Kaitlin Carmanico is a recent McGill graduate, having completed a Bachelor of Arts in philosophy and English with a specialization in Drama and Theatre. She is currently pursuing her studies in musical theatre at Randolph Academy for the Performing Arts. An Ottawa native, Kaitlin has been involved in both French and English theatre productions in her hometown, as well as several productions in Montreal, performing with The Arts Undergraduate Theatre Society, McGill Players Theatre, Savoy Society and Hillel Montreal. She is passionate about arts and culture and is a firm believer and advocate of learning and education through the arts. Outside of the theatre world, Kaitlin’s favourite hobbies include skiing, creative writing, traveling (most recently throughout Southeast Asia) and reading in coffee shops. Kaitlin is thrilled to be joining the Shakespeare in Action team as a new Administrative Intern!
Shakespeare in Action is looking for a volunteer Assistant Stage Manager to help bring to life A Midsummer Night’s Dream as part of the 5th annual Shakespeare Challenge fundraiser. The Shakespeare Challengeis a fundraising event that will raise funds for Shakespeare in Action’s educational programming, serving thousands of at-risk youth across Toronto.
The Challenge will feature up to 14 community members coming together to unleash their inner thespian under the direction of Shakespeare in Action’s renowned Artistic Director Michael Kelly. Our Challenge Champions will rehearse and perform an abridged version of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. In a race against time, these brave souls will rehearse one night a week for eight weeks to prepare and present this memorable production. That’s the Shakespeare Challenge!
The Assistant Stage Manager will be responsible for:
Helping supervise rehearsals
Provide cues and prompts to actors during rehearsals
Organizing and maintain rehearsal space
Liaising with Shakespeare in Action office staff regularly throughout the duration of the rehearsals
Assist with backstage business during performance
Assist with the building and collecting of props, costumes, and set
Must be available for the following dates and times:
6PM -9:30PM on March 1, 15, 22, 29, 2016
2PM- 8pm March 20
The dress rehearsal on March 30, 2016 and final performance on March 31, 2016 from 2:30PM- 11:30PM (Exact call time TBD)
If you are interested in applying for this position, please send a resume and cover letter to info@shakespeareinaction.org. Cover Letters can be addressed to Michael Kelly, Artistic Director.
We are currently in the middle of celebrating Black History Month, and all of the important contributions that black men and women have made to the world. We wanted to share with you a list of some of our favourite actors who have tackled Shakespeare over the years. Here are just a few of the actors that we admire (we know this list could be much longer, so please share your favourites with us!)
Ira Aldridge
Ira Aldridge was an American-born Shakespearean actor who had a lengthy acting career, playing some of Shakespeare’s most famous characters, including Macbeth and Richard III. Most notably, in the 1820’s, he was the first black Shakespearean actor to play Othello, a black character. Met with much resistance, Aldridge continued to perform in the role, touring to many places across Europe, receiving acclaim for his acting. If you would like to learn more about Ira Aldridge’s life and career, you can check out his page on Biography.com or Wikipedia!
Condola Rashad
Condola Rashad is an American-born Broadway actress who has recently risen to fame on the stage. In 2013, she appeared in the Broadway production of Romeo and Juliet, the first Broadway production of the play since 1977. Condola starred as one of the titular characters, opposite Orlando Bloom as Romeo. The show was a modernization of the play, featuring an all white Montague family and an all black Capulet family. We look forward to seeing what projects she takes on next! To read more about Condola, you can visit her Wikipedia page!
James Earl Jones
James Earl Jones is an American Actor who is famous for portraying the voices of some of the most iconic film characters in recent memory, which I am sure I will not need to tell you! He is also a veteran of the stage, acting in Shakespearean productions since the 1950’s. Some of his most notable roles include Othello in Othello, Oberon in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and Benedick in Much Ado About Nothing. To read more about James and his lengthy career, you can visit his page on Biography.com!
