The Notre Dame Shakespeare Festival (formerly Summer Shakespeare) at the University of Notre Dame is an annual festival that seeks to combine professional productions of the works of William Shakespeare with community engagement and educational programs. The Notre Dame Shakespeare Festival is a part of the University of Notre Dame's Shakespeare initiative entitled "Shakespeare at Notre Dame", a program that recognizes the centrality of the study of Shakespeare in humanistic pedagogy at the university. Its fifteenth season (summer of 2014) was known as the 15/150, also celebrating the 450th birthday of William Shakespeare, and the 150th anniversary of the first full production of Shakespeare at the university in 1864 (Records indicate the first performance of Shakespeare at the University of Notre Dame took place in 1847, a collection of scenes also from Henry IV). The anniversary season consisted of the Professional Company production of Henry IV (directed by Michael Goldberg), the Young Company performance of The Merry Wives of Windsor (directed by West Hyler), and the annual ShakeScenes shows featuring actors of all ages from South Bend and the surrounding community.
History The Notre Dame Shakespeare Festival, (the professional theatre in residence at the University of Notre Dame), is a direct outgrowth of an experimental course called "Shakespeare in Performance" created in 1989 by Dr. Paul Rathburn, NDSF's founder. The premise of this course was that Shakespeare's works are both theatrical scripts and literary texts and are illuminated best through work in both the theater and in the classroom. It began in the summer of 2000 with the program's inaugural production, The Taming of the Shrew, but has since evolved to include guest artists and productions, the ShakeScenes community program, and a Young Company production produced and staffed entirely by Notre Dame and Saint Mary's students. Following the 2005 production of Henry V, Dr. Paul Rathburn retired from his role as Producing Artistic Director. The company's Artistic Director from 2006 - 2012 was Jay Paul Skelton. The current Ryan Producing Artistic Director for the Notre Dame Shakespeare Festival is Grant Mudge. The resident lighting designer for the festival since its inception has been ND Associate Professor Kevin Dreyer.Hughes, Andrew, "Kevin Dreyer," Spotlights, Arts and Entertainment, South Bend Tribune, August 11, 2011, http://www.nd.edu/~ftt./AE_Aug_11_Dreyer.pdf, Accessed August 20, 2012.
The professional company production Arguably the centerpiece of the annual festival, the professional company production consists of a professionally mounted performance of one of the plays of William Shakespeare. The production is always directed and designed by theatrical professionals, typically from either the Chicago theatre world or the university's own faculty and staff. A number of professional actors are also employed, as well as Notre Dame and Saint Mary's students and South Bend community members.
The Young Company Beginning with 2003's production, the student actors and technicians in the professional company production were given the chance to perform in a production produced entirely by them (though directed by a senior company member). The roles in the Young Company performance are necessarily larger both on and offstage - the professional company's assistant to the technical director may become the Young Company technical director, while a student playing First Soldier may have a chance to play King Richard III. Although in the past Young Company performances have taken place on the same set used for the professional company performance, 2006 saw the introduction of "green shows", performances in which Young Company members traveled to local parks in South Bend and the surrounding community.
Past Young Company productions Shakespeare on Love, adapted by R. John Roberts, 2003 Shakespeare on Comedy: A Vaudeville, adapted by R. John Roberts, 2004 Falstaff's Dream, adapted by Susan Hart, 2005 (directed by Susan Hart) The Brothers Menaechmus, by Plautus, translated by Richard Pryor with further adaptation by Jay Paul Skelton, 2006, (directed by Jay Paul Skelton) The Learned Ladies, by Molière, directed by Kevin Asselin, 2007 The Witch, by Thomas Middleton, directed by Kevin Asselin, 2008 The Deceived or Gl'ingannati, by Accademia degli Intronati of Siena (translation by Ken Rea), directed by Kevin Asselin, 2009 The Taming of the Shrew, by William Shakespeare, directed by Kevin Asselin, 2010 As You Like It, by William Shakespeare, directed by Kevin Asselin, 2011 A Midsummer Night's Dream, by William Shakespeare, directed by Kevin Asselin, 2012 The Comedy of Errors, by William Shakespeare, directed by Kevin Asselin, 2013
ShakeScenes ShakeScenes is NDSF's community outreach program, employing local theatre troupes and schools to perform selected scenes from Shakespeare's works. The coordinating director for ShakeScenes from its inception until 2012 was Deborah Girasek-Chudzynski of South Bend's Stanley Clark School. In 2012, the baton was passed to Christy Burgess, the Shakespeare outreach program director at Notre Dame's Robinson Community Learning Center. Participants range in age from 7 to 70, and scene directors are usually educators from local grade schools, high schools, colleges, and directors of area civic theatres. These individuals cast and direct their respective scenes as well as facilitate costumes, props, and choreography. All members of the ShakeScenes company attend acting workshops taught by local and national theatre artists.
