upstart crow Presents All-Female TITUS ANDRONICUS at Lee Center, Now thru 10/7

upstart crow collective presents an all-female production of Shakespeare's bloodiest tragedy, Titus Andronicus tonight, September 6th to October 7th, 2012 at the Lee Center for the Arts on Capitol Hill. From the same team that brought you the popular and critically-acclaimed all-female King John in 2006, their newest production brings together some of Seattle's most respected female classical actors, who rarely get to meet each other onstage within Shakespeare's work.

Titus Andronicus explores the barbarism and brutality that lurks under the surface of civilized veneers and how revenge destroys humanity. Titus Andronicus returns victorious from war and refuses to spare the son of his royal captive, Tamora, the Queen of the Goths. When Tamora is unexpectedly elevated to Empress of Rome, she grasps the opportunity to plot a revenge involving the brutal rape and mutilation of Titus' daughter. Titus then sets off on his own course of revenge, which culminates in one of the most horrific scenes in western drama.

Through the lens of an all-female cast, this bloody and macabre play takes a new approach to society's understanding of male brutality. Not only does an all-female cast complicate and force us to reevaluate our understanding of power and bloodlust, but it also allows for a dozen highly accomplished female actors to perform roles that would otherwise be played by men.

Titus Andronicus, by William Shakespeare plays the Lee Center for the Arts on the corner of E Marion St. & 12th Ave. on the Seattle University campus. The show opens tonight, September 6th and closes Sunday, October 7th, playing Thursdays through Saturdays @ 7:30 PM; Sundays @ 4:30 PM. All tickets are by donation ($20 suggested donation taken at the door.); for reservations, contact Brown Paper Tickets @ http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/259759 or 1-800-838-3006.

upstart crow collective is a Seattle-based, all-female collective committed to creating classical works for a contemporary audience. This production is presented under the auspices of the Actors Equity Association Members Project Code.

CAST:

Titus: Amy Thone

Marcus: Kate Wisniewski

Lucius: Tracy Hyland

Lavinia: Brenda Joyner

Bassianus: Rhonda Soikowski

Saturninus: Kelly Kitchens

Tamora: Ki Gottberg

Aaron: Nike Imoru

Chiron: Peggy Gannon

Demetrius: Sarah Harlett

Nurse/Ensemble: Therese Diekhans

Martius/Ensemble: Zoey Belyea

Quintus/Ensemble: Kacey Shiflet

Young Lucius/Ensemble: Nicole Merat

Alarbus/Ensemble: Terri Weagant

Mutius/Ensemble: Donna Woods

DESIGNERS & PRODUCTION TEAM:

Director: Rosa Joshi

Stage Manager: Robert Keene

Scenic Designer: Carol Wolfe Clay

Costume Designer: Kim Newton

Lighting Designer: Geoff Korf

Sound Designer: Dominic CodyKramers

Dramaturg: Liza Comtois

Voice/Text Coach: Lisa Norman

Fight Choreographer: Robert Macdougall

Blood Specialist: Julia Griffin