The Shakespearience

Are you shakespearienced?

August 24 - 26
 

The Bard is always with us here at APT, but this year is different. His presence, whether as playwright, subject or character, is felt in more of our plays than ever. It's cause for celebration. And enlightenment.

So we're gathering preeminent Shakespeare scholars, a few or our own experts and some folks who are a little off the beaten path for a three-day must-experience for every Shakespeare lover in our crowd.

Your Shakespearience Admission Includes:

• A Friday night opening reception and keynote address
• Three Bard-centric sessions on Saturday morning before the APT performances begin
• And three more sessions on Sunday morning.

Just $40 (20% off with APT Insider Card).

Preliminary Event Information (Subject to change)

These presenters have been confirmed:

Heather Dubrow is a professor of English at Fordham University, and formerly was in the English Department at UW – Madison. She has written extensively about Shakespeare, and for The Shakespearience will be speaking about Shakespeare’s sonnets.

Jay Halio is Professor Emeritus of English at the University of Delaware. His books, essays and critical insights on Shakespeare are comprehensive and wide-ranging, from `No Clock in the Forest': Time in As You Like It to Anxiety in Othello. A Fulbright‑Hays Senior Lecturer in American and British Literature, Jay is also a current member of the Academic Council of the Globe Theatre Centre. Jay will be speaking about the elements of comedy and tragedy in Shakespeare's work for The Shakespearience.

Lois Potter is the Ned B. Allen Professor of English Emerita at the University of Delaware. Her work about Shakespeare has been widely published, and includes Twelfth Night: Text and Performance, Which Shakespeare? and Shakespeare in Performance. For The Shakespearience, Lois will be discussing Shakespeare's biography, and she will be participating in a panel discussion about Twelfth Night.

Curt L. Tofteland is the founder of the internationally acclaimed "Shakespeare Behind Bars", a program for inmates to perform the works of Shakespeare. His work was chronicled in the award-winning documentary, Shakespeare Behind Bars which premiered at the 2005 Sundance Film Festival. The film will be screened as part of The Shakespearience events, and Curt will delve further into the film and his work in prisons.

Susan Sweeney is the Head of Voice and Text at APT. Over the past 30 years, Susan has coached for the Oregon, Colorado, Illinois and Utah Shakespeare festivals, the Guthrie Theatre, Baltimore Center Stage, Milwaukee Repertory Theatre and Broadway’s Jujamcyn Theatres/Dodger Productions, among others. Since 2003, she has been a faculty member at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. For The Shakespearience, Susan will talk about her work as Voice and Text Coach here at APT.

David Frank is APT’s Producing Artistic Director. David joined APT as Artistic Director over 20 years ago and for the last six years has also served as Producing Director. David has spent most of his career heading professional theatre companies, including eleven years as Artistic Director of Studio Arena Theatre in New York and eight years as Producing Director of St. Louis Repertory Theater. For Shakespearience, David will discuss APT’s distinct approach to Shakespeare’s work.

The Shakespearience Agenda

Please note this is a draft agenda. Locations may be updated as we have more information about specific programming.

Friday, August 24
4:30 p.m. Kick-off Reception
Gathering Room, The House on the Rock Resort, 400 Springs Drive, Spring Green.

Light appetizers, cash bar and conversation with APT company members and our Shakespearience presenters.

5:15 pm. – 6:30 p.m. Welcome and Keynote Address
Robert Trent Jones Room, the House on the Rock Resort

We’ll wrap up in time for you to get a quick dinner on your own if you’re heading to the APT performances (curtain at 8:00 p.m.)

Saturday, August 25
10 – 11 Session 1
Touchstone Theatre, APT

11 – 11:15 Break
11:15– 12:15 Session 2
Touchstone Theatre, APT

12:15 – 12:30 Break
12:30 – 1:30 Session 3
Touchstone Theatre, APT

APT performances are at 3:00 and 8:00. Please purchase tickets separately.

Sunday, August 26
10– 11 Session 1
Touchstone Theatre, APT

11 – 11:15 Break

11:15-11:45 Session 2
Alpha Center Rehearsal Hall, APT

11:45 – 12:30 Session 3
Alpha Center Rehearsal Hall, APT

APT performances are at 1:00 and 6:00. Please purchase tickets separately.