Shakespeare Theatre Company Literary Associate Akiva Fox discusses how understanding the works of playwright Christopher Marlowe helps us understand the works of William Shakespeare.

This podcast was recorded as part of Meet the Cast for STC's productions of Marlowe's Tamburlaine and Edward II.

Director Gale Edwards discusses her production of the Shakespeare Theatre Company's Edward II. Deemed by many to be Marlowe’s crowning achievement, Edward II features the playwright’s most nuanced characters and some of his finest language.  In the weak, stubborn character of Edward II, Marlowe created a compelling portrait of a flawed monarch. Though the son of a great general, Edward is an ineffectual king and, in the grips of a romantic obsession, fails to recognize the threats to his crown. As the play unfolds, Marlowe turns the doomed Edward into a more tragic figure, contrasting his plight with the ruthless nobles who depose him. Gale Edwards (Titus Andronicus, Richard III, Hamlet) returns to direct. The Washington Post described her production of Richard III as “compulsively watchable ... restlessly inventive.â€? Wallace Acton returns for the first time since his 2003 performance as Richard III to play the title role. The production runs October 27, 2007, to January 6, 2008, at Sidney Harman Hall (610 F St. NW, Washington D.C.).

Director Michael Kahn discusses his production of the Shakespeare Theatre Company's Tamburlaine. Marlowe's first play, Tamburlaine chronicles its hero's meteoric rise from humble origins to fearsome warrior and emperor of thousands. Tamburlaine desolates his adversaries, growing so ruthless that he marches on his beloved’s native country. With ravishing poetry, Marlowe ruminates on the corrupting influence of ambition and one man’s overwhelming desire for immortality. Tamburlaine exemplifies Marlowe’s extravagant style, immense sense of pageantry and bold characters. Michael Kahn directs, calling up "the combination of stylization and raw force that has brought his productions of classics to towering lifeâ€? (The Washington Post). Avery Brooks returns to play the title role after his acclaimed portrayals of Othello and Oedipus. Franchelle Stewart Dorn returns for the first time since 2000 to play the Empress of Turkey. The production runs October 28, 2007, to January 6, 2008, in Sidney Harman Hall (610 F St. NW, Washington, D.C.).

Director Rebecca Bayla Taichman discusses her production of the Shakespeare Theatre Company's The Taming of the Shrew.

With The Taming of the Shrew, Shakespeare gives us the improbable courtship of the fiery-tongued Katherine by the arrogant Petruchio. But unlike Shakespeare’s other romantic comedies, the play does not stop with the wedding. Shakespeare considers the institution of marriage, the rifts between men and women, and the rough journey toward love. One of Shakespeare’s earliest and most popular comedies, The Taming of the Shrew bursts with disguise, deception and devilment.

Explore the plays of the Shakespeare Theatre Company's season in depth, as literary texts, performance scripts and in production. Through discussions learn about production histories, social and cultural contexts, and approaches while examining the relevancy of the production in its own time and ours. Classics in Context seminars are scheduled throughout the season to enhance the experience of attending each production.

Participants included:

Joan Holmer, Professor, Georgetown University

Stephanie Kendall, Grief Counselor, The George Washington University

Akiva Fox, Literary Associate, Shakespeare Theatre Company

For more information on STC's production of Hamlet, click here.

Windows offers a lively discussion and introduction to the current production on the Sunday afternoon of preview week. Windows discussions offer audience members background information on the play by inviting local scholars and members of the artistic staff to discuss their particular connection to the production. Discussion Participants for Windows on Shakespeare:

Akiva Fox, Literary Associate - Shakespeare Theatre CompanyMichael Mack - Professor, The Catholic University of AmericaAlexander Burns, Assistant Director, Hamlet

For more information on STC's production of Hamlet, click here.

This episode features the First Rehearsal for Titus Andronicus.  This event was recorded on February 21, 2007 at the Shakespeare Theatre Company's Rehearsal Hall in Washington, D.C. Participants included Shakespeare Theatre Company Artistic Director Michael Kahn and Titus Andronicus director Gale Edwards.

For more information on STC's production of Titus Andronicus, click here.

Explore the plays of the Shakespeare Theatre Company's season in depth, as literary texts, performance scripts and in production. Through discussions learn about production histories, social and cultural contexts, and approaches while examining the relevancy of the production in its own time and ours. Classics in Context seminars are scheduled throughout the season to enhance the experience of attending each production. The following discussion was recorded on March 10, 2007 at the Lansburgh Theatre.

Participants included:

Michael Houston, Psychoanalyst, Washington Center for Psychoanalysis

James Siemon, Professor, Boston University

Akiva Fox, Literary Associate, Shakespeare Theatre Company

For more information on STC's production of Richard III, click here.

This episode features the First Rehearsal for Richard III.  This event was recorded on December 6, 2006, at the Shakespeare Theatre Company’s Rehearsal Hall in Washington, D.C. Participants included Shakespeare Theatre Company Artistic Director Michael Kahn, Shakespeare Theatre Company Literary Associate Akiva Fox, Fight Choreogrpaher David Leong, Set Designer Lee Savage and Costume Designer Jennifer Moeller.

For more information on STC's production of Richard III, click here.

Windows offers a lively discussion and introduction to the current production on the Sunday afternoon of preview week. Windows discussions offer audience members background information on the play by inviting local scholars and members of the artistic staff to discuss their particular connection to the production.

Discussion Participants for Windows on Farquhar were:

Dawn McAndrews, Director of Education, discussion moderator

Akiva Fox, Literary Associate, Shakespeare Theatre Company

Stephen Fried, Resident Assistant Director, Shakespeare Theatre Company

Laura J. Rosenthal, Associate Professor of English at the University of Maryland - College Park

For more information on STC's production of The Beaux' Stratagem, click here.