kids encyclopedia robot

Notre Dame Shakespeare Festival facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

The Notre Dame Shakespeare Festival (formerly Summer Shakespeare) at the University of Notre Dame is an annual festival that seeks to combine professional productions of the works of William Shakespeare with community engagement and educational programs. The Notre Dame Shakespeare Festival is a part of the University of Notre Dame's Shakespeare initiative entitled "Shakespeare at Notre Dame", a program that recognizes the centrality of the study of Shakespeare in humanistic pedagogy at the University. Its fifteenth season (summer of 2014) was known as the 15/150, also celebrating the 450th birthday of William Shakespeare, and the 150th anniversary of the first full production of Shakespeare at the university in 1864 (Records indicate the first performance of Shakespeare at the University of Notre Dame took place in 1847, a collection of scenes also from Henry IV). The anniversary season consisted of the Professional Company production of Henry IV (directed by Michael Goldberg), the Young Company performance of The Merry Wives of Windsor (directed by West Hyler), and the annual ShakeScenes shows featuring actors of all ages from South Bend and the surrounding community.

History

The Notre Dame Shakespeare Festival, (the professional theatre in residence at the University of Notre Dame), is a direct outgrowth of an experimental course called "Shakespeare in Performance" created in 1989 by Dr. Paul Rathburn, NDSF's founder. The premise of this course was that Shakespeare's works are both theatrical scripts and literary texts and are illuminated best through work in both the theater and in the classroom. It began in the summer of 2000 with the program's inaugural production, The Taming of the Shrew, but has since evolved to include guest artists and productions, the ShakeScenes community program, and a Young Company production produced and staffed entirely by Notre Dame and Saint Mary's students. Following the 2005 production of Henry V, Dr. Paul Rathburn retired from his role as Producing Artistic Director. The company's Artistic Director from 2006 - 2012 was Jay Paul Skelton. The current Ryan Producing Artistic Director for the Notre Dame Shakespeare Festival is Grant Mudge. The resident lighting designer for the festival since its inception has been ND Associate Professor Kevin Dreyer.

The Professional Company Production

Arguably the centerpiece of the annual festival, the professional company production consists of a professionally mounted performance of one of the plays of William Shakespeare. The production is always directed and designed by theatrical professionals, typically from either the Chicago theatre world or the University's own faculty and staff. A number of professional actors are also employed, as well as Notre Dame and Saint Mary's students and South Bend community members.

The Young Company

Beginning with 2003's production, the student actors and technicians in the professional company production were given the chance to perform in a production produced entirely by them (though directed by a senior company member). The roles in the Young Company performance are necessarily larger both on and offstage - the professional company's Assistant to the Technical Director may become the Young Company Technical Director, while a student playing First Soldier may have a chance to play King Richard III. Although in the past Young Company performances have taken place on the same set used for the professional company performance, 2006 saw the introduction of "green shows", performances in which Young Company members traveled to local parks in South Bend and the surrounding community.

Past Young Company Productions

Shakespeare on Love, adapted by R. John Roberts, 2003

Shakespeare on Comedy: A Vaudeville, adapted by R. John Roberts, 2004

Falstaff's Dream, adapted by Susan Hart, 2005 (directed by Susan Hart)

The Brothers Menaechmus, by Plautus, translated by Richard Pryor with further adaptation by Jay Paul Skelton, 2006, (directed by Jay Paul Skelton)

The Learned Ladies, by Molière, directed by Kevin Asselin, 2007

The Witch, by Thomas Middleton, directed by Kevin Asselin, 2008

The Deceived or Gl'ingannati, by Accademia degli Intronati of Siena (translation by Ken Rea), directed by Kevin Asselin, 2009

The Taming of the Shrew, by William Shakespeare, directed by Kevin Asselin, 2010

As You Like It, by William Shakespeare, directed by Kevin Asselin, 2011

A Midsummer Night's Dream, by William Shakespeare, directed by Kevin Asselin, 2012

The Comedy of Errors, by William Shakespeare, directed by Kevin Asselin, 2013

ShakeScenes

ShakeScenes is NDSF's community outreach program, employing local theatre troupes and schools to perform selected scenes from Shakespeare's works. The coordinating director for ShakeScenes from its inception until 2012 was Deborah Girasek-Chudzynski of South Bend's Stanley Clark School. In 2012, the baton was passed to Christy Burgess, the Shakespeare Outreach Program Director at Notre Dame's Robinson Community Learning Center. Participants range in age from 7 to 70, and scene directors are usually educators from local grade schools, high schools, colleges, and directors of area civic theatres. These individuals cast and direct their respective scenes as well as facilitate costumes, props, and choreography. All members of the ShakeScenes company attend acting workshops taught by local and national theatre artists.

