The Compleat Works of Wllm Shkspr (abridged)... Again!

For the first time in my life I have the pleasure of directing a show for the second time. I'm currently working on a production of The Compleat Works of Wllm Shkspr (abridged) at Children and Adults Theatrical Studio in Lubbock, TX. I first worked on this script as a part of my MFA thesis project in 2010.

There is such joy in working on this script. Its authors- Adam Long, Daniel Singer, and Jess Winfield- filled the show with timely pop culture and political references. They created the original "Reduced Shakespeare Company," an RSC for the fast-paced, high tech, America of today. They allow each group that comes together to produce and perform the show to update these references as needed. Much like Shakespeare himself always did with his writing, this show is meant to comment on contemporary events and should never feel stale.

It's a wonderful teaching tool for directors. Although the script is a rollicking comedy at heart, it is difficult to perform if the cast is not familiar with Shakespeare's works. Much like the sketch comedy of Saturday Night Live, The Second City, and The Groundlings, the script involves a great deal of satire. One can't satirize that which one doesn't understand. So, in both productions I've had the honor of working on, we've focused on discovering Shakespeare's plays, studying commentary and criticism, and studying verse. Many of the actors with whom I've worked have not worked on plays written in blank verse before. This show is a wonderful opportunity for actors to throw themselves headlong into the works of one of the greatest playwrights and poets in history.

The real joy of this show lies in each ensemble creating wonderful relationships with each other on stage and with the audience each night. Each group of actors (originally a cast of three, but I enjoy expanding to six to give both men and women the opportunity to work on this fantastic script) becomes a new and singularly unique "Reduced Shakespeare Company." The script really works as a dialogue with the audience, and the actors must react to audience responses each night honestly, quickly, and with wit and humor. I'm not sure there is another play that teaches actors so well that no two audiences are alike.

And... it's just plain funny! I love walking into the rehearsal hall knowing that every night I will laugh. I love creating a safe space for actors to try new approaches and "bits." If any fall flat, we get to keep working and trying and stretching new comedic muscles. What could be better?

So... this is the part of the post in which I switch over to "shamelessly plugging" the show. You should see this play. You should come out and laugh at us and with us. You should see how full of life Shakespeare's plays still are! Especially when they're re-imagined as cooking shows (hosted by a rather infamous Southern chef in our version), raps (yes, we're searching for our inner Kanyes and J-Zs...), and even Football Games (I know that caught the attention of some of our West Texas patrons- come see our Friday Night Lights- complete with cute cheerleaders!)! You think you know Hamlet, but have you ever seen it backwards? Or a cast of six perform that play in under 60 seconds? Can tragedies be funnier than comedies? (Yes!) Should you miss your chance to see a brave cast of only six gender bend their way through Romeo and Juliet as well as parry and thrust their way through a wickedly fast version of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark? (No!)

This really is a show for everyone. This is a show that can prove how transformative and wonderful theatre can be. I know. I've spent a lot of time with two wonderfully talented and hardworking casts, and I hope to revisit this play again in the future. There is always something new and wonderful to discover.

So please, won't you come and spend 90 minutes with us as we laugh and play? We certainly hope so! Huzzah! ( You can get more info at the Children and Adults Theatrical Studio website- and you can make reservations there, too! Or, you can call 806-792-0501.) So...

Until Next Time...
Ro Huizinga

The 2013 cast and crew! (Clockwise from top left: Zachery Kocurek, Amanda Allen, Chris Luera, Jonathan Keys, Cornelius Brown, Reagan Sudduth, Emily Healy, Robyn R. Huizinga, and Lisa Hernandez)

The 2010 cast! (Clockwise from left: Dr. Sherry Shields Scott, Ashley Pickering, Michael Risinger, Mile Pickering, Juan Espinosa, and Brittani Spang-Klotz )

The Earth Isn't Flat... (and I didn't fall off).

I can't believe the last time I wrote a post was in October!!! Where have I been??? I let myself get wrapped up in classes, holidays, being a dog mom, etc. In short, if one takes off too much time between posts, one may never write another post. 

But... The Earth isn't flat, and I didn't fall off.

I keep thinking that I must think of something particularly witty or wonderful to write before I make my next post. So... I've obviously not made my next post. Tonight I thought, "I miss blogging so much!" So then I thought, "Then just write something, dodo!" 

That's the key! If I make myself write, even if I don't have a topic planned out, the words will come. If nobody reads them... oh, well. At least I wrote! 

So while I haven't fallen off the Earth, here's a bit of what I have been doing: