There's much ado about something new in the Rochester theater scene. The Rochester Shakespeare Theatre organization is working to make Shakespearean works more accessible. The group's bylaws state its mission is "to produce and perform Shakespeare and Shakespeare related works, of excellent quality, with local talent, to entertain and educate the community, and enhance quality of life in the greater Rochester area, and to engage and develop community artists, crafts persons, and dedicated supporters of the arts.
" The Rochester Shakespeare Theatre presented its first production last summer when they performed "Twelfth Night" in the Rochester Civic Theatre Black Box. Since then, the group has offered a variety of classes including Shakespeare performance classes offered by Will Sturdivant, who has performed many Shakespearean roles at the Great River Shakespeare Festival, the Guthrie Theatre, and off-Broadway. In July, they recently offered classes in stage combat, including fencing, with certified instructor Mike Speck.
"We want to produce and perform Shakespeare and related works, and do them well," says Rebecca Brokaw-Sands, the founder, board president and managing director of the Rochester Shakespeare Theatre. "We want to educate in the craft of theater and performance in general, and Shakespeare in particular, equipping artists with the skills they need to present excellent work, and equipping the audience with knowledge and understanding to thoroughly enjoy what's being presented." The group meets and performs wherever they can find space.
"We've worked with Rochester Civic Theatre, Rochester Repertory Theatre, and Peace United Church," says Brokaw-Sands. After the group's classes with Sturdivant, actors Travis Doktor, Emilie Pentico, Alex O'Brien, Christian Tamar and Chad Campbell, in addition to Brokaw-Sands, presented monologues from “The Two Gentlemen of Verona” and “The Tragedy of Macbeth” along with scenes from “A Midsummer Night's Dream” and “Much Ado About Nothing” on the new Rochester Repertory Theatre stage this past July. "In the last several years, the Rochester theatre scene has exploded with opportunities," says Brokaw-Sands, listing the Rochester Civic Theatre, The Rochester Repertory Theatre, Calliope Theatre Company, Absolute Theatre, That Theatre Company and Once and Future Classics as offering many opportunities for local actors and theatre lovers.
"I love how supportive the theatre community in town is. I love that we have so many opportunities that offer different things. We each have something unique to offer, we're offering Shakespeare, and chances to build the skills to perform and appreciate Shakespeare and theatre.
" ADVERTISEMENT Brokaw-Sands' passion for Shakespeare is obvious. She describes Shakespeare's works as timeless and including topics for all tastes. "Not only is the language gorgeous," says Brokaw-Sands, "but it grapples with the big themes of humanity: life, death, love, loss, grief, sex, betrayal, family, friendship, mortality, honesty, deceit, humor, wit, ambition, fun, everything that is humanity, that makes us human, is in there, big and small, serious and humorous, it's there.
" She jokes that Shakespeare was the "original HBO." For Brokaw-Sands, theatre is important for the community because it does more than simply entertain. "It educates us," she says.
"It challenges us. It inspires us. It allows us to encounter experiences and perspectives and truths other than our own, and examine them, and apply them to our lives to make us better.
It provides a safe environment for us to consider thoughts and emotions and ideas we may not elsewhere. To question ourselves, and better understand and improve life for everyone. And it's fun.
" Rochester Shakespeare Theatre is planning more classes for the fall and might plan a trip to see “Drunk Shakespeare” in Chicago where one actor has at least five shots of whiskey and then attempts to act in a Shakespearean play. The group will also hold auditions this winter for a production of “Much Ado About Nothing” in the Spring of 2025. "Anyone is welcome to join us and learn and have fun," says Brokaw-Sands.
"We are always looking for board members and volunteers to help with things like writing grants, finding sponsors and donors, or even just helping out with things like marketing or ushering for performances." To learn more about the Rochester Shakespeare Theatre visit their website at www.rochestershakespearetheatre.
com . You can also follow them on Facebook or Instagram at Rochester Shakespeare. "I've encountered a lot of people who say they don't like Shakespeare, and I honestly think it's because most people have a horrible high school induction into the deep end with little explanation," says Brokaw-Sands.
She is hoping more Rochesterites will give Shakespeare a chance and might come to love it as much as she does. "Everyone has encountered something addressed in Shakespeare at some point in their life, " she says. "It's big and it's relatable and it's beautiful and it's funny and it's sad and it's human.
...
I love it.".
