays by some of the world's leading students of Shakespearean politics on his last 'problem' plays. It is a must read for anyone who wishes to partake of Shakespeare's political wisdom—or simply to understand the plays themselves!"—Catherine H. Zuckert, Notre Dame University

Shakespeare in Performance presents
What You Will (2014)

Coverage of our production!

Directed by Travis Curtright.
Casting by Tim McDonnell, Travis Curtright, Danny Garland.

YOUR PLAYERS
ORSINO, Duke of Illyria: Mitch Marcello. All Shows.
Understudy: John Paul Royals.
ORSINO’S ENTOURAGE: John Paul Royals, Alyssa Nuzzo, Regina Russo, Bridget Herbert.
VALENTINE: John Miller. All shows.
CURIO: Gentlemen attending on the Duke: Michael Stewart. All shows.
OLIVIA, a rich Countess: Cast A: Brianna Edwards.
Cast B: Mary Catherine Beller.
Understudy: Emily Swope.
ATTENDANTS to Olivia: Allison Dawson, Emily White, Emily Swope.
SERVANT to Olivia: Cast A: Bailey Timmis.
Cast B: Genevieve McNalis.
FESTE, a Clown, Servant to Olivia: Nick Ciavarra. All Shows.
Understudy: Bridget Herbert.
MALVOLIO, Steward to Olivia: Andrew Olson. All Shows.
Understudy: Michael John Dauphinais.
FABIOLA/FABIAN, Servant to Olivia: Cast A: Jenn Davidson. 
Cast B: Jacob Cornwell.
Understudy: Allison Dawson.
SIR TOBY BELCH, Uncle to Olivia: Zac Harned. All Shows.
SIR ANDREW AGUECHEEK: Robert Gotchsall. All Shows.
MARIA, Olivia’s Woman: Claire Kirsch. All Shows.
Understudy: Emily White.
VIOLA, in love with the Duke: Sophie Pakaluk. All Shows.
SEBASTIAN, Brother to Viola: Andrew Heim. All Shows.
ANTONIA, a Sea Pirate, Friend to Sebastian: Cast A: Sarah Landry. 
Cast B: Jessica Higa.
SEA CAPTAIN: Michael John Dauphinais. All shows.
PRIEST: John Paul Royals. All shows.
1ST OFFICER: Emily Swope. All shows.
2Nd OFFICER: Michael John Dauphinais. All shows.
3rd OFFICER: John Miller. All shows.
4th OFFICER: John Paul Royals. All shows.
MUSICIANS: Regina Russo (guitar), Bridget Herbert (fife), Alyssa Nuzzo (violin). All shows.
INTERLUDE 1: What a wonderful world  
(after the gulling of Malvolio, just after 2.5 and before 3.1)
Musical Arrangement and Direction by John Miller. Cast for all shows: John Miller, Andrew Olson, Andrew Heim, Nick Ciavarra, Michael Stewart, Regina Russo.

INTERLUDE 2: And we’ll all come praising Viola  
(after 4.3 and just before 5.1)
Directed by Sarah Kinnick. Cast for all shows: Regina: guitar and chorus; Michael: soloist; dancers: Jess, Sarah, Mary Catherine, Brianna; chorus: Emily Swope, Andrew Olson, John Miller, Andrew Heim, Nick Ciavarra; drums Spencer Brown; violin: Alyssa.

FINALE: You don’t know you are beautiful
Cast for all shows: Nick, Andrew H., Andrew O., Regina (guitar), Michael, John. This will involve a chorus of all characters, which leads into our curtain call.  
C3 BAND: Regina Russo (guitar) and in charge. Members: Michael Stewart, Alyssa Nuzzo (violin), John Miller, Bridget Herbert (fife), Andrew Olson, Emily Swope. Band will perform a pre-show of 15 minutes and a second set at intermission. 
Note: Some roles will alternate between “cast A” and “cast B” troupe members during our production. 

OTHER CREDITS:
PRE-SHOW WARM UP: Zac Harned.
PRE-SHOW: Sophie Pakaluk and Zac Harned.
DANCE CHOREOGRAPHY: Sarah Kinnick.

MASTER OF ARMS: Genevieve McNalis.  
Fight choreography and sword training 

MUSICAL ARRANGEMENT AND DIRECTOR: John Miller.

STAGE MANAGER 1: Missy Brassie and Jenn Davidson.
Keeper of prompt book 1
Defender of curtains

STAGE MANAGER 2: Zac Harned.
Set up, take down, of stage and green room. The following team will assist Zac: John Paul Royals, Andrew Heim, Jacob Cornwell, Michael John Dauphinais, Mitch Marcello, Nicholas Ciavarra, Robert Gotschall.

MAKE-UP: Claire Kirsch in charge.  
Assistants: Michael Stewart and Alyssa Nuzzo and Teresa Timmis. 

COSTUMING: Claire Kirsch and Missy Brassie in charge.  
Assistants: Jenn Davidson, Sarah Landry, Brianna Edwards. 

PROMPTER: Allison Dawson.  
“On book” 

VOICE COACHES: Missy Brassie, Zac Harned, Sarah Kinnick, Andrew Olson.
*Voice coaches will work only by specific assignment of Dr. Curtright.

DRAMATURGY: Bailey Timmis and Sarah Kinnick.
Bailey: paraphrase, scan first half of script.
Sarah: identify figures of speech, scan second half of script.

PROPS: Bailey Timmis.

TICKETING, HOSTING, AND SEATING: Missy Brassie. 

MARKETING: Michael John Dauphinais in charge.  
Assistants: Jenn Davidson and Briana Edwards.

TALK BACKS COORDINATOR: Sarah Kinnick.  

SCHEDULING OUTSIDE OF CLASS REHEARSALS: Jenn Davidson and Andrew Olson.

Why would Sir Thomas More write a letter to Alice Alington under the name of Margaret More Roper? To answer this controversial question, I examine the political and familial circumstances of the letter’s composition, its artfully concealed designed of forensic oratory, and use of indirect argument. In the Alington letter, from More’s position as an imprisoned, former Chancellor of England, he revised civic humanism’s call for political engagement into a powerful statement of defiance against King Henry VIII. Read more, here.