The rest of the company received the benefit of Lisa’s movement focus when we spent a day working on a method known as the Laban Efforts, a technique and language for describing, visualizing, interpreting and documenting human movement. That may all sound a bit esoteric, but the exercises focus on moving with different purposes: to intimidate or to plead, to please or to frighten.

Set to music, we experimented with this type of purposeful movement in the context of our set, to learn from the interactions that developed organically.

This exercise was incredibly informative for harnessing non-verbal power, a skill that the Knights often had to call upon. Incorporated into the production, I would constantly scan above the audience, alert for any sign of danger to Lear. Libby and I developed nonverbal conversations to express our concerns and plans of action, as we were unable to do so in the King’s presence. This connection made us a team, and strengthened our character work. 

Armed with these skills, I finally received the mark of a true knight: my sword. As soon as I put it on, it affected my posture and presence. Though it’s edges were dull, this very real sword became a physical expression of a knight’s power. My arms no longer rested at my sides; hands placed upon the hilt, I stepped away from myself and into my character. 

This journey exemplified a principal of acting we are always taught: all roles are important. Along with learning text, I was tasked with growing my understanding of physicality, connection and nonverbal expression. There was always work to be done, power to be harnessed. Lisa and the team at SitP made a point to focus on my growth and development, as they did with all of us. My watch may have ended for King Lear, but a Knight’s work is never truly finished. ​

Danielle is an Actor/Educator/Director based in Milwaukee with a Master of Arts in Theater from Kansas State University. In addition to her Shakespeare in the Park debut in King Lear, she has recently worked with Renaissance Theaterworks, Kohl's Wild Theater, Cooperative Performance and Bard and Bourbon.

When not performing, Danielle is a Teaching Artist with First Stage's Education Department and Academy.

What brought you to theater and to Shakespeare?

​When I was a young boy I loved to sing. As a teenager in the mid-'50s, I began studying voice with a vocal coach in downtown Chicago. He produced scaled down Broadway Musicals on the weekends. I hadn’t been there three weeks when he threw me into the chorus of GUYS AND DOLLS, and from that moment on I knew I wanted to pursue a life in the theater.

After appearing in several Broadway and Off-Broadway shows, I started working in regional theaters throughout the country. In the mid-'70s, as a resident actor at The Loretto-Hilton Repertory Theatre (now St. Louis Repertory), I was cast as Puck in A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM and Malcolm in MACBETH. In spite of no formal classical training, much to my surprise, I took to those two roles with great elan. I was hooked.
 
Fast forward to the summer of 1993, when I stepped onto the stage as Shylock in THE MERCHANT OF VENICE at American Players Theatre in Spring Green, and remained there as a core company member for fourteen seasons. I also worked at Milwaukee Shakespeare. In all, I have appeared in 23 of The Bard’s 37 plays.

  
What did 10-year-old you think you’d be when you “grew up?”

The next Frank Sinatra!


What do you think is the greatest challenge of portraying the Fool?

Given all his riddling, rhyming and cryptic language, my greatest challenge was that he be understandable, accessible…And maybe a little bit funny.


What do you hope the audience took away from King Lear?

I wouldn’t presume to know what any audience may take away from any performance, since it’s such a subjective experience. That being said, given the vast scope of this great play that not only deals with greed, cruelty, deception, family dysfunction and death, as well as, love, devotion, loyalty, and a sense of duty and honor, I hope people came away with a deeper understanding of what it is to be human.

​
What Shakespeare character do you most resemble?

Old Gremio in THE TAMING OF THE SHREW, except for all his money.


Besides Shakespeare, with what person, living or dead, would you most love to have a drink and a chat? (And, what’s the drink?)

Michelle Obama, and I’d be sipping slowly on a double Tullamore Dew on the rocks.


What’s your superpower?

I have no superpower.  Unless we’re talking about my superior intellect, breathtakingly good looks, extraordinary acting talent, hysterical sense of humor and my Mother Teresa saintliness. And if you believe any of the above, “I have a bridge in Brooklyn, I’d like to sell you!”


Tragedy, comedy or history?

It depends on what I’m working on. This summer, it was TRAGEDY.


Truth or dare?

Just like the Fool -- truth!

​
Guilty pleasure(s)?

Dark chocolate, the darker the better.

Despite the intense rehearsal and production schedule of the last weeks, we were able to get a few minutes with this incredible trio of actors for the return of 10 Questions!

What brought you to theater and to Shakespeare?
I moved a lot when I was growing up. Prior to 9th grade, I made ONE friend, who was interested in theater. So, I took my first acting class to be with her. As luck would have it, the teacher, Mr. Naab, was an extraordinarily generous man and encouraged me beyond the walls of the classroom.  

What did 10-year-old you think you’d be when you “grew up?”
I thought I was going to be a writer....thanks to another very encouraging teacher. 

What do you think is the greatest challenge of portraying Goneril?
To help the audience see her humanity.

What do you hope the audience will take away from King Lear?
I hope, as it does for me, that the story both fills and breaks their hearts.  

What Shakespeare character do you most resemble?
It depends on the day!

Besides Shakespeare, with what person, living or dead, would you most love to have a drink and a chat? (And, what’s the drink?)
Eric Berry, safety for the KC Chiefs, on game day.  Gatorade, of course!

What’s your superpower?
Teaching.

Tragedy, comedy or history?
Tragedy.

Truth or dare?
Dare!

Guilty pleasure(s)?
Young Adult novels and bowling!

