SCHILLER’S CHICAGO SHAKESPEARE THEATER About CST A global theatrical force, Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) is known for vibrant productions that reflect Shakespeare’s genius for storytelling, musicality of language, and empathy for the human condition. Under the leadership of Artistic Director Barbara Gaines and Executive Director Criss Henderson, Chicago Shakespeare has redefined what a great American Shakespeare theater can be—a company that, delighting in the unexpected, defies theatrical category. —The Merry Wives of Windsor A Regional Tony Award-winning theater, CST produces acclaimed plays at its home on Navy Pier, throughout Chicago’s schools and neighborhoods, and on stages around the world. In 2017, the Theater unveiled its third year-round venue, The Yard at Chicago Shakespeare, with an innovative design that has changed the shape of theater-making. Together with the Jentes Family Courtyard Theater and the Thoma Theater Upstairs at Chicago Shakespeare, The Yard positions CST as the city’s most versatile performing arts venue. Chicago Shakespeare’s year-round season features as many as twenty productions and 650 performances—including plays, musicals, world premieres, and visiting international presentations—to engage a broad, multigenerational audience of 225,000 community members. Recognized in 2014 in a White House ceremony hosted by First Lady Michelle Obama, CST’s education programs support literacy and creativity for 40,000 students each year. Each summer, 30,000 family audiences welcome the free Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks tour into their neighborhoods across the far north, west, and south sides of the city. The Theater is the leading producer of international work in Chicago and, touring its own plays across North America and abroad to Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, and the Middle East, CST has garnered multiple accolades, including the prestigious Laurence Olivier Award. Emblematic of its role as a global theater, CST spearheaded Shakespeare 400 Chicago, a yearlong international arts and culture festival, which engaged an estimated 1.1 million people through 863 events at 231 locations across the city in 2016—all in celebration of Shakespeare’s 400-year legacy. n BOARD OF DIRECTORS Steven J. Solomon* Criss Henderson* John Rau Chair Stewart S. Hudnut Nazneen Razi Eric Q. Strickland* William R. Jentes* Ingrid Razny Treasurer John P. Kellerw Lance Richards Christie B. Kelly Sheli Z. Rosenbergw* Frank D. Ballantine Richard A. Kent John W. Rowe* Brit J. Bartter* Barbara Malott Kizziah Robert Ryan John Blazey Chase Collins Levey Carole B. Segal Thomas L. Brown Anna Livingston Harvey J. Struthers, Jr. Allan E. Bulley III Judy Loseff Sheila G. Talton Clive Christison Renetta E. McCann Marilynn J. Thoma* Patrick R. Daley Raymond F. McCaskeyw* Gayle R. Tilles Brian W. Duwe Robert G. McLennan William J. Tomazin Philip L. Engelw Jess Merten Donna Van Eekeren Jeanne B. Ettelson Linda K. Myers Pallavi Verma Kevin R. Evanich Madhavan Nayar Priscilla A. (Pam) Walterw* Harve A. Ferrill Christopher O’Brien Ray Whitacre Sonja H. Fischer Dennis Olis* Ava D. Youngblood Richard J. Franke Mark S. Ouweleen* Barbara Gaines* Judith Pierpont * Denotes Executive Committee C. Gary Gerstw* Paulita A. Pike Members M. Hill Hammockw* Richard W. Porter* w Denotes Former Board Chairs Kathryn J. Hayley www.chicagoshakes.com 3 MARY STUART Contents Chicago Shakespeare Theater 800 E. Grand on Navy Pier On the Boards 10 Chicago, Illinois 60611 A selection of notable CST events, plays, and players 312.595.5600 www.chicagoshakes.com ©2018 Conversation with the Director 12 Chicago Shakespeare Theater All rights reserved. ARTISTIC DIRECTOR Cast 19 CARL AND MARILYNN THOMA ENDOWED CHAIR: Barbara Gaines EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: Criss Henderson Playgoer's Guide 20 COVER: K.K. Moggie and Kellie Overbey, photo by Jeff Sciortino Profiles ABOVE: Barbara Robertson and 24 K.K. Moggie, photo by joe mazza A Scholar’s Perspective 34 Part of the John W. and Jeanne M. Rowe Inquiry and Exploration Series www.chicagoshakes.com 5 “WELCOME, Welcome GOOD FRIENDS” –HAMLET, II, ii DEAR FRIENDS, For centuries, palace intrigue has captivated our imaginations. The juxtaposition of the monarchy’s absolute power and reputed omniscience set against the reality of their human frailty and emotional complexity makes for good drama. Today’s production of Schiller’s Mary Stuart explores a royal relationship that caused endless rumor and speculation during Shakespeare’s own time involving Queen Elizabeth I and her ill-fated cousin, Mary, Queen of Scots. This new version of the play by Peter Oswald offers audiences access to a fictitious meeting of these two rulers. United by their lineage and roles in a male-dominated Chicago Shakespeare Theater strives to make its facility and world, yet divided by the political motivations of those surrounding them, theirs is performances accessible to all patrons. You’ll find our staff a complex relationship that is fascinating to explore through a theatrical lens. Jenn Thompson’s fearless direction and the dynamic ensemble