Production history +Notre Dame Shakespeare Festival productionsSeasonCompanyPerformance titlePerformance datesCastCrewLocation2000Professional CompanyThe Taming of the ShrewAugust 2000* R. John Roberts: Baptista Minola * Hollis McCarthy: Katherina
Beth Gervain: Bianca
* Thom Van Ermen: Petruchio
* Mark McCarthy: Grumio
* Frederic Stone: Gremio
Christopher Beely: Hortensio/Officer
Todd Dvorak: Lucentio
Mike Kersey: Tranio
John Area: Biondello
Melissa Fosse-Dunne: Curtis
* Scott Stambach: Pedant/Sugarsop
Jenifer Rinner: Margary/Flower Seller
Chris Sinnott: Nicholas/Waiter/Townsperson
Lisa Marie Fabrega: Tailor/Waiter/Courtesan
Liz Cenova: Joan/Servant
Jerry Kline: Vincentio
Stephanie Bickle: WidowDirector: Katherine CoulsonNotre Dame, IN2000Guest PerformancesWill and IAugust 2000Michael YorkNotre Dame, IN2001Professional CompanyMuch Ado About NothingDirector: Katherine CoulsonNotre Dame, IN2001Guest PerformancesThe Lunatic, the Lover, and the Poet (by Brian Bedford)Brian BedfordNotre Dame, IN2001Guest PerformancesAll the World's a StageBrian Bedford and Claire BloomNotre Dame, IN2002Professional CompanyThe TempestJuly 23–28, 2002Molly Malone Beeler: Spirit / Nymph Thomas Conner: Adrian / Mariner / Reaper
Kerry Cotter: Ship Master
*Matthew Quentin Fahey: Sebastian
*Roger Forbes: Prospero
Beth Gervain: Ceres / Spirit
Matthew Holmes: Francisco / Mariner / Reaper
*Richard Edward Long: Alonso
*Hollis McCarthy: Iris
*Mark McCarthy: Boatswain
*Kathleen J. McClaine: Ariel
*Suzanne Mignanelli: Miranda
*Jim Mohr: Gonzalo
*Matthew Penn: Antonio
Drew Rausch: Ferdinand
*R. John Roberts: Stephano
*Robert Rutland: Trinculo
Bethany Tovey: Spirit / Nymph
Kat Walsh: Juno / Spirit
*Martin Yurek: CalibanDirector: Gavin Cameron-WebbNotre Dame, IN2002Guest PerformancesAh, Wilderness!Guthrie TheatreNotre Dame, IN2003Professional CompanyA Midsummer Night's DreamJuly 23-August 2, 2003Elizabeth Bracken: Cobweb Novella Brooks-DeVita: First Fairy
*McKinley Carter: Helena
Thomas A. Conner: Francis Flute
Terry Dawson: Egeus
Jason Denuszek: Puck
Mike Dolson: Robin Starveling
Christine Flint: Fairy
Elizabeth Grams: Peaseblossom
*Susan Hart: Titania / Hippolyta
Stephen Hoeplinger: Philostrate
Mike Kersey: Demetrius
Anhmarie Marshall: Moth
T.J. McNally: Tom Snout
Liz Melly: Mustardseed
*Bradley Mott: Nick Bottom
*Drew Rausch: Lysander
* R. John Roberts: Peter Quince
Megan E. Ryan: Hermia
Justin Williams: Snug
*Martin Yurek: Oberon / TheseusNotre Dame, IN2003Student CompanySelected ScenesNotre Dame, IN2003Guest PerformancesThe Stuff of DreamsGuthrie TheatreNotre Dame, IN2004Professional CompanyRomeo and JulietJuly 21-August 1, 2004Kevin Asselin: Tybalt Susan Baxter: Lady Montague
Kerry Cotter: Lord Montague
*Jason Denuszek: Benvolio
Mike Dolson: Balthasar / Friar John
Mike Federico: Paris
*Maureen Gallagher: Nurse
Adel Hanash: Abram
*Susan Hart: Lady Capulet
Katharine Kertez: Dancing Lady
*Elizabeth Ledo: Juliet
*John Lister: Lord Capulet
T.J. McNally: Sampson
Greg Melton: Prince Escalus
*R. John Roberts: Friar Lawrence