What brought you to theater and to Shakespeare?
I'm pretty sure the first play I ever saw was To Kill a Mockingbird at First Stage in the early '90s. I performed in an all-female King Lear at the University of Minnesota in 2009, which was my first crack at the Bard. I played Edgar. 

What did 10-year-old you think you’d be when you “grew up?”
An archaeologist.

What do you think is the greatest challenge of portraying Regan?
Going to a place of deep abandonment and profound cruelty.

What do you hope the audience will take away from King Lear?
A desire to see more live theater, and to take in all that Milwaukee's arts community has to offer.

What Shakespeare character do you most resemble?
Rosalind from As You Like It. 

Besides Shakespeare, with what person, living or dead, would you most love to have a drink and a chat? (And, what’s the drink?)
I would like to share a Coca Cola with Paul Newman!

What’s your superpower?
Juggling many creative projects at the same time.

Tragedy, comedy or history?
I love the haunting comedies that are also tragic (Measure for Measure, As You Like It, Twelfth Night, Two Gents, Merchant of Venice). Some of them are called "problem plays" because they are too complicated to fit into our tidy categories. The characters are interesting and complex, and their decisions leave us unsettled.

Truth or dare?
Both!

Guilty pleasure(s)?
I am not at all guilty about my affinity for fancy cheese, donuts, brats, naps and cheap rosé!

What brought you to theater and to Shakespeare?
My mom loved watching old TV musicals and I grew up watching my older brother in musicals. I also sang a lot in choirs and small groups around town, so the desire to perform came naturally. Acting in high school was my way of doing something different from the music performing I knew. 

What did 10-year-old you think you’d be when you “grew up?”
I remember not knowing what I wanted when I was ten and was so frustrated that I couldn't figure it out. I guess I should have gotten a clue from all the pretend soap opera scenes I played out by myself in my room!

What do you think is the greatest challenge of portraying Cordelia?
The greatest challenge of playing Cordelia is making sure she is a fully realized human being. It is easy to think of her as such a fierce, strong, warrior type. She is definitely all of that, but she is also a daddy's girl, hurt and devastated. Her strength is what pushes her to not give up on her father or his legacy. I hope the audience can see that struggle of vulnerability through determination.

What do you hope the audience will take away from King Lear?
Lear is such a classic and I am so excited to be a part of this production! The story of a fallen or misguided leader and the importance of having the right people around you to be willing to say "no" is a lesson we desperately need today, but I hope the Milwaukee audience realizes the importance of Optimist Theatre and Shakespeare in the Park. Each year, the production level has risen, more people come, the Actor Union contracts increase, there is a Chicago director this year, so many things...and it is still free to all who can get to the Peck Pavilion. A theater dedicated to serving the community needs to be celebrated. I hope that new faces come to the theater and make this part of their Milwaukee summer traditions!

What Shakespeare character do you most resemble?
Cleopatra.

Besides Shakespeare, with what person, living or dead, would you most love to have a drink and a chat? (And, what’s the drink?)
Wow! There are so many, but I would love to sit and chat with Maya Angelou. She was beyond her time and lived her life to the fullest despite her tremendous obstacles, and she EXCELLED. Her personal story, her writing, her philosophy on life, she is the very essence of royalty. We'd be drinking a cool glass of fresh lemonade infused with mint and sliced cucumbers topped with basil, oregano and a hint of salt! 

What’s your superpower?
Keeping a mental calendar...for everyone in my family!

Tragedy, comedy or history?
Tragedy.

Truth or dare?
Truth!

Guilty pleasure(s)?
Splitting a pint of Luna and Larry's Salted Caramel Coconut Ice Cream with my husband while watching episodes of "A Different World!"

We could not be more pleased to introduce you to Lisa Gaye Dixon, who will be directing King Lear for SitP 2018!

As we teased a couple of weeks ago, Lisa is currently performing in Chicago, at the Goodman Theatre's A Christmas Carol as the Ghost of Christmas Present. We'll catch up with her soon after that's complete in order to bring you some of her thoughts about Lear.

In the meanwhile, her biography will, no doubt, amaze you as much as it did us:

Lisa Gaye Dixon is an Associate Professor in Theatre, and has worked professionally across the country and around the globe. She began her professional career with the Steppenwolf Theatre Company in Chicago, and has been seen on the stages of the Royal Shakespeare Company and the New Globe Theatre in London, and regionally at the Attic Theatre (Detroit), Milwaukee Shakespeare, Ann Arbor civic Theatre and the Illinois Shakespeare Festival.

Film work includes: The Trouble with Men and Women (BBC/IFC), USING: The Movie, and the award-winning independent film Leading Ladies, where she was also a professional acting coach.  

We are also very proud to announce that we've "upgraded" our category with Actors' Equity Association which will enable us, beginning in 2019, to have performances with us counted for "points" by actors in the Equity Membership Candidate program. This represents an opportunity for us to become an even more active participant in the career growth of young actors in the area -- and one more of the theaters working to help actors stay in the area to pursue their craft. Part of our commitment to the greater Milwaukee/southeastern Wisconsin community has always been to hire local actors and this will be one more way that we meet that commitment.

Finally, we'll be introducing you to our King Lear Director VERY SOON! 
Your hint(s) are that she is currently in the midst of performing in a show in Chicago! We'll want her to have a few minutes to give you some of her thoughts about bringing this show to life, so stay tuned for all of that information in the next few weeks!