Actors' Shakespeare Project Cast OTHELLO Cast, Creative Team

Actors' Shakespeare Project (ASP) announces casting for their first production of the 2015-16 "Affairs of the Heart" season: William Shakespeare's Othello September 23- October 25 at The Modern Theatre at Suffolk University, 525 Washington Street, Boston. Preview performances run Wednesday-Friday, September 23-25, 2015 at 7:30 pm. Opening Night is Saturday, September 26 at 8 pm. Performances are Wednesday, Thursdays, and Fridays, 7:30 pm; Saturdays, 3 pm (not Sept. 26) & 8 pm; and Sundays, 2 pm (Press Performance is Saturday, September 26, 2015 at 8 pm(click here to RSVP). Tickets are $28-$50 ($15 student rush) and can be purchased at actorsshakespeareproject.org, 866.811.4111, or at the theater, although selection may be limited. Season subscriptions are available online, or via ASP's Patron Services team at 617.776.2200 x225 or boxoffice@actorsshakespeareproject.org.

Othello is a searing and operatic tale of envy and manipulation, wherein Shakespeare gives us an intimate look into a Machiavellian mind. "Everyone in the world of this play is in some way betrayed by their own assumptions of their place within their relationships," says Director Bridget Kathleen O'Leary. "The play begins with Othello's betrayal of Iago and continues with Desdemona's betrayal of her father. And it goes on from there."

Adds O'Leary, who is New Repertory Theatre's Associate Artistic Director and also a lecturer at Northeastern University, "ASP's production approaches the tale as a tragic story about love, friendship, betrayal--the destructiveness of jealousy and suspicion, and the conflicting ways ambition and trust can impact those in positions of authority."

The cast features Resident Acting Company Members (RAC) Johnnie McQuarley* (Othello), Jennie Israel* (Emilia), and John Kuntz* (Iago). Rounding out the cast are Elle Borders (Bianca and Montana), Josephine Elwood (Desdemona), Tom Grenon (Gratiano, Clown & Duke), Ross MacDonald* (Cassio), and Bari Robinson (Roderigo and Lodovico). The creative team includes Eric Levenson (Set Designer)**, Tyler Kinney (Costume Designer), Chris Brusberg (Lighting Designer), and David Reiffel (Sound Designer)**.

Open Rehearsal is Saturday, September 12, 2015 11am-12pm at The Modern Theatre at Suffolk University. Event is free, but please RSVP to boxoffice@actorsshakespeareproject.org.

ArtWeek Event

Celebrate ArtWeek with discounted tickets to an inside look at Othello when you attend the 3pm matinee on Saturday, October 3 and stay after for a 30-minute post-show discussion about what you just experienced. Buy your tickets at boxoffice@actorsshakespeareproject.org or actorsshakespeareproject.org/purchase-tickets and use the code "ArtWeek15" for $15 tickets (good for the October 3 matinee only).

Ticketing & Post Show Discussions

Tickets are $28-$50 ($15 student rush) and can be purchased at actorsshakespeareproject.org, 866.811.4111, or at the theater, although selection may be limited. Season subscriptions are available online, or via ASP's Patron Services team at 617.776.2200 x225 or boxoffice@actorsshakespeareproject.org.

Senior discount tickets are $3 off of regular price. Groups of 10+ may reserve seats for select performances via ASP's Patron Services at 617.776.2200 x225 or groups@actorsshakespeareproject.org.

Student matinees are October 1, 7, 8, 14, 15, 21 and 22 at 10 am. Post show discussions take place each Sunday after the 2pm matinee and all 10am student matinees.

ASP Education and Youth Programs

Othello represents the eighth consecutive year that an ASP production has been part of Shakespeare in American Communities, a program of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest. ASP received a grant to support performance-related educational projects around Othello.

ASP's first performance project of the season will mirror the professional production with a youth-directed production of Othello September 14-November 25. The young cast will meet Mondays & Thursdays 5-8pm and Saturdays 12-4 with shows the final week.

ASP's SWAT (Shakespeare Weapons and Tactics Team) team of teaching artists will deliver pre and post show workshops to several area schools attending our student matinees of Othello. The aim is to get Shakespeare on its feet and extend the learning experience.

ASP and Suffolk University

Actors' Shakespeare Project is pleased to highlight a long-standing partnership with Suffolk University this fall through our special events and project work.

Suffolk Community Night: Thursday, October 1, 2015

The Suffolk and ASP communities celebrate their partnership with a pre-show reception and special post-show conversation. General public encouraged to join. Discounted tickets for anyone with a Suffolk ID.

Veteran's Upward Bound Event: Date TBD

Suffolk University's Veteran's Upward Bound Program will be invited to attend designated show of Othello and participate in a post-show conversation about the military culture and relationships in Othello. Discounted tickets for any and all veterans.

Actors' Shakespeare Project is an award-winning professional theater company with a Resident Acting Company and extensive education, youth and community programs. ASP performs and works in found spaces, schools, theaters and neighborhoods to present and explore the robust language, resonant stories, and deeply human characters in Shakespeare's plays and in works by other great playwrights. Our work is ensemble-based and focused on intimacy, storytelling, language, relationships, voice, risk and artistry within and throughout the Boston area. For more information visit actorsshakespeareproject.org.

*A Member of the Actors' Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers in the United States.

**Member of United Scenic Artists Local 82