Engaged Theatre Tour

Shakespearean Summer Tour

Our 2012 Summer Tour will be KING LEAR.

KING LEAR
By William Shakespeare

July 1- 15

This Summer, Freehold Co-Founder Tony Pasqualini will return to Seattle to play the title role and to work again with fellow Co-Founder Robin Lynn Smith who is directing King Lear. They are joined by a company of Seattle's best actors in a telling this epic story to be produced in July for our Engaged Theatre Summer Tour.

We will tour KING LEAR to Echo Glen Children's Center, Monroe Correctional Center, Washington Women's Corrections Center for Women, Harborview Trauma Center, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, and several shows for the general public in Seattle.

Watch Jose Gonzales talk (above) about preparing for this role in the upcoming production of KING LEAR.

July 2 - Seward Park
July 12, 13, 14, 15 - Seattle University Lee Center

Here is our extraordinary cast ...
Eva Abram
Eric Ray Anderson
Luisa De Paula
Erwin Galan
Jose Gonzales
Sarah Harlett
Mackenzie Jahnke
Reginald Andre Jackson
Kevin McKeon
Riley Neldam
Tony Pasqualini
Kate Wisniewski

We keep coming back to Shakespeare because his characters are complex, conflicted, contradictory human beings, in worlds that are every bit as challenging as our own. Our audiences tell us that watching the tragic struggles of Shakespeare’s characters makes them feel less alienated from society; less the sum of their mistakes and more respected as complex human beings.

A number of Seattle’s most talented theatre professionals return year after year to participate with us in Freehold's Engaged Theatre tour. They can’t match the experience of performing for individuals living through such extraordinary circumstances. They all talk about the experience of finding a deeper understanding and respect for the humanity of the characters they create, and performing with more truth and generosity because of the interaction with these unique audiences. Actor Reginald Andre Jackson, who performed as Brutus in our 2010 production of Julius Caesar and a veteran of Engaged Theatre with five past productions under his belt says,

“People who ask me about Freehold’s Engaged Theatre Program always extol the work we do, while often expressing a strong reluctance to enter the environments we visit. The truth is there is no better audience. While playing an unethical character, a Shakespearean villain absorbed in the contemplation of a dark and dastardly act, an entire audience vocally inserted themselves into the piece with shouts of, “Don’t do it!”, “Seven years.”, “You don’t want to end up in that ward!” This was not the assault of angry hecklers, or bored and unruly school children. This was a group of incarcerated men desperately advising someone to make a better choice. It all took place in a matter of seconds and came from a place of true compassion. In the end, it is they who engage us.”

Poster Images by: Annya Uslontseva, www.auadesign.com

Past Tour Productions

2011 -  Pericles
2010 -  Julius Caesar
2009 -  Othello
2007 -  Cymbeline
2006 -  Merchant of Venice
2005 -  The Winter's Tale
2004 -  Veronika Falling
2003 -  The Tempest

Pericles by William Shakespeare, directed by Robin Lynn Smith, Cast:  Monica Chilton, Kevin Dailey, Elizabeth Deutsch, Lori Evans, Luisa de Paula, Anthony Leahy, Parker Matthews, Phillip Mitchell, Jonathan Nawn, Riley Neldam, Caleb Slavens, Lance McQueen, Melissa Topscher, Amy Wason, Kiki Yeung. Musicians:  Gino Yevdjevich, Beth Fleenor, Paris Hurley.

Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare, directed by Robin Lynn Smith, Cast:  Eva Abram, Kjerstine Rose Anderson, Shawn Belyea, Susanna Burney, Kevin Cvanah, Luisa De Paula, Sarah Harlett, Trina Harris, Reginald Andre Jackson, Sylvester Kamara, David Brown King, Kevin McKeon, Kirsten McCory, Lisa Norman, Kate Parker, Lori Evans, Hal Ryder. Music composed by:  Gino Yevdjevich, Musicians:  Beth Fleenor and Whitney Lyman.

Othello, directed by Robin Lynn Smith, Cast: CT Doescher, Laura Fager, Jose J. Gonzales, Sarah Harlett, Reginald Andre Jackson, Sylvester Kamara, David Kubiczky, Carter Rodriguez, Annette Toutonghi, Kathryn Van Meter and music with Reshard Radford and Gino Yevdjevich, Movement Director: George Lewis.

Cymbeline, directed by Robin Lynn Smith, Cast:  Norah Benezra, Precious Butiu, Lauren Herrick, Richard Hesik, Reggie Jackson, Marya Sea Kaminski, Lara Lihiya, Kevin Moore, Gabe Smith, Lance Spencer, Katt Tait, Beverly Ann Thompson, Amy Thone, Gino Yevdjevich (music).

Mechant of Venice, directed by Robin Lynn Smith, Cast: David Friedt, Derek Kavan, Trina Harris, Robert Dale Walker, Demone Gore, Scott Maddock, Don Carter, Ben Cournoyer, Tony Pasqualini, Precious Butiu, Sarah Rucker Thiessen, Amber Cutlip, Alexandra Scott, Lori Stein, Kirsten McCory, Shamar Larkin, Michelle Kamberger, Music: Gino Yevdjevich, Ambrose Norness, Matty Noble, Felicia Loud, Kate Ryan

Veronika Falling, directed by Robin Lynn Smith. Adaptation of Veronika Decides to Die by Amy Wheeler.  Cast included: Marie Broderick, Dave Elvin, Reginald Andre Jackson, Jodie Knowles, George Lewis, Nicole Pearson, Danielle Slavick, Gabe Smith, Dani Suder, Elissa Walstead, Kate Wisniewski, Amber Zipperer, Music: Gino Yevdjevich, Dani Suder, Joy Brooke Fairfield, Danielle Slavick.