Noma Dumezweni
Noma Dumezweni was born in Swaziland, and is an Olivier Award winning British actress. Her name has made headlines recently after the announcement was made that she would be portraying Hermione Granger in the upcoming Harry Potter and the Cursed Child plays (which we are super excited for, by the way!) Noma has also made many appearances on stage with The Royal Shakespeare Company since the late 90’s, including playing Ursula in Much Ado About Nothing, Paulina in The Winter’s Tale, and Calphurnia in Julius Caesar. To read more about Noma’s career, check our her Wikipedia page!
The Cast of Voodoo Macbeth
Voodoo Macbeth was a 1936 production of Macbeth that took place on a fictional Caribbean island instead of Scotland. Directed by a young Orson Welles, this production featured a cast of all black actors, which was unheard of at the time. The show ended up being a huge box office success, and has had several revivals over the years. To read more about the show, visit the Voodoo MacbethWikipedia page!
Paul Robeson
Paul Robeson was an American born actor, and was the first black actor of the 20th century to portray Othello on Broadway, and the first in Britain since Ira Aldridge played the role in the previous century. The Broadway production of Othello is still to this day one of the longest running Shakespearean productions to ever be on Broadway, running for nearly 300 performances!
Marcel Stewart
Marcel Stewart is one of Shakespeare in Action’s very own! He has appeared in our most recent productions of Romeo and Juliet and Macbeth, and is one of the brilliant minds behind our popular Shakespeare Meets Hip Hop tour! Check out a video of him performing below!
Shakespeare in Action, Ontario’s Leading Shakespeare Education Company for Young Audiences since 1988, is searching for a producer. We are a multi-racial repertory theatre company that produces yearly programming. We are dedicated to fostering literacy, enhancing creativity and promoting speech arts by making the language and stories of Shakespeare relevant to young audiences, families, schools and communities.
Producer: Full time – Contract Position
Salary starting at $800.00 weekly
Job Description:
Reporting to The Board of Directors and the Artistic Director, the Producer will lead our administrative, educational and fundraising strategies.
We are looking for a highly organized, motivated individual with a passion for classical theatre, youth, education, and community partnerships. Candidates should have expansive knowledge of Canadian Theatre, theatre for young audiences and theatre in education specifically, with exceptional written and oral communication skills, acuity in financial management, experience in managing staff and volunteers and experience in fundraising.
Working closely with the Artistic Director, the Producer will:
Write and lead strategies for securing grants, foundation asks and corporate sponsorship pitches.
Assist to coordinate our unique fundraising events.
Manage and support contract and production staff with Artist Director
Supervise and mentor our team of outstanding interns and volunteers.
Liaise with stakeholders including the TAPA, PACT, Toronto District School Board, Toronto Public Library, TD Bank and other corporate supporters to deliver programs and nurture the company’s strategic growth.
Work with the Artistic Director to build new community partnerships to broaden our mandate and strengthen our revenue base.
Liaise with the CAEA to ensure Equity contract compliance.
Coordinate the company’s marketing and outreach strategies to build new audiences
Participate in creative planning, business planning and development and with the Artistic Director
Assist to manage development of the Board of Directors including distribution of agendas and minutes
Manage individual project budgets and reports
Assist Artistic Director to manages annual audit and charity law compliance
Assist Artistic Director to manage website and execute changes
Job Requirements.
The successful applicant will have:
A post-secondary degree in a relevant field, with a minimum of 5 years experience in theatre production, arts administration, management and fundraising.
Superior written and oral communication skills, with experience in writing copy for grants, fundraising and marketing.
Working knowledge of the CTA.
Experience in recruiting and supervising staff, contract employees and volunteers.
Experiencing in successfully managing fundraising events.
The ability to work flexible hours
A deep commitment to theatre for young audiences, education and community partnerships
A keen entrepreneurial spirit
Patience and a sense of humour!
Desirable skills include:
Proficiency in photoshop, in-design and illustrator, with experience in designing marketing materials.
Experience working in the theatre, arts management, production and arts-in-education.
Conversational French is an advantage, but not essential.
