Things to Remember When You are Producing Shakespeare

Things to Remember When you are Producing Shakespeare


The words are beautiful, but don't forget to act.

Try to retain and highlight all the sexual puns.

Having a dramaturge is a really good idea.

Being a Shakespearean scholar doesn't necessarily make you a good actor. That being said, a good actor takes the time to study and understand the text.

Good diction is a requirement. Doing Shakespeare is an elocutionary workout.

Not everyone in your audience was an English or Theatre Major. This language is tough to keep up with so don't make it harder for your audience with too many distracting things.

It isn't our jobs to tell the audience what is good for them. It is our jobs to tell a great story.

Not all jokes stand the test of time. If there is a period reference, you gotta decide if you are going to stage it in a way the current audience understands or edit it out. And inside jokes never stand the test of time.

Physical/slapstick humor is really funny. So are goofy hats.

Never cut or mess up the famous lines.

Don't bother with half-a$$ed special effects. Do it well or don't do it at all. You don't get points for effort.


When producing Shakespeare, experiment, explore, fail, succeed, make friends, laugh, drink, eat, cry, dance, drink, be silly, party, drink, and never, never, never take yourself too seriously

Don't take yourself so seriously that you don't enjoy the process. If you aren't having a good time, neither will your audience. Good energy translates universally.

Shakespeare's works do not belong to any one company, any one producer, or one actor/director. His plays have and forever will belong to audiences who come out year after year. It is just our job to keep him alive.

Only cast nice people that work hard. Yeah, you can put a show up with a bunch of egotistical divas and parts of it may be good. But the difference between that and a cast full of people that genuinely LIKE each other...no, LOVE each other...is tremendous. You support each other. People aren't afraid to ask questions. Actors try new things and take risks. There is enough drama with these plays and no need to add more offstage.


Create an environment where everyone feels safe. Trust is key. This stuff is hard and can be daunting. There are big words. And swords. And sometimes snakes. If someone is afraid they are going to be mocked because they aren't sure how to pronounce a word or afraid they will be laughed at for not knowing a thee from a thou, then that person will be too afraid to commit to their roles or their scene partners. And, especially in the case of stage fighting, that can has disastrous consequences.

Momentum

This is pretty incredible! Shakespeare Carolina is almost at one thousand friends on Facebook. Less than ten more people to go!!

To celebrate, the one thousandth person will get a Shakespeare Carolina T-shirt.

Do not worry if you are not the lucky one-thousandth. You, too, can get a T-shirt. Go to our website (www.shakescar.org) and click the Support Us tab on the home page and learn how you can support us and get some cool swag.

Happy Birthday, Will!

Today is the observed day of Shakespeare's birth. I say observed because there are no actual records of his birthday. We have his baptism day as April 26, 1564 and so he was probably born around the same time based on the tradition of baptizing children within days of birth. Plus, Shakespeare died on April 23, 1616, so it seems fitting to make it is day of birth as well. Another interesting fact: April 23 is also Saint George's Day, the patron saint of England. Pretty cool, huh?

To celebrate dear William's birthday, we are having a birthday party at my house. Part birthday, part SEASON KICKOFF!! It's been a long, uphill road, but we are nearly done with casting and ready to start rehearsing. (A few people still need to confirm and then the Macbeth cast list will be up for all to see.) I am so, so excited to get the gang back together with some new folks as well!

So, if you haven't already, go out and get yourself something from the sweetmeat course and a mug of mead and toast one to Big Willy Shakes. Or you can be like us and have chocolate, cheesecake, champagne, and wine. Just remember: With mirth and laughter let old wrinkles come.

P.S: If you are hip to Facebook, you might also know it is Hug A Theater Geek Day. Come on, y'all, let's hug it out!

ON PRODUCING A SHOW By Iesha

We had a set back. It deals with fees and contracts and rentals and other uninteresting stuff, so I won't bore you with the messy details. Suffice it to say, Chris and I had to go back to the drawing board and think of new options, fast. I would be a liar to say I am not frustrated. After weeks of coming up with a viable plan, we seem to have to start all over again. We are like racehorses freaking out, impatiently waiting for the gate to open and trying not to damage ourselves in the frustration.
It is hard to be in charge. I wanted to quit more than once. But I won't. No, I am not some sort of glutton for punishment. I won't quit because I know there are a lot of people counting on us. After fielding countless phone calls over the past two days, I was reminded yet again, this theater company is pretty special. We actually care about each other and about what we are doing. Not to say other companies don't; it is just different. And it is pretty rare. I know, I've worked with a lot of companies. Most were great and I have met fabulous people. But sometimes, if you are lucky, you come across a group that you feel like you are helping to build. That you are a PART of something. I had it in college. A small black-box theater in New Jersey that changed my life. It created important coming-of-age experiences and connections that feel just as stronge today. (Not to mention the REALLY good stories that you would only understand if you were there!) I used to believe it was simply the energy of college that made it happen, but since I definitely do not have the same youthful vigor as I did back in college, I understand it was more than that. It was because we owned it. It was ours. Each of us played a part in building something which, in turn, affected others. And being a part of something is sacred. It is what we all search for, in some way, shape or form. We all want to be a part of synergy where the sum is greater than each individual part.
For other arts groups out there reading this, I am not sure how to coach you on making that happen. It has to do a great deal with caring about the people, not only the art. I know I can have lunch/coffee/dinner with just about anyone in our company, just to catch up, even in between plays. It is the difference between "show friends" and "real friends". Show friends go into hibernation when the run is over. Real friends are, well, friends. The people you get excited to work with again, but you see them in between. And you miss them terribly when you don't.
A defining moment for me personally in Shakes Car was my baby shower. My fellow cast members conspired with my husband to surprise me with a theater baby shower. It is hard to surprise me, since I am so darn nosey, but they pulled it off. It really touched me that my crazy group of theater pirates took the time to celebrate my impending motherhood and to be joyful of my joy. And they've loved on my two little munchkins ever since.
So, producing a season is quite stressful, because I don't want to let these folks down. These people are my friends and we love working together. While going out for drinks or to a party is fun, too, the best part is creating the art. We are a team. we are all on this pirate ship together.
If you want to help please go to www.shakescar.org and join the tribe. Or leave a comment, because we could use the support!
Love & Havoc-Iesha

Monday Morning

Ok.. So its Monday.
Iesha and I have a week of meetings... Hopefully by Thursday we should have a lock on where we are performing this season! I know that sounds a little vague, but if this works out expect a very exciting announcement!

5 Reasons to contribute to Shakespeare Carolina

1. We are the region’s only company dedicated to the work of William Shakespeare.
2. We are a true grass roots company founded by artists for artists.
3. When you give to the arts you promote economic growth, enrich the quality of life in our community, and, of course, have the opportunity to enjoy the highest-level of arts available.
4. Nonprofit organizations such as Shakespeare Carolina need strong financial support to continue providing an outlet for artistic endeavors in The Metrolina Region. It is a constant struggle to keep an arts organization alive in these days of reduced arts funding.
5. Every penny of every donation goes directly towards our productions, enhancing the theatrical experience for audience and cast members, alike.

New Stuff

Hi Folks This is the new Shakesblog... a place to get details on what we are doing...
Stay tuned for rehearsal journals, our photos and other amazing bits of Shakesmedia... exclusive Shakesvid and other treats!