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DIRECTOR'S NOTE

“We are the stuff as dreams are made on” – Prospero

The Tempest is considered by many to be the pinnacle of Shakespeare’s Romances, the group of plays written toward the end of his career. While studying theatre at Mount Union, in our Shakespeare class we read The Tempest as part of our studies that semester. Our class had the opportunity to attend a production of the play with the Great Lakes Shakespeare Festival, now known as Great Lakes Theater.

In seeing and reading the play, I have always been struck by its humor, its pathos, and is drama. Through its beautiful poetry about redemption and forgiveness, Shakespeare breaks away from traditional forms by his blending of comedy and tragedy. He juxtaposes the ridiculousness of the clowns Trinculo and Stephano against the pain and loss of both Prospero and Alonso.

The production you will see with us, draws its inspiration from the Impressionist Period of art. Just as Shakespeare broke away from the traditional comic and tragic format; artists like Monet and Renoir also broke away from prevailing realistic style of the time with a change in subject matter and style. Working to create a greater sense of emotion, these artists focused on capturing light and shadow and creating a stronger sense of color. They turned the art world on its side , as I’m sure Shakespeare did with the world of the stage during his time.

Shakespeare’s blend of the comic and tragic creates a greater emotional depth to the work. The multiple story lines help to compliment each other giving a stronger emotional “color” to the play. So I hope you enjoy Rubber City Shakespear Company’s The Tempest as much as I have while working with this wonderful company.

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR'S NOTE

Shakespeare's last solo play is The Tempest. When deciding the plays for our fourth season and for the celebration of 400 years snice Shakespeare's death, I knew that this play had to be apart of our season. This play is regraded by some as semi-autobiographical of Shakespeare's life and career. I hope you enjoy our production and our continued celebration of Shakespeare's 400th anniversary of his death. 

ONSTAGE DECEMBER 2-18, 2016