Upstart Crows of Santa Fe Present 'Speak What We Feel' KING LEAR Workshop

Twenty three young Shakespeareans,10-18, will be taking multiple roles in a performance of scenes from King Lear. The production is associated with the International Shakespeare Center's Year of Lear celebration that started last fall. The cast has been exploring the play in workshop format since February and has prepared close to three quarters of the play. The performance at Adobe Rose Theater on April 28, 29, features on-stage character transitions with cast members playing multiple roles.

Though the play is a tragedy, the actors have been enjoying bringing the complex characters and plot to life. King Lear calls his court together to divide his kingdom between his three daughters, Goneril, Regan, and Cordelia. He calls on them to declare how much they love him and when Cordelia answers him with private thoughts in an all-too-public setting, Lear becomes filled with rage. He curses and disowns Cordelia, banishes the noble Kent and sets a tragedy in motion.

It's a play about nature and nurture, madness, compassion, and how our emotions can overtake us. It has been called a play in which "no lives matter," yet despite the devastation in this story there is a strong undercurrent of redemption.

Upstart Crows of Santa Fe is a theater group for young people, age 10-18, with a focus on understanding and performing the works of William Shakespeare. Actors experience the plays first hand, exploring Shakespeare's language and meaning with the help of experienced directors. No prior acting experience is necessary and there are no auditions - all who wish to participate will receive substantial roles. Performances evolve from participants gaining an in-depth understanding of the material and collaboration on the production.

The Crows perform uncut Shakespearean plays and workshops. They also have an active outreach program, including workshops and performances for schools.

Directed by Caryl Farkas. Fight direction by Ambrose Ferber. Apprentice directors: Isaac Marriner, Madeleine Philpot, Ben Sheffer. Pre-show talk by Robin Williams, 6:15 p.m. on Saturday, April 28

https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/3386850