Classics in Context
To create a new approach to dialogue and an innovative method of exchange, the Shakespeare Theatre Company’s Director of Education, Gregory Smith invited some of the city’s leading players in the arts and political spectrum to respond to the work created onstage at the Shakespeare Theatre Company. Classics in Context fulfills the audience’s desire for discussion with a new perspective and approach toward criticism. The panel will consist of three regular contributors as well as guest speakers specific to the production. All will be reacting to the work of the company in a roundtable format with our audience. The 2008/2009 panelists include:  John Aravosis is the editor of AMERICAblog.com, a blog about U.S. politics from a liberal perspective. Aravosis has lived in D.C. for 20 years, starting as a law student and graduate student at Georgetown, and working his way through the U.S. Senate, the World Bank and the Children's Defense Fund; he now edits one of the top political blogs in the United States. Aravosis’ experience in Shakespeare amounts to a whopping one class in college where he almost failed because he finds the names of all the characters just a tad too silly to remember.
Amanda Maddox is assistant curator of photography and media arts at the Corcoran Gallery of Art. She previously interned in the curatorial department of Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art [MASSMoCA] and assisted in the conservation of the Walker Evans Archive at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Photographic exhibitions to which she has contributed include Chance Encounters: Photographs from the Collection of Norman Carr and Carolyn Kinder Carr, Regarding the Rural and Richard Avedon: Portraits of Power. She received a B.A. in English Literature from Brown University, where she graduated magna cum laude, and an MPhil in the History of Photography from University of St. Andrews in Scotland.  Christopher K. Morgan is a choreographer, performer and arts facilitator who divides his time between New York and Washington, D.C. Said to be "charming and poignant" by The New York Times, his choreography has been presented in Germany, Lithuania, Ireland, Poland, Hong Kong and venues throughout the United States. In 2007, Morgan was named Choreographer in Residence and Rehearsal Director for D.C.-based CityDance Ensemble, for whom he continues to direct and create work. Since 2005 he has been creating work through his New York-based pick-up dance company Muse. Teaching credits include the Hong Kong Academy of Performing Arts, Shawbrook (Ireland), Iwanson Schule (Munich), Stephens College, Western Kentucky University Performing credits include David Gordon, Fabulous Beast Dance Theater (Ireland/UK), Malashock Dance and Co., Verb Ballets, Selfish Shellfish (Germany), and as a soloist with the Washington National, Houston Grand, San Diego and New York City Operas. He continues to work as a Guest Artist for the Liz Lerman Dance Exchange.
 Gregory S. Smith joined the Shakespeare Theatre Company as director of education in September 2007. He oversees all aspects of the Company’s education programming. Previously he served as the director of education for the Tony Award-winning Children’s Theatre Company in Minneapolis, MN. At The Children’s Theatre Company, Smith managed the expansion of the McGuire Education Center and a three-year federal grant to develop and nationally disseminate the theatre’s Neighborhood Bridges education program. He has also held positions as education outreach director of the SteppingStone Theatre for Youth Development, director and facilitator for the TOUCH program at the ILLUSION Theatre and house services manager for the Historic State and Orpheum Theatres. As an actor his roles include: The Butcher in Suzan-Lori Park’s F****ing A, Jim in Big River, the Biggs men in The Kentucky Cycle, Father in Kia Corthran’s Splash Hatch on the E Going Down and Giogui Diop in The Beggar’s Strike.
Dates Please note: Classics in Context begins approximately 15 minutes after the end of the matinee performance. After the production has opened, check with the Box Office for the exact start time. Romeo and Juliet
October 4, 2008
The Forum in Sidney Harman Hall The Way of the World
October 25, 2008
The Patron’s Lounge in Sidney Harman Hall
The Patron’s Lounge is located on the left-side of the orchestra level of Harman Hall, beyond the exhibition cases. Twelfth Night
January 3, 2009
The Forum in Sidney Harman Hall The Dog in the Manger
March 7, 2009
The Forum in Sidney Harman Hall Ion
April 4, 2009
The Forum in Sidney Harman Hall Design for Living
June 6, 2009
The Forum in Sidney Harman Hall King Lear
July 11, 2009
The Forum in Sidney Harman Hall |