Episode 502. Directing Richard III

Jessica Thebus directed Richard III for Chicago’s Gift Theatre in the spring of 2016, an amazing production that starred Michael Patrick Thornton (right) in the title role. Jessica talks about the impetus for directing this famously challenging play and reveals where the drama gets most focused, the secrets to fantastic fight choreography, comparisons Read more…

Episode 500! Playwright Ken Ludwig

Ken Ludwig (right) is the prolific American comic playwright responsible for such Tony- and Olivier-award winning shows as Lend Me a Tenor, Crazy For You, Moon Over Buffalo, Shakespeare In Hollywood, Baskerville, and almost two dozen more plays and musicals that have been produced in more than 30 countries in over 20 languages. For this special milestone episode, Ken talks about his work, his process, his new book How To Teach Your Children Shakespeare, future projects, the importance of being in touch with Twelfth Night, the difference between farce and muscular comedy, the contrast between prose and poetry, the power of comic engines, and the all-important value of romance. (Length 31:22)

A Hoot, a Palpable Hoot!

The world premiere of William Shakespeare's Long Lost First Play (abridged) opened April 23-24, 2016 at the Folger Shakespeare Library, and critics and audiences agree: Long Lost Shakes "...is an absolute, resolute, hoot, of a bawdy comedy of errors!" Broadway World "A breathlessly irreverent and Read more…

Episode 455. BackRoom Shakespeare Backstage

RSC Managing Partner Austin Tichenor performed with the Back Room Shakespeare Project in their production of The Merchant of Venice in July 2015 at the Radler Bar & Restaurant, and because his roles were relatively (thankfully) small, he roamed the backstage area interviewing actors and audience members about their preparation and expectations. Featuring an audio excerpt of the performance, similarities to tricksy hobbits, navigating the play’s racism and anti-semitism, finding the comedy, and the joys and terrors of performing in a riotous pit of bloodthirsty drunks. NOTE: BRSP co-founder Samuel Taylor (who coined the expression embroidered into a sampler by Kate Pitt) discusses the Project’s aims and philosophies in his book My Life With The Shakespeare Cult on RSC Podcast episode 437. (Length 23:57)

Episode 452. Beyond The Stage

Reed Martin, Austin Tichenor, and Notre Dame Shakespeare Festival workshop cast members Chad Yarish, Dan Saski, and Teddy Spencer discuss the development of the new script William Shakespeare’s Long Lost First Play (abridged) as part of NDSF’s “Beyond The Stage” series. Featuring questions from NDSF Artistic Director Grant Mudge and members of the audience, and discussion about the power of story, outrageous tales of audience participation, the challenges of working with two directors, the tricks of telling the truth and interacting with the public, inevitable comparisons, and the wonder of Shakespearean inspiration. (Length 22:18)

Busy Busy Fall!

In addition to our ongoing UK Tour of The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) , and our performances of The Complete History of Comedy (abridged) around the US, we're excited to make our debut in mainland China with performances of Shakespeare (abridged) at Read more…