Odes?

Hey guys! I'm getting ready to teach Antigone again (we're using a new textbook and I'm just wanting something new to do...) and I need a way to make the Odes exciting for my students. Anyone have any experience here? What ideas do you use in staging or teaching them? Either will help me immensely!

Thanks!

Suggestions?

I'm going to be in Greece for a bit this summer, and I don't want to miss any must-see-theater-stuff (since that's mostly my purpose for going there).

So, do any of you have suggestions for theater stuff to see (or not see) in Greece? I'll be on the mainland (Athens, mostly) for a few days, then island-hop my way towards Turkey. The islands aren't decided yet - it depends on what there is to see.

(And if any of you have suggestions for spending a day in Madrid and a week exploring Turkey, I'm listening!)

Life in Shakespeare Land Keeps Getting Weirder...

Hard to believe, but true: that's me over there far stage right, in the Lecture/Demonstration Shakespeare and the Language that Shaped a World. (can't call it a production or the two Equity actors would be in trouble.) We tour around to middle/high schools with this 45 minute show which combines irreverent facts about Shakespeare's life and times with scenes from a bunch of his plays. That picture is from last year--we have two different cast members with us this year, but I'm mostly playing the same characters. Kevin wrote the show many years ago, but yes- there are a few quick references to Julius Caesar and I often think of our NITS summer while I'm crouching in an uncomfortable position, waiting to cry "Havoc."

I don't think anyone from the area is still checking in here, but if you are, I invite you to come on down to our new theater on March 28th or April 4th at 2:00pm and watch the hi-jinks unfold. I'm also going to be in the children's show on the Rose Footprint this summer, so if anyone is making a pilgrimage to S&Co, please stop by and say Hi. My normal job involves teaching and directing students aged 9-19 in various programs for the S&Co education department--right now the high school kids are working on Troilus and Cressida and Henry the Sixth part 1, the middle schoolers are working on The Tempest, and the 4th and 5th graders are doing Romeo and Juliet. It can be dizzying to switch from play to play every day of the week, but I'm getting the hang of it. Of course, by the time I'm truly on top of the schedule the contract will end, and I'll have to start again with the summer programming.

So here's hoping you all are well (and the recent posts give many reasons to cheer) and enjoying your many projects. I'll be looking forward to hearing Trish's updates on how the new session of the NITS is going in July!

My Name is David, and I'm a White VW Convertible

Hi all,

Sending some love to those I love, yet haven't seen in toooooo long.

Was in NYC for a day and a half two weeks ago, and caught OTHELLO at Theatre for New Audiences, the one that the NY Times raved about.

It was well-earned praise, indeed. Still, two weeks later, it is sitting in the all-time position for Shakespeare (and, therefore, productions of Othello) I've seen. Tremendous performances - centered on the text. I was acutely aware of the text in a way that I have never been before, and that surprised me.

Anyway, I got back to Seattle to find a copy of an Othello DVD I'd ordered waiting for me. It is the Summer 2007 Globe Theatre production (starring Eamonn Walker). I watched it and was immediately struck by the audience which, much like the NY production, is all around the stage. In the same frame, you see the actors and - because of their proximity - close-ups of the audience members as well. It's jarring...and beautiful at the same time.

Anyway, I was chatting about it at Seattle Rep, and someone pointed out that Wilson Milam, who had directed the Globe production, was the current director of our production of The Seafarer...and that he was standing 10 feet away from me at the time!

As you've all spent time with me, you know where this is going: I cornered Wilson at the opening and got him to chat away about his choices, his research -- the whole ball of wax. It was awesome!!

Anyway...I'm about halfway through my film unit, heading towards Spring Break and then Othello! It's the second time I'll have taught it since we were together. I'm super excited to make it even BETTER this year.

And, soon, I will think of ALL of you ALL DAY LONG!

Me, my student and Shakespeare on NPR

Here is the NPR radio interview we did yesterday! Happy almost spring break to us all!