WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE’S THE MERCHANT OF VENICE PRESS KIT ELEMENTS THEATRE COMPANY ELEMENTS THEATRE COMPANY PRESENTS A POUND OF FLESH: EXPLORING QUALITIES OF MERCY WHEN ENCOUNTERING “THE OTHER” A SERIES OF PERFORMANCES, PANEL DISCUSSIONS, AND WORKSHOPS INSPIRED BY WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE’S THE MERCHANT OF VENICE WELCOME TO ELEMENTS THEATRE COMPANY Sr. Danielle Dwyer, Artistic Director DEAR FRIENDS, Welcome to The Merchant of Venice; A Pound of Flesh Series. The Merchant of Venice is an uncomfortable and confrontational play in practically every scene. There is no denying the hate, the prejudice, and the blatant superiority that seeps through most every character. Frank Underwood, Kevin Spacey’s character in House of Cards, has this to say: “Hate starts in your gut, deep down here, where it stirs and churns and then it rises, hate rises fast and volcanic, it erupts hot on the breath.” This would be true for many characters in this play. There is not one kind or gentle soul here, and all have joined the ranks of hate and prejudice. The actor’s work is to inhabit their character and flesh them, fully and authentically. In doing so, Shakespeare’s story once again lives and breathes in a new space to a new audience, who desires to hear his enlightening words. “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” —Martin Luther King, Jr. Shakespeare most definitely brought light to a dark subject. Looking at this dark and destructive emotion through this story, facing into this ravenous element we bring to our relationships, offers us a horizon of new choices. There is no magic answer, and hate is ugly and heavy, but this story shines truth on the human relationships that live in small communities, in larger cities, in even larger countries bridging to nations. If we can start in ourselves, looking at who we are and what we choose, then that recognition no longer stays as benign acceptance, but becomes an active agent for change. All the best, Sr. Danielle Dwyer ELEMENTS THEATRE COMPANY THE MERCHANT OF VENICE BY WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE SCENIC DESIGN SOUND DESIGN Sarah Andre, Anna Mitchell, Dan Pfeiffer Br. Christopher Swidrak COSTUME DESIGN PRODUCTION Rebecca Lussier, Gail Gibson, STAGE MANAGER Michelle Rich Sr. Mercy Minor LIGHTING DESIGN TECHNICAL DIRECTOR Scott Stipetic, Tom Lynch Christopher Kanaga VOICE AND TEXT COACH Elizabeth Ingram DIRECTED BY Sr. Danielle Dwyer CAST (IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE) Antonio....................................................................Christopher Kanaga Salanio, Balthazaar ....................................................Sr. Phoenix Catlin Bassanio ...........................................................................James Bocock Lorenzo ....................................................................................Peter Haig Gratiano, Aragon ............................................................... Kyle Norman Portia .........................................................................Rachel McKendree Nerissa ............................................................................. Stephanie Haig Shylock .......................................................................Sr. Danielle Dwyer Launcelot, Tubal, Morrocco, Duke .................................Brad Lussier Jessica, Servingmen in 1.2 .......................................Heather Norman ADDITIONAL STAFF Set Construction .......................Paul Moore, Soren Spatzeck-Olsen Set Painters ...................................................... Lexa Hale, Roger Snure Makeup/Hair Stylists ...................................... Sandra Spatzeck-Olsen Ashley Schuman, Katie Tingley Tour Stage Crew ........................................Christy Haig, Amy Mitchell Sr. Huai-Kuang Miao, Paul Moore, Soren Spatzeck-Olsen Br. John Henderson, Sr. Rosemary Ingwersen Br. Stephen Velie, Rebecca Lussier, Michael Hale A POUND OF FLESH: EXPLORING QUALITIES OF MERCY WHEN ENCOUNTERING “THE OTHER” A Series of Performances, Panel Discussions, Workshops, and Post-Show Conversations Inspired by William Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice January 24-February 24, 2015 New York City & Chicago Elements Theatre Company presents the 2015 “Arts in Conversation” series, an annual program launched in 2013 that brings together leaders in the arts, education, religion, media and social outreach to create public dialogue on the power of the arts to humanize our culture. As a theatre company, our core mission is to educate and illuminate through the honest exploration of classical and classically-rooted modern theatre. We believe that theatre provides a mirror for ourselves and our society, creating a possibility for meaningful exchange