BWW Blog: Lo Abdelmalek for Shakespeare at Notre Dame

Lo Abdelmalek is a special guest blogger who is an actor in the Young Company which is performing at Notre Dame's Shakespeare Festival. Lo plays Thaisa in Pericles, Prince of Tyre and is pursuing her MFA at the University of Louisville.

"My time at Notre Dame Shakespeare Festival has truly been a gift, an honor, and a privilege! I had heard wonderful things about the Notre Dame Shakespeare Festival prior to auditioning and knew they had an incredible program. However, I did not know the depth of that until I started 3 weeks ago.

Everyday I get up thinking "seriously, how is this my life right now?! I'm so blessed!" I get to work with a remarkable group of people everyday! The cast is extremely talented, and our coaches, instructors, directors, etc. are phenomenal, professional artists who are just all around wonderful people. It's not everyday that you get to work with those who are not only very gifted and knowledgeable, but also generous with their time.

I'm not just learning about the craft, I'm learning about what kind of professional I'd like to be and the kind of artist that I want to become. Cameron Knight and Grant Mudge have set an incredibly professional and welcoming environment that is not only focused on creating great art, but they truly care about individuals and all who are involved. I've gleaned so much from them including about how to foster and nurture a healthy and beautiful artistic community where every artist feels valued and respected. It's a fabulous "pinch-me-is-this-real" kind of experience, to be honest! The cast and crew is all in, the commitment is there, the joy, fun, and laughter is there...and the crazy hard work is very much there. People are committed and give their best, but it's also carried in a humble and gracious spirit, which is just a rare and beautiful thing. I sincerely feel honored to be working alongside this hardworking and talented team, and so, SO grateful for the opportunity!"

-Lo Abdelmalek

Performances and Locations
Mishawaka Summer Concert Series | Mishawaka, Indiana
Friday, July 22 at 7:00pm
Dekalb County Outdoor Theater | Auburn, IN
Saturday, July 23 at 7:30pm
Olympia Fields Country Club | Olympia Fields, IL
Sunday, July 24 at 6:30pm (CDT)
Fernwood Botanical Garden and Nature Preserve | Niles, MI
Friday, July 29 at 7:00pm
ArtsEverywhere Series | Potawatomi Zoo, South Bend, IN
Saturday, July 30 at 7:00pm
Encore Performing Arts | Plymouth, IN
Sunday, July 31 at 7:00pm
Krasl Art Center | 707 Lake Boulevard, St. Joseph, MI
Friday, Aug 5 at 6:30pm
Music In The Park | Dewey Cannon Park, Three Oaks, MI
Saturday, Aug 6 at 6:30pm
Wellfield Botanic Gardens | 1011 N Main St, Elkhart, IN

Sunday, Aug 7 at 6:30pm
Main Building Quad | University of Notre Dame
Monday, Aug 22 at 6:30pm

Photo 1:
Viola player: Jennifer Vosters
Guitar player: Ryan Smetana
From left to right: Catherine Bustos, Sarah Razmann, Maria Welser, Lo Abdelmalek, Guillermo Alonso, and Lydia Moss

Photo 2:
Men from left to right: Xavier Bleuel, Brian Sprague, and Michael Cohen
Women from left to right: Alys Dickerson, Lydia Moss, Lo Abdelmalek, Maria Welser, and Sarah Razmann

Photo Credit: Young Company Assistant Director, Jack Fazzino