of actors that inhabit the is ready to help in any way possible if assistance is required. world she has created make for a spellbinding drama. Simply request accommodations when purchasing your tickets. During the run of Schiller’s Mary Stuart, student audiences will be treated to Shakespeare’s romantic comedy, A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Presented as a • Accessible parking 75-minute abridgment in our new, flexible third theater, The Yard at Chicago Open-captioned • Courtesy wheelchair service Shakespeare, the play will welcome 1,200 audience members each day during its performances run on Navy Pier, followed by a two-week tour to Chicago Public Schools. Our • Wheelchair-accessible student productions and extensive offering of professional training programs and seating Audio-described workshops for English teachers make us a leading partner in literacy for Chicago’s performances with • Close to Pace Paratransit schools. Your patronage helps to make this aspect of our work possible, and for optional Touch Tours drop-off/pick-up that we are truly grateful! • Assistive-listening devices We hope you enjoy today’s show and look forward to welcoming you back ASL Duo-interpreted again soon. n performances • Personal induction neckloops • Large-print programs • Braille programs Barbara Gaines Criss Henderson Steve Solomon Artistic Director Executive Director Chair, Board of Directors Carl and Marilynn Thoma Endowed Chair 312.595.5600 • TTY 312.595.5699 www.chicagoshakes.com/access www.chicagoshakes.com 7 “The greatest new theater in the world ” M –CHICAGO TRIBUNE AARON POSNER and TELLER (of Penn & Teller), creators of the sold-out, A award-winning The Tempest, reunite to spin a C tale of dark magic and ambition. B Since cutting the ribbon for The Yard last September, E audience members have already experienced this TH INNOVATIVE, NEW VENUE in a multitude of ways—from its large and small proscenium configurations to a unique cabaret-like environment, and a courtyard-style thrust stage with runway aisles. THE SEASON CULMINATES THIS SPRING as The Yard TELLER: AARON POSNER: transforms once again for a “We’re trying to put you in “Shakespeare wants people one-of-a-kind production of the same off-kilter position to sit forward and engage Shakespeare’s classic thriller, as Macbeth is to his world. deeply with this haunting MACBETH. When something happens and rich play. Teller and I on stage that seems to are both populists in that defy the rules of physics— we genuinely care that this what’s happening to production—with the magic, you is echoing that and music, and movement— moment in the story.” is available to as many TICKETS ON SALE NOW people as possible.” pictured: Teller and Aaron Posner; Ian Merrill Peakes and Chaon Cross. photos by Michael Brosilow, 312.595.5600 • chicagoshakes.com Chuck Osgood, Jeff Sciortino, MARY STUART CHICAGO SHAKESPEARE THEATER On the Boards ON STAGE IN THE COMMUNITY AROUND THE WORLD BEHIND THE SCENES In December, Macbeth directors On January 24, CST opened the doors Over the years, the work of acclaimed The Artists Breaking Limits and Aaron Posner and Teller, composer of The Yard to students for its latest international artists Peter Brook and Expectations (A.B.L.E.) ensemble Andre Pluess, and instrument designer/ abridged production, Short Shakespeare! Marié-Hélène Estienne has been presented continues its partnership with Chicago consultant Kenny Wollesen met up A Midsummer Night’s Dream. The as part of Chicago Shakespeare’s Shakespeare this May with their in Chicago for a music and magic show is helmed by Jess McLeod, who World’s Stage series. The Theater’s production of Edmond Rostand’s developmental residency. Together with returns to CST after serving as assistant international partnerships like these Cyrano de Bergerac. First performing CST’s artisans and technicians, the team director for Gary Griffin’s production of provide opportunities for Chicago artists Twelfth Night at CST in 2016 as a partner began shaping a haunting soundscape Gypsy in 2014. In past years, Chicago to be exposed and introduced to the in Shakespeare 400 Chicago, this that will underscore the world of this Shakespeare has been proud to serve greatest theater makers of our time. talented group of young adult actors supernatural thriller using found items, 40,000 students and educators annually; Touring here with their 2002 production with cognitive and developmental like Sardinian bells played with a violin now, with an extended seven-week of Le Costume, Brook and Estienne were differences will perform in The Yard on bow and an exercise ball fashioned into run in The Yard, this annual program introduced to Karen Aldridge; during May 17. Together with A.B.L.E. teaching a mallet instrument. Over the past year, will engage thousands more than ever their 2017 tour of Battlefield, which artists and facilitators, performers CST Creative Producer Rick Boynton before. Following its performances on CST co-presented with the Museum of immerse themselves in the play, each and the production’s artistic team have Navy Pier, Midsummer will go on the Contemporary Art, they met Larry Yando.