Seattle Public Theater Youth to Present LEAR, 10/31-11/8

Seattle Public Theater (SPT) Youth presents Lear, a powerful and timely new edit of William Shakespeare's King Lear directed by SPT Artistic and Education Director, Shana Bestock.

FIVE [free] performances: October 31st @ 7pm, November 1st @ 7pm, November 2nd@ 2pm, November 7th @ 7pm and November 8th @ 7pm at the historic Bathhouse Theater on Green Lake. Admission to all Youth performances is free to the community. Donations are encouraged to support SPT's Theater Youth Program and to offer student tuition assistance.

It only takes a momentary mistake to fracture a family, ruin a nation, and destroy a mind. What on earth happened in that moment? Why can't it be taken back or fixed? Who is to blame for the fatal consequences? Drawn from Shakespeare's timeless tragedy, Lear is a wrenching story rich in psychological complexity, told in the Bard's glorious and powerful language. Lear explores the damage one mistake can do to the hearts and minds of families and nations.

"I've chosen to concentrate on the elements of King Lear most immediate to me and my ensemble of young artists," says director Shana Bestock. "We're looking at family and legacy, for starters-exploring what makes for great leadership and asking one another questions about self-awareness, self-consciousness, self-actualization and what it means to see oneself honestly, and through the eyes of others."

Why Lear, why now? "SPT's Youth Program is maturing and I have the opportunity to give young artists the tools to open doors for others," Bestock explains. "That's the privilege of age and organizational maturity - the ability to step back while striding forward at the same time. The maturity of SPT Youth Program actors is also deepening, and I know I can count on getting some terribly smart, fearless, ambitious, sensitive, and hard-working teenagers through the door."

Lear is directed by Shana Bestock. The production features the acting talents of Anna Klein, Chloe Swedberg, Christian Hinrichsen, Duncan Weinland, Inga Phlegar, Joe Moore, Karinna Gerhardt, Kayla Brooks, Mitzi Adler-Wachter, Nathanial Mascis, Noah Rose, Nora Hammen, Olivia Sterne, Oscar Loveless, Rachel Rosenbloom and Sarah Wood. Lear is stage managed by Gabriel Klein and assistant stage managed by Julia Schoemig with Finn Hammen and Eileen MacDonald on Run Crew. Lear's production staff features Props Design by Leela Berman and Sound Design by Sophia Bondi.

Performance features ensemble Grades 9-12.

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