Four years ago this month, The Unrehearsed Shakespeare Company served as the guest manager/director of the annual Bard in the Barn festival at Western Illinois University. The performances were moved to the campus’ ‘Ravine’ performance space, hence changing the festival title: Revels in the Ravine.
Unstoppable powerhouse Tiza Garland as Cleopatra
I had previously performed for Bard in the Barn since 2008: as Voltore in Volpone, Lear in King Lear, and Thersites in Troilus & Cressida in 2010. Also in 2010, I directed Unrehearsed productions of Two Gentlemen of Verona and The Merry Wives of Windsor. At the time, the Unrehearsed Shakespeare Company was only beginning to make headway in Chicago. I returned as a performer in 2011 (as John in King John and the inimitable Apemantus in Timon of Athens), before Unrehearsed was officially invited to direct in 2012.
Me as Jaques. One of my all-time favorite photos
We staged As You Like It and Antony & Cleopatra that year; directed by Zack Meyer and myself, respectively. Not only did I get to play Jaques for the first time, but I also got to witness some indescribable and unique moments in a lesser-done play: Andrew Behling’s Octavian was particularly moving.