The Old Globe to Offer THINKING SHAKESPEARE LIVE! Program, 6/15

The Old Globe today announced THINKING SHAKESPEARE LIVE!, a 90-minute presentation exploring the language of Shakespeare, on Saturday, June 15 at 11 a.m. Led by Old Globe Artistic Director Barry Edelstein and assisted by three professional classical actors, this special program based on Edelstein's book, THINKING SHAKESPEARE: A HOW-TO GUIDE FOR STUDENT ACTORS, DIRECTORS, AND ANYONE ELSE WHO WANTS TO FEEL MORE COMFORTABLE WITH THE BARD, will reveal a performer's approach to Shakespearean language so audiences may easily understand the poetry of the Bard. An ideal introduction to Shakespeare for families and young audiences, THINKING SHAKESPEARE LIVE! will take place on the Donald and Darlene Shiley Stage in the Old Globe Theatre, part of the Globe's Conrad Prebys Theatre Center. Tickets are $10 for subscribers and full-time students and $15 for general audiences and can be purchased online at www.TheOldGlobe.org, by phone at (619) 23-GLOBE or by visiting the Box Office at 1363 Old Globe Way in Balboa Park.

"I've devoted a great deal of my career to the notion that Shakespeare's plays entertain, move and edify us more wonderfully than any other works of theater, and yet I know that for some the Bard can be a heavy lift," said Edelstein. "I've put together this program to show that with just a few hints and tricks that are easy to learn and apply, Shakespeare's language can be as immediate and alive as anything in today's paper. THINKING SHAKESPEARE LIVE! is a fun way to start a new relationship with my man William, or to learn new ways to spend time with him."

Just in time for The Old Globe's 2013 Shakespeare Festival, THINKING SHAKESPEARE LIVE! is a fast-paced, funny and altogether fascinating guide to the language of the Bard. In this lively 90-minute program, Old Globe Artistic Director Barry Edelstein, called by NPR "one of the country's leading Shakespeareans," provides audiences a unique opportunity to learn the methods he imparts to professional actors in the rehearsal room. As Edelstein and three skilled actors demonstrate these techniques live on stage, this entertaining behind-the-scenes look at the creative process offers a primer on the tools used to hear and understand Shakespeare. With humor and insight, THINKING SHAKESPEARE LIVE! brings audiences into the intoxicating world of the Bard and shows how his masterful poetry can come to life for everyone.

The three classical actors assisting Edelstein in THINKING SHAKESPEARE LIVE! are Krystel Lucas and Christopher Salazar, who are currently appearing in The Old Globe's Shakespeare Festival, as well as Festival alumnus Jason Maddy.

Old Globe Artistic Director Barry Edelstein is a stage director, producer, author and educator. Widely recognized as one of the leading authorities on the works of Shakespeare in the United States, he has directed nearly half of the Bard's works. As Director of the Shakespeare Initiative at The Public Theater (2008-2012), he oversaw all of the company's Shakespearean productions, as well as its extensive educational, community outreach and artist-training programs. At The Public, Edelstein staged JULIUS CAESAR starring Jeffrey Wright for Shakespeare in the Park and THE MERCHANT OF VENICE featuring Ron Leibman's Obie Award-winning portrayal of Shylock. He was also Associate Producer of The Public's Broadway production of THE MERCHANT OF VENICE starring Al Pacino. From 1998-2003 he was Artistic Director of Classic Stage Company, where he produced and directed some of New York's most memorable classical productions. Edelstein's Shakespearean directorial credits include THE WINTER'S TALE with David Strathairn, TIMON OF ATHENS with Richard Thomas, AS YOU LIKE IT with Gwyneth Paltrow and RICHARD III with John Turturro. His additional credits include the Lucille Lortel Award-winning revival of Arthur Miller's ALL MY SONS; the world premiere of Steve Martin's THE UNDERPANTS, which he commissioned; Molière's THE MISANTHROPE starring Uma Thurman in her stage debut; and the world premiere of novelist Nathan Englander's play THE TWENTY-SEVENTH MAN. Edelstein has taught Shakespearean acting at The Juilliard School, NYU's Graduate Acting Program and the University of Southern California. His book Thinking Shakespeare (called by New Yorkmagazine "a must-read for actors") was published in 2007 and is now the standard text on American Shakespearean acting. He is also the author of BARDISMS: SHAKESPEARE FOR ALL OCCASSIONS.

Krystel Lucas currently appears in the Globe's Shakespeare Festival as Portia in THE MERCHANT OF VENICE and Titania and Hippolyta in A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM. Her previous credits include MACBETH, ALL'S WELL THAT ENDS WELL and DEATH AND THE KING'S HORSEMAN (Oregon Shakespeare Festival), LOVE'S LABOUR'S LOST (Shakespeare in the Parking Lot) and IN THE NEXT ROOM, or the vibrator play (The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis).

Jason Maddy was seen in the 2011 Shakespeare Festival productions of MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING, THE TEMPEST and AMADEUS, and he was also featured in the Globe's recent educational touring production of TWELFTH NIGHT. His other local credits include MACBETH and RICHARD II (Intrepid Shakespeare Company), THE TEMPSET and THE DRESSER (North Coast Repertory Theatre) and ANGELS IN AMERICA (Ion Theatre Company).

Christopher Salazar, a candidate of The Old Globe/University of San Diego Graduate Theatre Program, is currently appearing in his second consecutive Shakespeare Festival. His New York and regional credits also include HAMLET, THE TEMPEST, ROMEO AND JULIET, THE WINTER'S TALE, ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA and LOVE'S LABOUR'S LOST.

LOCATION: The Old Globe is located in San Diego's Balboa Park at 1363 Old Globe Way. There are numerous free parking lots available throughout the park. Valet parking is also available ($10). For additional parking information visit www.BalboaPark.org.

CALENDAR: BE A GOOD LITTLE WIDOW (5/11-6/9), A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM (6/2-9/29), THE MERCHANT OF VENICE (6/9-9/28), THINKING SHAKESPEARE LIVE! (6/15), ROSENCRANTZ AND GUILDENSTERN ARE DEAD (6/16-9/26), THE RAINMAKER (7/13-8/11), DOUBLE INDEMNITY (7/27-8/25).