Othello
Directed by Mikael Burke, written by William Shakespeare
Thursday, April 25th - Sunday, May 19th, 2024
Thursday and Friday at 7:30 p.m.
Saturdays at 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. (Please note there is no 7:30 p.m. show on Saturday, May 11th)
Sundays at 4:00 p.m.
Beware, my lord, of jealousy... Against all odds, a Black man climbs the social ladder of a rigidly homogenous Venice—finding success in politics, military efforts, and even love. At his side, a woman born to status holds firm in her agency, even as her world reduces her to a symbol.
In the words of the director: “balanced atop a knife’s edge between devotion and destruction, this timeless and timely classic challenges all of us to witness how deceptively easy it is to destroy a life when loyalty is tantamount to love, and the world refuses to see beyond ‘us’ versus ‘“them.’”
For the first time, Theatreworks welcomes director Mikael Burke (Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Yale Rep) to helm this essential Shakespearean tragedy not seen on our stage since 1988.
*UCCS students receive free admission to all Theatreworks productions. Contact the Box Office with your student ID number handy to receive your complimentary ticket.
In this play, you'll encounter audible cannon fire, pervasive racism, visual references to the Civil War and Confederacy, instances of physical violence and domestic abuse. Please email Lily DiSilverio at ldisilve@uccs.edu with questions.
If you or someone you love is experiencing domestic violence, National Domestic Violence Hotline advocates are here for you 24/7/365. Resources and information at thehotline.org.
Cast
Alphabetical by last name.
Lavour Addison* (Othello)
Birgitta DePree* (Brabantio & Lodovico)
Rachel Fey (Desdemona)
Michael Lee* (Roderigo & Captain)
Colin Martin* (Iago)
Katie Medved (Emelia & Senator)
Colton Pratt (Cassio)
Sierra Miguela Tune (Bianca & others)
Creative Team
Mikael Burke
| Director
|
Jessica Steffen-Schepers | Stage Manager
|
Debra Kim Sivigny | Costume & Scenic Designer |
Bryse Boynton | Sound Designer |
Eric Watkins
| Lighting Designer |
Skylar Campbell | Asst Stage Manager |
Samantha Egle | Fight/Intimacy Director |
Ellie O'Sullivan | Props Coordinator |
Patty Bizarro | Lead Electrician |
Eric Nova | Sound Engineer |
Max Shulman | Resident Contributing Dramaturg |
Join the Conversation
Scholar & Designer Chats
Thursday evenings, April 25 and May 9, 45 minutes before the show
Casual encounter with designers from the production, as well as scholars expert in questions surrounding our plays! Scenographer Deb Devigny on April 25 and Composer/Sound Designer BRyse Boynton on May 2.
Actor Interchange
After Sunday matinees on May 5 and May 12
Actors from the production discuss their process with enthusiastic audience members.
Community Conversations
After Saturday matinees on April 27 and May 4
Theatre staff, local experts, and community leaders discuss our shared experience of the production.
Prologue
Before the First Sunday matinee, 2:30-3:30 p.m. on April 28
Register for free!
Join Othello director, Mikael Burke, as well as Dr. Max Shulman, director of fall 2024's Henry IV&V, and Artistic Director Caitlin Lowans, director of summer 2023's Taming of the Shrew, for a complex conversation around directing Shakespeare for the contemporary stage, moderated by Dr. Kevin Landis.
The first Saturday of VAPA's production of Men On Boats, 6:00 p.m. on April 27
Register for free!
A conversation that examines the foundational role that our country has given to masculinity within our national identity. From the colonial era, through westward expansion, and into the present era, our definition of masculinity has changed from generation to generation. But, the patriarchal system has remained. How has America's reverence for the masculine held us back, and how can our redefinition of gender lead to a brighter future.
About Prologue: Dr. Kevin Landis curates both national conversations about the theatre and discussions of the productions, before Theatreworks and UCCS Theatre & Dance first Sunday performances, as well as select dates throughout the year.
