The Actors' Reading Collective Will Host Summer Reading Series Outside the Box

The Actors’ Reading Collective, in residence at Marin Shakespeare Company, will present a summer reading series of Shakespeare-themed contemporary plays.

The series begins with Into the Breeches! (July 1, 2024) set during World War II when a local theater company casts a non-traditional production of Shakespeare’s Henry V. Marin-based actor David Sinaiko directs award-winning playwright George Brant’s delightful and heartfelt gem of a play. Second in the series is a sequel to Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night. Penned by San Francisco native Betty Shamieh and directed by Amy Kossow, Malvolio (July 21, 2024) is an irreverent comedy that explores the difference between revenge and redemption. The third play of the summer brings the delicious, eloquent and racy Compleat Female Stage Beauty, (August 12, 2024).  Set in the 17th century, this provocative play explores what happens when gender barriers are broken and women finally take the stage. Luisa Sermol directs award-winning Jeffrey Hatcher’s scandalous play. The summer reading series concludes with Susan Ferrara’s Buzz, (August 26, 2024) the story of “the brilliant, brief candle that was U.K. theater director Mary Ann “Buzz” Goodbody — the first woman to direct at Royal Shakespeare Company.” Directed by Marcia Pizzo, a favorite of the Marin Shakespeare stage. 

Each play features an all-star cast of Bay Area and national favorites.

Into the Breeches: Ron Chapman, Sheila Devitt, Amy Kossow, Olivia Hoffman, Leontyne Mbele-Mbong, Timothy Roy Redmond, Stacy Ross, Luisa Sermol, David Sinaiko.

Malvolio: Mary Baird, John Balma, Anne Hallinan, Bezachin Jifar, Danielle Levin, Gwen Loeb, Tanya Marie, Brady Morales Woolery, Phoebe Moyer, Nick Musleh, Louie Parnell, Phil Wong. 

Compleat Female Stage Beauty: Michael Barrett Austin, Aldo Billingslea, James Carpenter, Ron Chapman, Catherine Luedtke, Lisa Morse, Carrie Paff, Robert Parsons, Marcia Pizzo, Timothy Roy Redmond, Mia Tagano, Emilie Talbot, Ansley Valentine, Michael Ray Wisely.  

Buzz: Aldo Billingslea, Anthony Fusco, Dan Hiatt, Leontyne Mbele-Mbong, Joseph O’Malley, Robert Parsons, Timothy Roy Redmond, Luisa Sermol, Liz Sklar, Jomar Tagatac. 

The Actors’ Reading Collective’s (ARC) mission is to share the artistic, spiritual, and emotional passion uniquely inherent to theater and storytelling.