Column by Executive Director Susan Scot Fry Greetings and Welcome to the 10th Anniversary of Shakespeare in the Park!
I confess, it’s hard to fathom that 2019 will mark the 10th anniversary of Shakespeare in the Park. How did that happen? About a month before the cheers from the final standing ovation for King Lear became whispers, we started putting together this very special milestone season. The wild and raucous ride that is The Comedy of Errors seems like just the right way to celebrate. Like any organization, there are regular tasks like budgets, balance sheets and board meetings. Specific to SITP19, we are or have already…
There’s so much more that happens in the baker’s dozen of months it takes to create Shakespeare in the Park for 3,500-4,000 people each summer. In newsletters to come, I’ll share more insights about what and how we’re doing. In the meantime, it’s not too early to gather your confetti, plan your picnic and get ready to party next summer! Optimistically, Susan Susan Fry is the Executive Director for Optimist Theatre. Contact her at ssfry@optimisttheatre.org. Most of the time, she works alone and talks to her dog. Your email would be a welcome human interaction! “We came into the world like brother and brother, And now let's go hand in hand, not one before another.” The Comedy of Errors, Act 5, sc 1 10 Questions with King Lear's Fool:  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. Suggestions for Getting the Most out of Your Shakesperience...1. Be actively and deliberately engaged .
2. Every Shakespeare production you ever see is a "cover."
3. Theater is different from TV and film.
4. Take it further and try something new.
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Also, we want you to have a good time with this, HOWEVER pictures of the cast are strictly prohibited (union rule). Bonus: we've created a fun little King Lear/SitP Facebook Frame for your profile picture. To join in the fun and show off how excited you are:
10 Questions with Malkia Stampley, Kat Wodtke and Jacque TroyDespite 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! First up: Jacque Troy 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! Next: Kat Wodtke 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! Finally, Malkia Stampley 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!"
And they ARE! And THEY have promised to challenge two MORE people (each!) when their own fundraisers are complete! If you think that's cool, you don't have to wait for the challenge to make its way to you! You can start your very own challenge chain! How? Easy! First (and especially) if your birthday is coming up soon, make a plan: decide how long you'd like to run your fundraiser (10-14 days seems manageable, but your mileage may vary), when you'd like to start it, what you'd like to say to your friends and family when you ask them to support Optimist Theatre (the entity registered with Facebook as a nonprofit; we do ask that you @ tag the Shakespeare in the Park page -- @ShaxParkMKE in your intro text). Then, go to town! The image below shows you how/where to get started. Promote your fundraiser while it's active. Think about a couple of your own friends with birthdays on the horizon who value free Shakespeare in Milwaukee. When your fundraiser ends, challenge them to do the same! Finally, bask in our gratitude. Our fans are the best fans, and it's projects like this that just prove it! Note: if you need help, contact us and we'll be happy to assist you.   As 2017 enters its final hours, it's appropriate to thank everyone who has turned Shakespeare in the Park from a dream into eight summers of funny, poignant, scary, tragic and triumphant theatre! The donations of hundreds of individuals and businesses and grantmakers, the assistance of dozens of partners, the work and talent of the actors and crews and staff -- and the willingness of all of you to go along for the ride...that's what made all of our milestones possible. None more so than those we passed this year. Enjoy this look back as we prepare to clear even higher hurdles in the year ahead:  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.  Stage Credits include: Chicago: A Christmas Carol-Goodman Theatre, For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Enuf (Steppenwolf). Recently, she appeared in the west coast premiere of her one-woman show My Case Is Altered: Tales of a 21st Century Roaring Girl. Regional credits include Black Pearl Sings (Kitchen Theatre Company/GEVA Theatre Center); Getting Out (Performance Network); Fences (Ann Arbor Civic Theatre); What Fresh Hell is This?… (Attic Theatre); Having Our Say (Lost Nation Theater); Pretty Fire and Yellowman (Kitchen Theatre); The Tempest (Milwaukee Shakespeare) and Richard III, The Merry Wives of Windsor, Knight of the Burning Pestle and King Lear (Illinois Shakespeare Festival). International credits include Slaughter City (Royal Shakespeare Company) and Damon and Pythias (Globe Theatre).
Recent (and favorite) directing credits include: A Midsummer Nights Dream: It’s a Bacchanal!, The Last Days of Judas Iscariot, True West, Dancing at Lughnasa, and Ladyish. She teaches acting and directs at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. |
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