Summer is almost over, but there is still time for enjoying some Shakespeare in the park. And thanks to an ongoing partnership between Southern and the Elm Shakespeare Company, an amazing production of the Bard’s Richard III is running every evening in New Haven’s Edgerton Park, through September 1, 2024.
The play explores “the role society plays in creating villains and the cost of political violence on us all.” This year’s production features Lisa Wolpe, an internationally renowned theater artist known for her groundbreaking work on Shakespeare and gender, in the title role of Richard. All performances are free, with a suggested donation of $30.
Elm Shakespeare, recognized as the premiere Shakespeare company in Connecticut and one of the very best in New England, is in residence at Southern, and has been offering free professional outdoor Shakespeare performances in New Haven for nearly 30 years.
The Southern community is deeply interwoven into Elm Shakespeare’s company at various levels, reflecting the true partnership between the two institutions as well as the Theatre Department’s mission “to provide comprehensive theatre training of the highest quality, to foster students’ personal and artistic development, and to emphasize experiential learning and access to the profession.” See below for the many roles Southern Owls play in Richard III.
Elm Shakespeare Board:
Michael Shea, vice president – English Department faculty
Philip Smith, Finance Committee – faculty emeritus in Mathematics Department and dean, vice president, and interim president
Staff:
Maya Lwazi Rose, ’24 – SCSU alumna – interdisciplinary studies major with concentrations in arts administration and cultural advocacy, sociology, and music
Lourdes Rivera, ’23 – SCSU alumna – studio art major
Teaching artists:
Sarah Bowles, director of education – SCSU adjunct faculty
Ben Curns, fight coordinator – SCSU adjunct faculty
Cast:
Cameron Munoz, ’24 – Elm Shakespeare apprentice and current SCSU student – interdisciplinary studies major with concentrations in theatre, psychology, and arts administration and cultural advocacy
Production team:
Rhian Alsgaard, ’25, assistant company manager – senior at SCSU majoring in communication
Trevor Burch, ’23, company manager and understudy – SCSU alumnus – theatre major
Ryleigh Diance Jace Rivas, ’24, technical apprentice coordinator, assistant technical director – former SCSU student – theatre major
Rebecca Welles, ’08, costume designer – SCSU graduate in theatre technology and MA in design from Yale School of Drama in 2012