Production history

Notre Dame Shakespeare Festival Productions
Season Company Performance Title Performance Dates Cast Crew Location
2000 Professional Company The Taming of the Shrew August 2000 * R. John Roberts: Baptista Minola

* Hollis McCarthy: Katherina

Beth Gervain: Bianca

* Thom Van Ermen: Petruchio

* Mark McCarthy: Grumio

* Frederic Stone: Gremio

Christopher Beely: Hortensio/Officer

Todd Dvorak: Lucentio

Mike Kersey: Tranio

John Area: Biondello

Melissa Fosse-Dunne: Curtis

* Scott Stambach: Pedant/Sugarsop

Jenifer Rinner: Margary/Flower Seller

Chris Sinnott: Nicholas/Waiter/Townsperson

Lisa Marie Fabrega: Tailor/Waiter

Liz Cenova: Joan/Servant

Jerry Kline: Vincentio

Stephanie Bickle: Widow

Director: Katherine Coulson Notre Dame, IN
2000 Guest Performances Will and I August 2000 Michael York Notre Dame, IN
2001 Professional Company Much Ado About Nothing Director: Katherine Coulson Notre Dame, IN
2001 Guest Performances The Lunatic, the Lover, and the Poet (by Brian Bedford) Brian Bedford Notre Dame, IN
2001 Guest Performances All the World's a Stage Brian Bedford and Claire Bloom Notre Dame, IN
2002 Professional Company The Tempest July 23–28, 2002 Molly Malone Beeler: Spirit / Nymph

Thomas Conner: Adrian / Mariner / Reaper

Kerry Cotter: Ship Master

*Matthew Quentin Fahey: Sebastian

*Roger Forbes: Prospero

Beth Gervain: Ceres / Spirit

Matthew Holmes: Francisco / Mariner / Reaper

*Richard Edward Long: Alonso

*Hollis McCarthy: Iris

*Mark McCarthy: Boatswain

*Kathleen J. McClaine: Ariel

*Suzanne Mignanelli: Miranda

*Jim Mohr: Gonzalo

*Matthew Penn: Antonio

Drew Rausch: Ferdinand

*R. John Roberts: Stephano

*Robert Rutland: Trinculo

Bethany Tovey: Spirit / Nymph

Kat Walsh: Juno / Spirit

*Martin Yurek: Caliban

Director: Gavin Cameron-Webb Notre Dame, IN
2002 Guest Performances Ah, Wilderness! Guthrie Theatre Notre Dame, IN
2003 Professional Company A Midsummer Night's Dream July 23-August 2, 2003 Elizabeth Bracken: Cobweb

Novella Brooks-DeVita: First Fairy

*McKinley Carter: Helena

Thomas A. Conner: Francis Flute

Terry Dawson: Egeus

Jason Denuszek: Puck

Mike Dolson: Robin Starveling

Christine Flint: Fairy

Elizabeth Grams: Peaseblossom

*Susan Hart: Titania / Hippolyta

Stephen Hoeplinger: Philostrate

Mike Kersey: Demetrius

Anhmarie Marshall: Moth

T.J. McNally: Tom Snout

Liz Melly: Mustardseed

*Bradley Mott: Nick Bottom

*Drew Rausch: Lysander

* R. John Roberts: Peter Quince

Megan E. Ryan: Hermia

Justin Williams: Snug

*Martin Yurek: Oberon / Theseus

Notre Dame, IN
2003 Student Company Selected Scenes Notre Dame, IN
2003 Guest Performances The Stuff of Dreams Guthrie Theatre Notre Dame, IN
2004 Professional Company Romeo and Juliet July 21-August 1, 2004 Kevin Asselin: Tybalt

Susan Baxter: Lady Montague

Kerry Cotter: Lord Montague

*Jason Denuszek: Benvolio

Mike Dolson: Balthasar / Friar John

Mike Federico: Paris

*Maureen Gallagher: Nurse

Adel Hanash: Abram

*Susan Hart: Lady Capulet

Katharine Kertez: Dancing Lady

*Elizabeth Ledo: Juliet

*John Lister: Lord Capulet

T.J. McNally: Sampson

Greg Melton: Prince Escalus

*R. John Roberts: Friar Lawrence

*Matt Schwader: Romeo

Meghann Tabor: Dancing Lady

David Tull: Gregory

Justin Williams: Peter

*Martin Yurek: Mercutio

Notre Dame, IN
2004 Student Company An Evening With Shakespeare July 24, 2004 Notre Dame, IN
2004 Young Company ShakeScenes July 17 & 18, 2004 South Bend Civic Theatre Youth (directed by Dana Vagg)

South Bend Civic Theatre (directed by Judy Spigle)

Clay High School (directed by Michelle Walters)

Trinity School @ Greenlawn (dir: John Kurdelak)

Mishawaka High School (dir: Ashley Bennett)

John Adams High School (dir: Kerry Cotter)

Culver Academies (dir: Richard Coven)

Elkhart Central High School (dir: Alison Cordell)

Elkhart Civic Theatre Youth (dir: Heather O'Connor Schoenherr)

Stanley Clark School (dir: Deborah Girasek-Chudzynski)

Bethel College (dir: Brock Fisher)

