Ducdame Ensemble Partners with International Shakespeare Center of Santa Fe, New Mexico

Ducdame Ensemble, the New York-based theatre company, has announced a partnership with the International Shakespeare Center of Santa Fe, New Mexico.

In their initial collaboration, The International Shakespeare Center (ISC) will produce Ducdame Ensemble's DAMES OF THRONES: THE WOMEN OF SHAKESPEARE'S HISTORIES, at Santa Fe's Adobe Rose Theatre this coming February. This original production will draw on Shakespeare's history plays including RICHARD III, HENRY IV - VI, and KING JOHN. DAMES OF THRONES will be part of a month-long celebration of Shakespeare sparked by the New Mexico Museum of Art exhibit The First Folio! The Book That Gave Us Shakespeare, supported by the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, DC. ISC Associate Artistic Director and Ducdame Ensemble Founding Member Ariana Karp will direct.

Ducdame Ensemble was founded by graduates of the Masters Degree in Classical Acting program from London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA). The company's inaugural USA production, a new adaptation of Lope de Vega's FUENTE OVEJUNA, was presented in this year's NY International Fringe Festival. The production was named a "Best Bet" by theasy.com, in addition to receiving universal rave reviews. FUENTE OVEJUNA was awarded the 2015 FringeNYC Overall Excellence Award for Best Direction.

ISC Board member, Kristin Bundesen says, "We are thrilled to have the Ducdame Ensemble come to Santa Fe as part of our First Folio February celebration. Their training and the quality of their work is superb, as witnessed by their recent FringeNYC award." Bundesen continues, "Ducdame's commitment and creativity when approaching Shakespeare's text is in perfect alignment with ISC's goals."

The International Shakespeare Center cultivates an understanding and love of Shakespeare by partnering with international, national, and local organizations. In February, in conjunction with the First Folio's visit to Santa Fe, the ISC will welcome faculty from the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, Ducdame Ensemble's alma mater, including Principal Joanna Read, Head of Drama Rodney Cottier, and Head of Voice Judith Phillips. Through these and future events, the ISC connects local experience and enthusiasm with global resources, making Santa Fe a destination for a comprehensive Shakespeare experience.

More information about DAMES OF THRONES and the LAMDA events at the ISC can be found at www.internationalshakespeare.center.