UCSD to Stage Post-Apocalyptic, Feminist Adaptation of THE TAMING OF THE SHREW

The UC San Diego Department of Theatre and Dance presents The Taming of the Shrew(d), an adaptation of Shakespeare's original text by Kristen Tregar and Kyle Donnelly, directed by Kyle Donnelly.

In the post-apocalyptic future (is there any future that is not?) a group of female warrior/actors perform plays from before the collapse of society, most notably those of Shakespeare as cautionary tales of how civilizations have fought with each other, may have loved each other but ultimately destroyed each other. This production will be an epic battle for survival where no rules of civilization apply. This ranges from deadly hand to hand combat to pratfalls and definitely involves black comedy and inappropriate humor.

Previews are Feb. 28 and Mar. 2 at 7:00pm. The show runs Mar. 3-4, 9-11 at 7:30pm, with a matinee on Mar. 4 at 2:00pm. Performances are at the Shiela and Hughes Potiker Theatre in the Joan and Irwin Jacobs Theatre District on UC San Diego's campus: 2910 La Jolla Village Drive, La Jolla, CA. For information about parking, see the website.

Tickets are $20 for regular performances. Subscriptions and group rates are available. Student tickets are $10 for regular performances. Faculty, staff, alumni and senior citizen discounts available as well. Tickets can be purchased online or by calling the box office at (858) 534-4574.

The cast features Katherine Ko (Katherine), Mary Glen Fredrick (Petruchio), Zora Howard (Baptista), Mo Rodvanich (Bianca), Kimberly Monks (Grumio), Claire Roberson (Lucentio), Caroline Siewert (Tranio), Nicole Javier (Gremio), Danielle Wineman (Hortensio), Hannah Finn (Biondello), Janet Fiki (Vincentio), Hunter Spangler, Max Singer, and Allyn Moriyon.

The production staff includes Kyle Donnelly (Director and Adapter), Kristen Tregar (Adaptor and Dramaturg) Samantha Rojales (Scenic Designer), Joel Britt (Lighting Designer), Annie Le (Costume Designer), Grady Kestler (Sound Designer), Hsiu-i Lu (Production Stage Manager), Asst. Stage Manager (Willie Michiels).

About the playwright: William Shakespeare was an English poet, playwright, and actor, widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. His extant works, including collaborations, consist of approximately 38 plays, 154 sonnets, two long narrative poems, and a few other verses. His plays have been translated into every major living language and are performed more often than those of any other playwright.

Kyle Donnelly has been a professional director for the past 30 years, working in many of American's top regional theatres. She has had a long association with Arena Stage in Washington, DC , having been Associate Artistic Director from 1992 to 1998 and directed many productions, including Dancing at Lughnasa (Helen Hayes Award for Best Production) and Polk County (Helen Hayes Award for Best New Musical). She directed the American premiere of Brian Friel's Give Me Your Answer, Do! Off Broadway for the Roundabout Theatre and has directed at the O'Neill Theatre Festival, Old Globe, Seattle Repertory, Williamstown Theatre Festival, Goodman Theatre, Steppenwolf Theatre, Huntington Theatre, American Conservatory Theatre, McCarter Theatre and Berkeley Repertory, Ford's Theatre, Court Theatre), the Humana Festival at the Actor's Theatre of Louisville, A Contemporary Theatre, Alabama Shakespeare Festival, Studio Theatre, Signature Theatre, ALLIANCE THEATRE and many other regional theaters around the country.

She founded her own acting studio called the Actors' Center in Chicago which was a leading training center for actors in that city from 1982 - 1992. She is a member of SSDC and winner of the Alan Schneider award from TCG, AT&T Onstage Award, the Helen Hayes Award and the Joseph Jefferson Award and holds the Arthur and Molli Wagner Endowed Chair in Acting.

Kristen Tregar is a second-year PhD student. She holds Masters degrees in Forensic Science and Educational Theatre. Her research interests include Irish theatre, animal studies, and police and military performance. She founded The Ireland Project, a devised theatre project with American and Irish students. UC San Diego: Machinal (IDEAS 2017).