over ideas that matter most deeply. In our experience, reconciliation and transformation are only possible when we clearly see and name the issues that divide us. This winter, we present Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice as a springboard for thought-provoking conversation on “the other” in our society today. In a world torn by hatred and prejudice of many kinds, we can feel powerless to create any real change. But by creating a space for exchange, reflection, and even disagreement, we might discover truths at the core of the issues. These insights might be frightening or surprising, but they can also ignite real change. In the Pound of Flesh series, distinguished guest panelists and the Elements cast will consider: What drives Shylock (and other “outsiders”) to such extreme measures? In what ways could we be responsible for creating a climate of persecution, rather than acceptance? What are the qualities of mercy that might turn the tide of violence, in our culture and in our relationships? CO-PRESENTERS IN CHICAGO INCLUDE: Elaine and Zollie Frank Theater at the Mayer Kaplan Jewish Community Center Chicago Theological Seminary KAM Isaiah Israel Synagogue Chicago Public Library Dominican University SCHEDULE OF EVENTSEVENTS: CHICAGO FEBRUARY 15-16 FEBRUARY 19 The Merchant of Venice, followed by Workshop: Shakespeare’s Sonnets Panel Discussion 6:30-8pm February 15, 7pm Guest Panelists: Chicago Public Library (Lincoln Belmont Branch) • Rev. Lillian Daniel • Rabbi Evan Moffic 1659 West Melrose Street, Chicago • Fr. Michael Sparough, SJ The Merchant of Venice FEBRUARY 22-23 February 16, 2:30pm The Merchant of Venice followed by Elaine and Zollie Frank Theater, Mayer Kaplan JCC Panel Discussion 5050 Church Street, Skokie February 22, 7pm Guest Panelists: • Rabbi Niles Goldstein FEBRUARY 17 • Michael Shapiro Scenes from The Merchant of Venice followed by • Danielle Dwyer, CJ Panel Discussion • Manya Brachear Pashman, Moderator 12-1:30pm The Merchant of Venice followed by post-show Chicago Theological Seminary conversation 1407 E. 60th St., Chicago February 23, 2pm Guest Panelists: Dominican University Performing Arts Center • Rabbi Frederick Reeves • Rev. Lillian Daniel 7900 West Division St., River Forest • Danielle Dwyer, CJ • Elements Theatre Company Actors FEBRUARY 18 Scenes from The Merchant of Venice followed by Panel Discussion 7pm KAM Isaiah Israel Synagogue 1100 East Hyde Park Blvd, Chicago Guest Panelists: • Michael Shapiro • Fr. Michael Sparough, SJ • Rabbi Frederick Reeves • Danielle Dwyer, CJ GUEST PANELISTS: CHICAGO Michael Shapiro Michael Shapiro was professor of English and director of the Jewish studies program at the University of Illinois. For the last five years he has been a visiting professor at Loyola. He has written two books and many articles on Elizabethan drama, including several essays on The Merchant of Venice, and he is currently coediting a collection of essays on Jewish artistic responses to the play. He and his wife Elizabeth live in the South Loop. Rabbi Evan Moffic Rabbi Evan Moffic joined Congregation Solel in July 2009 at age 31, after serving three years at Chicago Sinai Congregation. He graduated with high honors from Stanford University in 2000 with a major in history and a senior thesis on Louis Brandeis and the American Zionist movement. He is one of the country’s youngest senior rabbis in the Reform Movement. He has been a guest lecturer at numerous Jewish centers and synagogues around the country and invited to speak to a variety of interfaith groups. His scholarly works have been published in a wide range of journals, newspapers and magazines. Rabbi Moffic is married to Rabbi Arielle Poster Moffic, who is the Director of InterfaithFamily / Chicago. They are the proud parents of two children, Hannah and Tamir. Rev. Lillian Daniel Lillian Daniel is a pastor, teacher, writer, and speaker whose honesty and wit have taken her from the National Cathedral in Washington D.C. to the Festival of Homiletics in Denmark. Wherever she goes, Lillian brings a deep understanding of scripture and how it can be practically applied to everyday life. Equally as comfortable in convention centers, classrooms, and lecture halls as in church pulpits, Lillian has spoken at Duke Chapel, Princeton Seminary King’s College London, and Queen’s University Ontario. She has taught preaching Chicago Theological Seminary, the University of Chicago Divinity School, and at her alma mater, Yale Divinity School, where she received the 2010 distinguished alumni award for “Distinction in Congregational Ministry.” Her most recent book, When Spiritual But Religious Is Not Enough: Seeing God in Surprising Places, Even the Church (Jericho, 2014), makes a provocative case for why religious community matters. Featured in the New York Times and by PBS, it has been