Unconventional Theatre

1.)

Producing Company: Sporadic Evolution Theatre

Production: Hamlet by William Shakespeare

Production Dates: November 14^th & 15^th and 21^st & 22, 2008 at 8pm

Artistic Director: Don Sheehan

http://www.wickedlocal.com/bridgewatereast/fun/entertainment/arts/x1772954223/Good-night-sweet-princess

“He didn’t begin the casting process determined to find a female Hamlet, he said.

“It’s really just a happy coincidence. The strongest actor I had was a woman,” Sheehan said.

So, if Hamlet is a woman, is Ophelia, Hamlet’s love interest, a man?

No, said Sheehan, Ophelia is also being played by a woman and for the same reason. The best actor who auditioned happened to be female, he said.”

This production of Hamlet is unconventional because of the non-traditional casting of Hamlet. A woman plays the role of Hamlet and offers a new perspective upon the tale. Ophelia role has remained female, which creates a new dynamic to the classical play.

2.)

Producing Company: Majak Theatre Group & Jezek and Cizek Theatre Group

Production: Faust by Charles Gounod

Production Dates: August 19th, at 9pm 2007

Director: Jakub Balaban

"One of our fundamental ideas is combining different worlds, and different circles of people. For example, we have homeless people working with both professional artists and amateur artists in an auditorium with an underground rock band. And together it works."

http://www.radio.cz/en/article/94499

This production of Faust is unconventional because of the Non-traditional casting. Many of the roles are played by homeless people from Prague. The casting of this production allows for people who may not have any other chance to become involved with an artistic medium. It also brings the communities attention to the local homeless. This production also brings modern elements by the addition of the rock band.

3.)

Producing Company: Chalk Repertory Theatre

Production: Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare

Director: Jerry Ruiz

Production Dates: February 5-28, 2010 in the Masonic Lodge of the Hollywood Forever Cemetery.

"Chalk Rep's Twelfth Night, directed by Jerry Ruiz, is chock-full of strong ensemble work (with actors sporting hipster clothes) and features a groovy live band." --Prince Gomolvilas, Bamboo Nation

http://www.chalkrep.com/#/press-center/4532046168

This production of Twelfth Night is unconventional because of the location in which it is preformed. This production of Twelfth Night was produced within a cemetery. The Chalk Repertory Theatre holds a reputation of unconventional spaces of their productions. Along with the unconventional location, Twelfth Night also has a modern twist with the involvement of a live band.

4.)

Producing Company: CoHo Productions

Production: Hamlet by William Shakespeare

Production Dates: 8 pm Thursdays-Saturdays, 2 pm Sundays. Closes Feb. 20.2010

Producer: Chris Murray

Director: Kristan Seemel

Adapted by: Chris Murray

“As adapted by Chris Murray, who also stars in the title role, large chunks of dialogue have been removed, streamlining the play significantly. Even more daring, only five actors portray all of the roles, with each making clear distinctions between parts without the benefit of costume changes.”

http://www.oregonlive.com/performance/index.ssf/2010/01/coho_productions_hamlet_finds.html

This production of Hamlet is unconventional because of the text destruction and loss of characters within the play. This adaption of Hamlet omits text, minor roles as well as costume changes. This unconventional technique puts enormous pressure upon each actor to portray each character very distinctively.

5.)

Production: Blasted by Sarah Kane

Producing Company: Graeae Theatre Company

Artistic Director: Jenny Sealey

Production Dates: 28 March 2006 - 3 February 2007

“3 Sign Language Interpreters (SLI) were projected onto a screen behind the actors. In addition, the actors read aloud their actions, using Kane’s script to enhance the quality and drama of the description.”

http://www.graeae.org/page/aboutourshows

What makes this company and production unconventional is the use of disabled individuals. The production of Blasted used projections of sign language and readings of stage directions to involve a disabled audience and create a new and interactive experience for non-disabled patrons. The company strives on making their productions handicap friendly and seeks out disabled designers to keep the spirit of the company a collective unit.