Shakespeare in Detroit
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SiD productions feature gorgeous costumes by Cal Schwartz. Photo by Dawn Hamilton.
estate and I know we will play a major role in the revitalization of East Jefferson in Detroit and the Riverfront, as the arts is the greatest catalyst for building communities. I try to explain to people here all the time that Shakespeare isn’t just about literature and theatre. It is also about commerce. Places like the Oregon Shakespeare Festival and the Stratford Festival (Stratford, Ontario) have created towns around them with entities that include banks, homes, grocery stores, restaurants, schools and libraries. “Now that Shakespeare in Detroit has a home, we have the opportunity to become a worldwide tourist attraction and bring people from around the globe to the city, which will enhance the other industries here. How many businesses can say they have more than 400 years of proven consumer engagement? We can. It’s all very exciting. We are hopeful that renovations will be complete by 2020.” Do you have any dreams for Shakespeare productions in the city that you have yet to fulfil? “I want to do Titus. That is a huge dream of mine. I will also put this out into the universe – I want Robert Englund to come to Detroit and play our King Lear when we open the new space. He is a classically trained actor who just so happened to become a horror film icon, but we want him to come to Detroit and play the greatest role in the
canon, in my opinion. It would be a dream to have him with us. I hope he reads this. How cool would that be? I also hope that Shakespeare in Detroit can venture into new works. Shakespeare will always be our foundation but the idea of producing work by new writers, maybe some local writers, also inspires us. We want to be a well-rounded theatre company that embraces the classics and the classics of the future.” Is there any chance of getting you guys over to the UK any time soon? If so, which play would you stage for us? “I would love that. The Royal Shakespeare Company is a benchmark for me. The sort of inclusive, bold work that they do continues to be a benchmark for SiD. Maybe we can be in residence there one day. How epic would that be? “I would love to do a Romeo and Juliet infused with Motown Hits. This city has produced some of the greatest love songs of all time. It would be pretty monumental to do a contemporary R&J and bring some of the music that is celebrated both here and in the UK to the RSC. I would love to direct that. Make that happen for me, Pat?”
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Find out more about Sam and Shakespeare in Detroit. shakespeare magazine
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