According to Shakespeare Dallas Board President Lauren York,
“On behalf of Shakespeare Dallas, North Texas’ leading professional theatre company performing the works of William Shakespeare, I want to invite the community to join us for our upcoming performances of ‘Hamlet,’ from September 7 through October 15. Come enjoy one of Shakespeare’s most beloved plays while celebrating the culmination of the company’s 50thanniversary!
“Shakespeare Dallas’ interpretation of ‘Hamlet’ will feature an all-woman cast and will be directed by celebrated local actress and director Christie Vela. We are absolutely thrilled to convert some roles from the historical gender that they have been cast as, to open the play up to new interpretations and provide much more access to the incredibly talented performers in our community who are not traditionally offered these roles due to their gender representation.
“In addition to ‘Hamlet,’ I am excited to see great roles like Claudius, Hamlet’s father, Horatio, his friend, and Laertes, Ophelia’s brother, be cast as women. None of the gender pronouns included in Shakespeare’s text will be changed, so all the roles traditionally assigned to men will use “he/him”and those assigned to women will use she/her. I think it will bring a unique energy to the production that audiences have not experienced before.
“As well, we are so grateful to the Dallas community for supporting us this entire 50thyear, including our many generous supporters: City of Dallas Office of Arts and Culture, Dallas Park and Recreation Department, Dallas Tourism Public Improvement District, Fichtenbaum Charitable Trust, Hal and Diane Brierley Foundation, Harold Simmons Foundation, Interabang Books, Rea Charitable Trust, TACA (The Arts Community Alliance) and Texas Commission on the Arts.
“Performances of ‘Hamlet’ will be held at Samuell-Grand Amphitheater, located at 1500 Tenison Parkway in Dallas. Tickets are available by visiting shakespearedallas.org.”
* Graphic/photo provided by Shakespeare Dallas
