NESE Begins Rehearsals For OTHELLO, Opens 5/21

The NorthEast Shakespeare Ensemble (NESE) has begun rehearsals for its production of Shakespeare's monumental tragedy, Othello, with the strongest cast in its seven-year history. Directed by NESE Artistic Director John Goodlin, Othello will run for eight performances from May 21 through May 30 at Colby-Sawyer College's Sawyer Center Theater in New London.

Goodlin's cast brings several new faces to NESE's stage, including experienced Shakespearean actors Marcus Naylor*, in the title role, and Jefferson Slinkard*, who plays arch-villain Iago:

Mr. Naylor's credits include: Charlie "Bird" Parker in The Reunion (Negro Ensemble Co.); Marc Anthony in Julius Caesar (Shakespeare on the Sound); Josh Gibson in The Black Babe Ruth (New Federal Theatre); as well as numerous appearances at the Kennedy Center, Arena Stage, Cincinnati Playhouse and Cleveland Playhouse.

Credits for Mr. Slinkard include the title role in Hamlet; Caliban in The Tempest; Mercutio in Romeo and Juliet; Oberon in A Midsummer Night's Dream; Hubert in King John (Chicago Shakespeare Theater); and Sir Toby Belch in Twelfth Night (Milwaukee Shakespeare).

Playing the women deceived - Desdemona and Emilia - whose fate is sealed by a handkerchief:

Tracy Liz Miller* (Desdemona), who recently performed the title role in the all-female production of Julius Caesar with the Tennessee Shakespeare Company, and is also an associate producer with the Vermont Shakespeare Company.
Katrina Ferguson* (Emilia), an Australian-born actress, who has performed around the world; favorite roles include Lady Alice More in A Man for All Seasons, Josie in A Moon for the Misbegotten and Mary Stuart in Mary, Queen of Scots.
Playing the unsuspecting pawns - Cassio and Roderigo - who are manipulated by a vengeful Iago are:

Dan Roach* (Cassio), who has numerous credits with The Commonwealth Shakespeare Company in Boston, as well as the Hayworth Theatre in LA and the Trilogy Theatre in NYC.

Donald Warfield* (Roderigo), returning to NESE for his third season, has appeared in more than twenty of Shakespeare's plays - at NYSF in Central Park, the Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival, and The Folger in Washington, among others.
Other returning Equity Company members include Michael G. Dell'Orto* (Brabantio), Bill Chappelle* (Montano), Dale Place* (Lodovico) and David Shaw* (Duke of Venice). Goodlin held multiple auditions - Equity and non Equity, local, regional and in New York City - to find the strongest acting talent possible. The result is a top-quality Acting Company that includes veteran actors, bright young professionals and the best acting talent to be found in the region.

NESE's production of Othello culminates a month-long series of Shakespeare-related events in New London. To commemorate the occasion, the Town of New London has proclaimed May "Shakespeare Month in New London."

Evening performances of Othello begin at 8 PM on May 21, 22, 27, 28 and 29, with matinees on May 23, 26 and 30 starting at 2 PM. Tickets are priced from $14 to $25, with group rates available. For tickets, call NESE's Box Office at (603) 526-8600, Toll-free: (877) 526-8601; for online ticketing visit: www.NESEtheatre.org For more information, email: info@NESEtheatre.org

* Member of Actors' Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States

The NorthEast Shakespeare Ensemble, celebrating seven seasons of enriching our community, is a non-profit professional repertory theatre company formed to bring Shakespeare and "the best of the classics" to scenic New Hampshire each year.