Shakespeare in Action is an equal opportunity employer, with a deep commitment to reflecting the vibrant cultural diversity of our city in our creative and administrative team.
Application process:
Applicants are asked to please email a cover letter and resume info@shakespeareinaction.org
Applications will be accepted until February 26th.
Great news, everyone! We have officially opened registration for our Shakespeare Summer Camp for Kids and Young Company for Teens summer training program. Details can be found below!
Kids will learn to act, sing, improvise, construct costumes, and design sets – all while having the time of their lives! The program runs for 2 weeks, Monday to Friday, from 9am to 4pm daily. Our team of highly skilled professional actors provide master-class level instruction. Kids perform their very ownShakespeare production for parents, extended family, and friends!
The Cast of our 2015 production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream!
DETAILS
Ages: 7-12
Dates: Weekdays, Monday, July 4 – Friday, July 15, 2016.
Location: Shakespeare in Action, 385 Roxton Road, Toronto
Focus Play:TBA
Work with a professional actor
Act, sing, improvise, design sets and costumes
Build confidence
Make new friends
Step into the spotlight!
COST
$550 per child (plus Eventbrite fees)
Early Bard Deadline: Friday, April 8, 2016 (Enter the promo code “EarlyBard” and save 10%)
Registering Siblings? Use the promo code “EarlyBardFamily.” After April 8, use “FamilyBard.”
Recommend a friend to the Shakespeare for Kids Summer Camp and receive $50 off your registration fee when they sign up!*
This is a 4-week intensive training program in stage and film performance. Professional actors and directors lead workshops in theatre and film techniques. No drama or performance experience is required. Participants rehearse and perform one of Shakespeare’s more challenging plays. Teens are encouraged to develop their own interpretations of Shakespeare’s works to create and showcase a multi-media performance.
The cast and directing team of our 2015 production of Hamlet!
DETAILS
Ages: 13-17
Dates: Weekdays, Monday, July 4 – Friday, July 29, 2016
Location: Shakespeare in Action, 385 Roxton Road, Toronto
Focus Play:TBA
Work with a professional actor
Act, sing, improvise, design sets and costumes
Build confidence
Make new friends
Step into the spotlight!
COST
$1000 per camper (plus Eventbrite fees)
Early Bard Deadline: Friday, April 8, 2016 (Enter the promo code “EarlyBard” and save 10%)
Registering Siblings? Use the promo code “EarlyBardFamily.” After April 8, use “FamilyBard.”
Recommend a friend to the Shakespeare for Kids Summer Camp and receive $50 off your registration fee when they sign up!*
Here are some eye-catching past productions, in a variety of media, which brought the Bard’s vision alive with the help of some talented craftsmanship.
The Shakespeare Theatre Company of Washington, DC recently mounted this gorgeous Ethan McSweeny production of The Tempest as part of its 2015/16 season. On the surreal set of white sand and wreckage that is Prospero’s island, the actors share the stage with colossal puppets designed by James Ortiz.
The stop motion master Jiří Trnka’s last feature film was the 1959 Sen noci svatojánské (A Midsummer Night’s Dream). In this film, he created expressive stop motion characters within highly detailed landscapes and scenarios that were further brought to life through the classical compositions of Vaclav Trojan. The film was punctuated by some quite comedic moments that couldn’t have been achieved through anything other than stop motion.
Sen noci svatojánské was recently shown as part of TIFF’s Magic Motion: The Art of Stop Motion Animation retrospective.
And of course, this short review wouldn’t be complete without a tip of the hat to The Muppets. I feel the Swedish Chef exhibits a wonderful mastery of the iambic pentameter!
This spring, Shakespeare in Action is excited to hit the road and travel across Ontario, performing two exciting shows for students of all ages! To have one of these fantastic shows come to your school, please visit our website, call us at (416) 703-4881, or e-mail info@shakespeareinaction.org!
