OTHELLO

OTHELLO

MAY 19 – JUN 21, 2026
Harman Hall

By William Shakespeare
Directed by Simon Godwin

Simon Godwin directs Wendell Pierce (The Wire, Tom Clancy’s Jack RyanElsbeth) in Shakespeare’s towering tragedy about the power of words to kill. Venice is scandalized when its protector, Othello (Pierce), elopes with a nobleman’s daughter, while his most trusted lieutenant, Iago, seethes after being passed over for a promotion. Vengeful Iago speaks a word and contorts the world: transforming Othello’s faithful wife into an adulteress and upright men into beasts.

Cast

Joey Collins*
Joey Collins*
Brabantio/Salarino, u/s Iago
Olivia Cygan*
Olivia Cygan*
Desdemona
Giovanna Alcântara Drummond*
Giovanna Alcântara Drummond*
Bianca
Melanie Field*
Melanie Field*
Emilia
Derek Garza*
Derek Garza*
Montano/Senator Romano
Lucas Iverson*
Lucas Iverson*
Cassio
Wendell Pierce*
Wendell Pierce*
Othello
Ben Turner*
Ben Turner*
Iago
Daniel Velez*
Daniel Velez*
Roderigo
Jon Beal*
Jon Beal*
Ensemble, u/s Montano/Senator Romano, u/s Cassio
Vish Shukla
Vish Shukla
Ensemble, u/s Ensemble
Cole Sitilides
Cole Sitilides
Ensemble, u/s Roderigo
James Whalen*
James Whalen*
Ensemble, u/s Duke of Venice, u/s Brabantio/Salarino
Em Whitworth*
Em Whitworth*
Ensemble, u/s Desdemona, u/s Emilia
Craig Wallace*
Craig Wallace*
u/s Othello

Full Cast List

Brabantio/Salarino, u/s Iago: Joey Collins*
Desdemona: Olivia Cygan*
Bianca: Giovanna Alcântara Drummond*
Emilia: Melanie Field*
Montano/Senator Romano: Derek Garza*
Cassio: Lucas Iverson*
Othello: Wendell Pierce*
Iago: Ben Turner*
Roderigo: Daniel Velez*
Ensemble, u/s Montano/Senator Romano, u/s Cassio: Jon Beal*
Ensemble, u/s Ensemble: Vish Shukla
Ensemble, u/s Roderigo: Cole Sitilides
Ensemble, u/s Duke of Venice, u/s Brabantio/Salarino: James Whalen*
Ensemble, u/s Desdemona, u/s Emilia: Em Whitworth*
u/s Othello: Craig Wallace*

Artistic Team

Director: Simon Godwin
Scenic & Co-Costume Designer: Susan Hilferty
Co-Costume Designer: Sarita Fellows
Lighting Designer: Jen Schriever
Sound Designer: Christopher Shutt
Wig & Hair Designer: Satellite Wigs, Inc.
Composer: Shiloh Coke
Choreographer: Jonathan Goddard
Fight Choreographer: Robb Hunter
Production Stage Manager: Laura Smith*
Assistant Stage Manager: Lauren Pekel*, Delaney Clare Dunster*

* Member of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers.

Wendell Pierce to lead the cast of Simon Godwin’s OTHELLO in 25/26 Season

We are pleased to announce that Simon Godwin will direct Wendell Pierce (Elsbeth, Selma, Death of a Salesman, The Wire) in the titular role of Shakespeare’s towering tragedy, Othello, at Harman Hall.

Pierce spoke with CBS Sunday Morning about his life and career, role in Elsbeth currently airing on CBS, and revealed his plans to perform Othello with STC, and as editor Perry White in the new Superman movie.

“I am thrilled we can officially announce that Wendell Pierce will be returning to STC next season in my new production of Othello,” says STC Artistic Director Simon Godwin. “Wendell is a masterful classical actor and has the charisma and consummate craft to play one of Shakespeare’s greatest and most tragic creations. I am delighted to be collaborating with Wendell in Washington on this towering masterpiece.”

Pierce was last seen at STC in The Witch of Edmonton in 1987.

Othello is one of six plays in the 25/26 Season, which also includes Merry Wives, The Wild Duck, Guys and Dolls, On Beckett, Hamnet, plus special add-on Paranormal Activity: A New Story Live on Stage.

Sponsors

Corporate Sponsors
AARP
The UPS Foundation

Additional Support
Betsy & Ed Cohen/Arete
Sandy & Jon Willen

Production Sponsors
Anita Antenucci
Michael Beriss & Jean Carlson
Erkiletian Family Foundation
Barbara Harman & William Cain
Alka & Sudhakar Kesavan
Abbe Lowell & Molly Meegan
Melissa Moss & Jonathan Silver
Mr. & Mrs. Geoffrey Pohanka
The Shrivastava Family
Carolyn Wheeler

All shows, artists, venues, and dates are subject to change.