Notre Dame, IN
2004 Student Company Shakespeare on Comedy: A Vaudeville July 27, 2004 Notre Dame, IN
2004 Guest Performances Othello February 26–29, 2004 Guthrie Theatre Notre Dame, IN
2005 Professional Company Henry V August 9–28, 2005 Steve Haggard: Falstaff's Boy

*Matt Schwader: King Henry V

*Robert Scogin: Duke of Exeter

James Dolson: Duke of Gloucester / Lord Scroop / Alexander Court

Brandon McGirr: Duke of Bedford

Dan Kenney: Duke of York / Gower

Greg Melton: Earl of Westmoreland / Jamy / Duke of Bourbon

*John Lister: Archbishop of Canterbury / Pistol

*Bradley Mott: Bishop of Ely / Sir John Falstaff / Charles VI

*Sean Allan Krill: Earl of Cambridge / Lewis

*Kevin Asselin: Sir Thomas Grey / Charles Delabreth

Kerry Cotter: Sir Thomas Erpingham / Bardolph

*Martin Yurek: Fluellen

Ted Manier: Macmorris / Nym

Ceschino Brooks de Vita: John Bates / Monsieur Le Fer

Joseph Garlock: Michael Williams / Duke of Berri

Molly Topper: Baggage Boy / Isabel

*Susan Hart: Mistress Quickly / Alice

David Tull: Duke of Orleans

Cricket Slattery: Katherine

T.J. McNally: Montjoy

Director: William Brown Notre Dame, IN
2005 Young Company ShakeScenes August 6 & 7, 2005 Trinity School @ Greenlawn (directed by John Kurdelak)

Stanley Clark School Summer Camp (directed by Elyse Chudzynski)

Stanley Clark School (Deborah Girasek-Chudzynski)

LaSalle Academy Shakespeare Club (dir: Marianne West & Cathy Welsh-Payne)

John Adams High School (dir: Kerry Cotter)

Troupe Du Jour (dir: Michelle Walters)

Bethel College (dir: Brock Fisher)

John Adams High School Alumni (dir: Douglas Lavanture)

The Players (dir: Dana Vagg)

South Bend Civic Theatre, Shakespeare Players (dir: Dana Vagg)

Elkhart Civic Theatre Youth (dir: Heather O'Connor Schoenherr & Margo Brenner)

Elkhard Central High School (dir: Alison Glenn)

South Bend Civic Theatre (dir: Judy Spigle)

Coordinator: Deborah Girasek-Chudzynski Notre Dame, IN
2005 Student Company Falstaff's Dream August 22 & 23, 2005 *Bradley Mott: Sir John Falstaff

T.J. McNally: King Henry IV / Hastings

James Dolson: Prince Hal

Ceschino Brooks de Vita: Westmoreland / Douglas / Lord Chief-Justice

David Tull: Worchester / Prince John / Morton

Brandon McGirr: Northumberland / Blunt / York

Crickey Slattery: Vernon / Rumour / Mistress Quickly

Joseph Garlock: Hotspur / Pistol / Colevile

Molly Topper: Lady Percy / Doll Tearsheet

Director: Susan Hart Notre Dame, IN
2006 Professional Company The Comedy of Errors August 15–27, 2006 Victoria Abram-Copenhaver: Nun / Messenger

*Kevin Asselin: Antipholus of Syracuse

Joseph Garlock: Antipholus of Ephesus / Headsman

Steve Haggard: Dromio of Syracuse

Conor Woods: Dromio of Ephesus / Soldier

*Elizabeth Ledo: Adriana

Angela Aiea Sauer: Luciana

Greg Melton: Solinus / Doctor Pinch

*John Lister: Egeon

*Maureen Gallagher: Abbess / Old Blind Woman

*La Shawn Banks: Balthasar

*Matthew Brumlow: Angelo

Luke Cieslewicz: First Merchant

Kerry Cotter: Second Merchant

Kevin McCarthy: Officer

Daniel Boughton: Soldier / Jailor

Jennifer Betancourt: Courtesette

Tashi Thomas: Courtesette

Andrew Roth: Eunuch

Director: William Brown Notre Dame, IN
2006 Young Company The Brothers Menaechmus July 16-August 12, 2006 Tashi Thomas: Prologa

Victoria Abram-Copenhaver: Peniculus

Joseph Garlock: Menaechmus I

Angela Aiea Sauer: Erotium

Margaret Robenalt: Cylindra

Patrick Vassel: Menaechmus II

Conor Woods: Messenio

Jennifer Betancourt: Matrona

Anna Mary Brenna: Ancilla

Luke Cielewicz: Senex

Kevin McCarthy: Medicus

Andrew Roth: Decio

Jacob Imm: Dulcio

Cameron Rains: Ruffiano

Director: Jay Paul Skelton St Patrick's Park, South Bend, IN

Battell Park, Mishawaka, IN

Dewey Cannon Park, Three Oaks, MI

McNaughton Park, Elkhart, IN

DeBartolo Performing Arts Center Quad, Notre Dame, IN

kids search engine
Notre Dame Shakespeare Festival Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.