*Matt Schwader: Romeo
Meghann Tabor: Dancing Lady
David Tull: Gregory
Justin Williams: Peter
*Martin Yurek: MercutioNotre Dame, IN2004Student CompanyAn Evening With ShakespeareJuly 24, 2004Notre Dame, IN2004Young CompanyShakeScenesJuly 17 & 18, 2004South Bend Civic Theatre Youth (directed by Dana Vagg) South Bend Civic Theatre (directed by Judy Spigle)
Clay High School (directed by Michelle Walters)
Trinity School @ Greenlawn (dir: John Kurdelak)
Mishawaka High School (dir: Ashley Bennett)
John Adams High School (dir: Kerry Cotter)
Culver Academies (dir: Richard Coven)
Elkhart Central High School (dir: Alison Cordell)
Elkhart Civic Theatre Youth (dir: Heather O'Connor Schoenherr)
Stanley Clark School (dir: Deborah Girasek-Chudzynski)
Bethel College (dir: Brock Fisher)Notre Dame, IN2004Student CompanyShakespeare on Comedy: A VaudevilleJuly 27, 2004Notre Dame, IN2004Guest PerformancesOthelloFebruary 26–29, 2004Guthrie TheatreNotre Dame, IN2005Professional CompanyHenry VAugust 9–28, 2005Steve Haggard: Falstaff's Boy *Matt Schwader: King Henry V
*Robert Scogin: Duke of Exeter
James Dolson: Duke of Gloucester / Lord Scroop / Alexander Court
Brandon McGirr: Duke of Bedford
Dan Kenney: Duke of York / Gower
Greg Melton: Earl of Westmoreland / Jamy / Duke of Bourbon
*John Lister: Archbishop of Canterbury / Pistol
*Bradley Mott: Bishop of Ely / Sir John Falstaff / Charles VI
*Sean Allan Krill: Earl of Cambridge / Lewis
*Kevin Asselin: Sir Thomas Grey / Charles Delabreth
Kerry Cotter: Sir Thomas Erpingham / Bardolph
*Martin Yurek: Fluellen
Ted Manier: Macmorris / Nym
Ceschino Brooks de Vita: John Bates / Monsieur Le Fer
Joseph Garlock: Michael Williams / Duke of Berri
Molly Topper: Baggage Boy / Isabel
*Susan Hart: Mistress Quickly / Alice
David Tull: Duke of Orleans
Cricket Slattery: Katherine
T.J. McNally: MontjoyDirector: William BrownNotre Dame, IN2005Young CompanyShakeScenesAugust 6 & 7, 2005Trinity School @ Greenlawn (directed by John Kurdelak) Stanley Clark School Summer Camp (directed by Elyse Chudzynski)
Stanley Clark School (Deborah Girasek-Chudzynski)
LaSalle Academy Shakespeare Club (dir: Marianne West & Cathy Welsh-Payne)
John Adams High School (dir: Kerry Cotter)
Troupe Du Jour (dir: Michelle Walters)
Bethel College (dir: Brock Fisher)
John Adams High School Alumni (dir: Douglas Lavanture)
The Players (dir: Dana Vagg)
South Bend Civic Theatre, Shakespeare Players (dir: Dana Vagg)
Elkhart Civic Theatre Youth (dir: Heather O'Connor Schoenherr & Margo Brenner)
Elkhard Central High School (dir: Alison Glenn)
South Bend Civic Theatre (dir: Judy Spigle)Coordinator: Deborah Girasek-ChudzynskiNotre Dame, IN2005Student CompanyFalstaff's DreamAugust 22 & 23, 2005*Bradley Mott: Sir John Falstaff T.J. McNally: King Henry IV / Hastings
James Dolson: Prince Hal
Ceschino Brooks de Vita: Westmoreland / Douglas / Lord Chief-Justice
David Tull: Worchester / Prince John / Morton
Brandon McGirr: Northumberland / Blunt / York
Crickey Slattery: Vernon / Rumour / Mistress Quickly
Joseph Garlock: Hotspur / Pistol / Colevile