Janus Theatre to present unrehearsed 'The Tempest' in Elgin
Janus Theatre Company presents an all-female production of Shakespeare's "The Tempest" unrehearsed at the Elgin Artspace Lofts, 51 S. Spring St., Elgin.
Performances, free and open to the public, are at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Aug. 17 and 18, and 6 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 19.
This production is part of Janus Theatre's Elgin Shakespeare Project, exploring original practices of Shakespeare's plays and his contemporaries. About the show
"The Tempest" is one of Shakespeare's most enduring plays.
In the story, Prospero has been banished by Antonio to a remote island with his daughter Miranda.
After a decade of isolation, Prospero, conjures a storm that brings him face-to-face with the people that sent him away and gives him the chance to restore order.
"The Tempest" is one Shakespeare's late plays, incorporating elements of high farce and drama to the story.
The play will be presented using cue script acting techniques.
"Actors will be working with scrolls in hand during the performance and will not have read the play or rehearsed scenes in advance," said artistic director Sean Hargadon. "This will bring a spontaneity and improvisational quality to the performance."
The cast features Jennifer Reeves-Wilson, Julie Bayer, Lori Holm, Heidi Swarthout, Allison Sword, Amber Cartwright, Paula Smiech, and Annalise Palatine.
The production is produced by Hargadon and stage managed by Tara Morrison, with technique direction by Bill Kincaid.
About the Elgin Shakespeare Project
The Elgin Shakespeare Project embarks on a three-year journey to further examine Shakespeare's plays and his contemporaries by using techniques developed during his time.
"By practicing the unrehearsed cue script technique along with other exciting innovations from the time," said Hargadon, "we hope to create a place where Shakespeare's plays speak directly to audiences today."
The project is generously sponsored by the Palmer Foundation and the Elgin Artspace Lofts. For information, visit www.janusplays.com.