This hour long performance brings four of Shakespeare’s best-loved plays –Romeo and Juliet, The Tempest, Macbeth and Twelfth Night – to life for children ages five to seventy-five. Featuring music, dance, and physical comedy, the performance is the perfect introduction to Shakespeare for young audiences.
Dates: April 4-15, 2016 Duration: 60 minutes. Price: $675 + HST (BOOK 2 SHOWS AND SAVE!) Location: Your classroom, school theatre or gymnasium. Maximum 250 students per session. Ideal for Grades 1-8!
For more information on Suddenly Shakespeare, visit our website!
Shakespeare Meets Hip Hop is a vibrant, interactive presentation that demonstrates how modern hip-hop shares many similarities with the themes, language and rhythm used by Shakespeare. Both are full of poetry, word play and lyricism, and both deal with what it is to be human.
Dates: April 18- May 6, 2016 Duration: 75 minutes. Price: $675 + HST (BOOK 2 SHOWS AND SAVE!) Location: Your classroom, school theatre or gymnasium. Maximum 250 students per session. Ideal for grades 6-12
For more information on Suddenly Shakespeare, visit our website!
Shakespeare in Action is looking to hire an Interim Administrator! See details below.
Job Description:
Reporting to The Board of Directors and the Artistic Director, the Interim Administrator will lead our administrative, educational and fundraising strategies for a period of 6 months, with the possibility of contract extension after such time.
We are looking for a highly organized, motivated individual with a passion for classical theatre and youth. Candidates should have expansive knowledge of Canadian Theatre, specifically Theatre in Education, with exceptional written and oral communication skills, acuity in financial management, experience in managing staff and volunteers and experience in fundraising.
Key Responsibilities:
Working closely with the Artistic Director, the Interim Administrator will:
Manage the daily operation of the Shakespeare in Action offices, including management of master calendar and email accounts.
Oversee finances, and manage yearly and individual project budgets, annual audits and, CRA remittances charity law compliance, as well as daily banking, bill payments and deposits.
Hire and supervise office/administrative and production staff, in partnership with with Artistic Director.
Coordinate Board meetings, including distribution of agendas and minutes.
Assist to manage development of the Board of Directors.
Manage the writing, submission and final reporting of grants from a variety of granting bodies.
Coordinate and manage Shakespeare in Actions Fundraising events, including overseeing call campaigns, managing donations, and ensuring receipts/thank you letters sent.
Coordinate and manage marketing and call campaigns
Take a leading role in strategizing and executing fundraising requests, devise and lead individual donor strategy plan, and draft and distribute foundation asks and corporate sponsorship pitches.
Research and implement strategies for new revenue generation.
Liaise with stakeholders including the TAPA, PACT, Toronto District School Board, Toronto Public Library and Central Toronto Academy to deliver programs and nurture the company’s strategic growth.
Liaise with the CAEA to ensure Equity compliance and manage actor contracts.
Maintain statistical information and perform data entry
Oversee and manage company website
Participate in creative planning, and
Supervise and mentor our team of outstanding interns and volunteers
Job Requirements.
The successful applicant will have:
A post-secondary degree in a relevant field, with a minimum of 5 years experience in arts administration, preferably management.
Superior written and oral communication skills, with experience in writing copy for grants, fundraising and marketing.
Working knowledge of the CTA and CAEA.
Experience in recruiting and supervising staff, contract employees and volunteers.
Experiencing in successfully managing fundraising events.
The ability to work flexible hours
A deep commitment to theatre for young audiences, and
Patience and a sense of humour!
Desirable skills include:
Proficiency in Photoshop, in-design and illustrator, with experience in designing marketing materials.
Experience working in an educational or school setting.
Conversational French is an advantage, but not essential.
Shakespeare in Action is an equal opportunity employer, with a deep commitment to reflecting the vibrant cultural diversity of our city in our creative and administrative team.
The 73rd Annual Golden Globes will be presented this Sunday, and we couldn’t be happier to see so many Shakespearean actors and actresses nominated for awards! We have compiled a list of all of the actors that have been nominated in the Film, TV, and Limited Series categories for you. Take a look below!
