ShakeShorts ShortShakes 2012
The goal of this production was to “shake up” the traditional conceptions of Shakespeare’s performance by means of short one-acts. With multiple directors, various styles, and unique ideas, this production was composed of short 15-minute scenes that experiment with Shakespeare’s plays. Each director worked with an over-arching theme of deception to act as a source of inspiration to draw out new visions.
By viewing Shakespeare in this way, directors and actors have an opportunity to challenge and deviate from the norm. By focusing on a section of a play rather than a complete play or one-act, the production aimed to do more with less.
ShakeShorts ShortShakes 2012 was under the artistic director of Kyle Radler (CC ‘13) and adapted scenes from Julius Caesar, Venus & Adonis, Hamlet, Taming of the Shrew, and Henry VIII, and took place in the Lerner Black Box October 25th-27th.
PRODUCTION TEAM
Artistic Director: Kyle Radler
Co-Producers: Alexandra Ley & Victoria Musselman
Technical Director & Lighting Designer: Anuradha Golder
Props Designer: Michelle Phillips
Costume Designers: Tara Pacheco & Rachel Sherman-Presser
Sound Designer: Eric Wimer
Set Designer: Robert Colgan
Set Assistant: Brett Berger
Julius Caesar
Directed by Maitreyi Choksi, in this version Caesar himself (played by Percy Stubbs) plans his own assisination in order to avoid the plague of a mundane death. According to Bwog, “The conspiracy upon conspiracy, coupled with Percy’s (Caesar) whisper of “Et tu, Brute?” and Chloe’s (Marc Antony) passionate rendition of the “Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears” speech, made for a Hitchcockian thriller.”
CAST
Julius Caesar: Percy Stubbs
Cassius: Taha Wiheba
Marc Antony: Chloe Durkin
Calphurnia: Anya Josephs
Brutus: Rachel Chung
Henry VIII
Director Jim Pagels decided that in adapting the obscure history for the modern moment, the hero of this story was not Henry VIII, but PrezBo VIII, who was oblivious to the treachery taking place leading up to the annual Fun Run. “Jim Pagels’ version of Henry VIII kept Wolsey’s devious side in framing Buckingham for treason and eventually claiming the Fun Run championship for himself. Pagels thus brilliantly morphed a 17th century tale into one tailored just for Columbia” (Bwog).
CAST
Prezbo VIII: Taha Wiheba
Wolsey: Jonathan Gutterman
Buckingham: Percy Stubbs
Katherine: Chloe Durkin
Secretary: Emily Sorenson
Taming of the Shrew
Directed by Alex Dabertin, in this version of Taming of the Shrew it is Petruchio who needs taming and Kate (Katherina) who takes on the role of the tamer. According to Bwog, this shrew had a little bit of a kinky streak, but we’ll let you read that for yourselves.
CAST
Petruchio: Jonathan Gutterman
Kate: Emi Lirman
Bianca: Kristyn Brundidge
Hortensio: Percy Stubbs
Baptsita: Stephan Adamow
Hamlet
Directed by Sonalee Rau, Hamlet, now a reality cooking show contestant, vied against Horatio, Laertes, and Osric for the title of top chef. In a heated competition filled with chicken plucking and hot sauce subterfuge, Gertrude and Claudius managed to sample some of the hot sauce that was destined for sabotage (summary provided by Bwog).
CAST
Hamlet: Kristyn Brundidge
Horatio: Emily Sorenson
Laertes: Rachel Chung
Osric: Anya Josephs
Claudius: Stephan Adamow
Gertrude: Katie Craddock
Venus and Adonis
Directed by Hannah Ceja and Alex Katz, this adaptation of Venus and Adonis was set in a park in modern New York city, and portrays Venus’ stubborn lust for Adonis. Bwog says that “with many double entendres and Snow White-esque unconsciousness (just for a kiss!), [the directors] added a humorous twist to a classic unrequited love tale.”
CAST
Venus: Katie Craddock
Adonis: Stephan Adamow