NextStop Theatre's Re-Imagined RICHARD III to Run 1/30-2/23

NextStop Theatre Company continues its inaugural professional season with a new vision for William Shakespeare's Richard III, running January 30-February 23, 2014. Directed by Dr. Lindsey D. Snyder, this production re-imagines Shakespeare's most deliciously evil villain as an ambitious Deaf man, ruthlessly seeking power in an hearing world. The cast will be led by Ethan Sinnott (Gallaudet University) playing the title role of Richard.

"We are honored and overjoyed to be working with Lindsey and thrilled to be integrating such talented Deaf actors from Gallaudet and the DC theatre community into our company," says Producing Artistic Director, Evan Hoffmann. "The re-imagining of Richard as a Deaf man will bring new meaning and insight to one of Shakespeare's most complex villains. I have no doubt that Lindsey's vision for this show will have a powerful effect on hearing and non-hearing audiences alike."

Snyder is a highly respected scholar, actor, director and ASL interpreter, who has worked extensively around DC, with organizations such as the Kennedy Center, Ford's Theatre, Imagination Stage, Synetic Theatre, and Studio Theatre. She also serves as an Adjunct Professor at Gallaudet University and is Director of Access and Inclusion for Faction of Fools Theatre Company.

Sinnott is an Associate Professor at Gallaudet University and serves as Program Director for the Theatre Department, where he teaches directing and scenic design and works as an advocate for Deaf theatre. He has also designed for several theatre companies around DC, including Faction of Fools, Imagination Stage, and Signature Theatre.

Sinnott will be joined by Daniel Corey (1st Stage, American Century, Rorschach) as Richmond/Shadow Richard, Rachel Spicknall Mulford (Faction of Fools) as Lady Anne, Carolyn Kashner (Keegan, Olney, WSC) as Queen Elizabeth, and Sun King Davis (Shakespeare Theatre, Keegan, WSC) as Buckingham. Rounding out the cast will be Zach Brewster-Geisz, Ben Lauer, Sandra Mae Frank, Kevin Collins, Charles Ainsworth, Bill Fleming, Marilyn Bennett, and Mary Suib.

Richard III will also feature the work of an all-star collection of top DC area designers and theatre professionals, including JD Madsen (scenic design), Sarah Tundermann (lighting design), Erin Nugent (costume design), Stan Harris (sound design), Casey Kaleba (fight direction), and Kristen Pilgrim (properties design). Theresa Bender is the Production Manager with Samantha Owens serving as Production Stage Manager.