Cate Blanchett (Carol)
Appeared in:
Richard II (Sydney Festival, 2009) as Richard II
*This production was part of The War of the Roses, where all of Shakespeare’s Historical plays were condensed into one 8 hour performance!
Leonardo DiCaprio (The Revenant)
Appeared in:
Romeo and Juliet (1996) as Romeo
Michael Fassbender (Steve Jobs)
Appeared in:
Macbeth (2015) as Macbeth
Eddie Redmayne (The Danish Girl)
Appeared in:
Richard III (Donmar Warehouse 2011) as Richard III
Twelfth Night (Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre,2002) as Viola
Maggie Smith (The Lady in the Van)
Appeared in:
Gnomeo and Juliet (2011) as Lady Blueberry
Romeo.Juliet (1990) as Rosaline
Richard III (1995) as Duchess of York
The Merchant of Venice (BBC Play of the Month, 1972) as Portia
Much Ado About Nothing (TV movie, 1967) as Beatrice
Othello (1965) as Desdemona
Twelfth Night (Oxford University Dramatics Society, 1952) as Viola
Christian Bale (The Big Short)
Appeared in:
A Midsummer Night’s Dream (1999) as Demetrius
Henry V (1989) as Robin the Luggage Boy
Al Pacino (Danny Collins)
Appeared in:
Richard III (1979) as Richard III
Julius Caesar (New York Shakespeare Festival, 1986) as Mark Anton
Helen Mirren (Trumbo)
Appeared in:
The Tempest (2010) as Prospera
Antony and Cleopatra (National Theatre, 1998) as Cleopatra
Cymbeline (TV movie, 1982) as Imogen
Antony and Cleopatra (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1982) as Cleopatra
A Midsummer Night’s Dream (TV movie, 1981) as Titania
As You Like It (TV movie, 1978) as Rosalind
Henry VI Part 1 (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1977) as Margaret
Henry VI Part 2 (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1977) as Queen Margaret
Hamlet (1976) as Ophelia and Gertrude
Macbeth (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1974) as Lady Macbeth
The Two Gentlemen of Verona (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1970) as Julia
Richard III (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1970) as Lady Anne
Hamlet (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1970) as Ophelia
A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1969) as Hermia
A Midsummer Night’s Dream (1968) as Hermia
Troilus and Cressida (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1968) as Cressida
Much Ado About Nothing (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1968) as Hero
All’s Well That Ends Well (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1967) as Diana
Kate Winslet (Steve Jobs)
Appeared in:
Hamlet (1996) as Ophelia
Idris Elba (Beasts of No Nation)
Appeared in:
Trolius and Cressida (American Place Theater, 2001) as Achilles
Mark Rylance (Bridge of Spies)
Appeared in:
Much Ado About Nothing (The Old Vic, 2013)
Anonymous (2011) asCondell
The Tempest (Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, 2005) as Prospero/Stephano/Sebastian/Alonso
Measure for Measure (Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, 2004) as Vincentio
Richard II (Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, 2003) as Richard II
Hamlet (British National Theatre, 2001)
The Winter’s Tale (British National Theatre, 2001)
A Midsummer Night’s Dream (British National Theatre, 2001)
Twelfth Night (Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, 2001) as Olivia
Cymbeline (Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, 2001) as Posthumus/ Cloten
Romeo and Juliet (British National Theatre, 2000)
Hamlet (Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, 2000) asHamlet
Antony and Cleopatra (Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, 1999) asCleopatra
The Merchant of Venice (Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, 1998) as Bassanio
The Two Gentlemen of Verona (Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, 1996) as Proteus
Macbeth (Greenwich Theatre, 1995) as Macbeth
Romeo and Juliet (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1989) as Romeo
The Winter’s Tale (British National Theatre, 1988)
The Tempest (British National Theatre, 1988)
Cymbeline (British National Theatre, 1988)
Antony and Cleopatra (British National Theatre, 1988)
Hamlet (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1988) as Hamlet
King Lear (British National Theatre, 1987)
Antony and Cleopatra (British National Theatre, 1987)
The Taming of the Shrew (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1982) Lucentio, Player
The Tempest (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1982) as Ariel
Jon Hamm (Mad Men)
Appeared in:
Timon of Athens (Sacred Fools Theatre Company, 1998) as Flavius
Liev Schreiber (Ray Donovan)
Appeared in:
Henry V (Shakespeare in Central Park, 2003) as Henry V
Hamlet (2000) as Laertes
Macbeth (Joseph Papp Public Theater, 1998) as Banquo
Cymbeline (Shakespeare in the Park, 1998) as Iachimo
Gael Garcia Bernal (Mozart in the Jungle)
Appeared in:
Letters to Juliet (2010) as Victor
Patrick Stewart (Blunt Talk)
Appeared in:
The Hollow Crown- Richard II (TV mini-series, 2012) as John of Gaunt
Great Performances- Macbeth (TV series, 2012) as Macbeth
Gnomeo and Juliet (2011) as Bill Shakespeare
The Merchant of Venice (Royal Shakespeare Company , 2011) as Shylock
Hamlet (TV movie, 2009) as Claudius/ Ghost
Twelfth Night (Chichester Festival Theatre, 2007) as Malvolio
Macbeth (Chichester Festival Theatre, 2007) as Macbeth
Othello (Shakespeare Theater, 1997) as Othello
The Tempest (on Broadway, 1995)
King Lear (British National Theatre, 1986)
Hamlet (British National Theatre, 1986)
Henry IV Part 1 and 2 (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1982)
The Winter’s Tale (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1981 and 1982)
Titus Andronicus (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1981)
Two Gentlemen of Verona (Royal Shakespeare Company,1970 and 1981)
Hamlet, Prince of Denmark (TV movie, 1980) as Claudius
The Merchant of Venice (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1979)
Antony and Cleopatra (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1972 and 1979)
A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Royal Shakespeare Company,1971 and 1977)
Antony and Cleopatra (TV movie, 1974) as Enobarbus
Julius Caesar (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1973)
Coriolanus (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1972)
The Tempest (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1970)
King John (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1970)
Richard III (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1970)
As You Like It (Royal Shakespeare Company,1967 and 1968)
Much Ado About Nothing (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1968)
Trolius and Cressida (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1968)
King Lear (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1968)
All’s Well That Ends Well (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1967)
The Taming of the Shrew (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1967)
Hamlet (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1966) as Player 1
The Merchant of Venice (Old Vic Theatre, 1965)
Oscar Isaac (Show Me A Hero)
Appeared in:
Romeo and Juliet (Delacorte Theater, 2007) as Romeo
The Two Gentlemen of Verona (Delacorte Theater, 2005) as Proteus
David Oyelowo (Nightingale)
Appeared in:
As You Like It (2006) as Orlando De Boys
Richard III (Royal Shakespeare Company, 2001) as Ghost of Henry VI
Henry VI Part 1 (Royal Shakespeare Company, 2000) as Henry VI
Henry VI Part 2 (Royal Shakespeare Company, 2000) as Henry VI
Henry VI Part 3 (Royal Shakespeare Company, 2000) as Henry VI
Antony and Cleopatra (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1999) as Menacrates and Decretas
Alan Cumming (The Good Wife)
Appeared in:
The Tempest (2010) as Sebastian
Titus (1999) as Saturninus
Richard III (Royal National Theatre, 1990)
Hamlet (Royal National Theatre, 1990)
As You Like It (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1989) as Courtier, Silvius
Macbeth (Tron Theatre, 1985) as Malcom
Damian Lewis (Wolf Hall)
Appeared in:
Romeo and Juliet (2013) as Lord Capulet
ShakespeaRE-Told- Much Ado About Nothing (TV mini-series, 2005) as Benedick
Cymbeline (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1997) as Posthumus Leonatus
Much Ado About Nothing (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1996) as Don John
Shakespeare In Action 