The Winter's Tale, African American Shakespeare Company

The Winter’s Tale
Presented in English
Taube Atrium, San Francisco, California, USA
June 10-25, 2016

“The Winter’s Tale explores the unsteady, unsettling, poisonous realm of jealousy and distrust as a childhood friendship is irrevocably torn apart by a grievous misunderstanding.

King Leontes of Sicilia accuses his pregnant wife, Hermione, of infidelity with best friend and fellow King of neighboring Bohemia, Polixenes. His rage and misguided tyranny results in the plot to have the King of Bohemia killed, banish the newborn baby girl, imprison his innocent wife, and turn his stunned staff and nation against him. Directed by Artistic Director of AASC, L. Peter Callender, this study of love, jealousy, tyranny and ultimate forgiveness will bring all the complicated plot twists, memorable characters and one of Shakespeare’s most magical and romantic and unforgettable endings to life.” –blurb from the African American Shakespeare Company’s website

African American Shakespeare Company
Written by William Shakespeare
Directed by L. Peter Callender

Cast:
Leontes, Eric Reid
Hermione, Regina Morones
Polixenes, ShawnJ West
Paulina, Brittany Nicole Sims
Camillo, Edward Neville Ewell
Perdita, Jasmine Milan Williams
Florizel / Ensemble, Jacob Williams
Shepherd / Antigonus, Awele Makeba
Autolycus, Titus VanHook
Clown / Ensemble, Marlo Su
Mamillius, Atlantis Clay
Mamillius, Cameron Payne
Mopsa, Atiana Gabriella Skokan
Dorcas, Jazara Metcalf

Production Team:
Director, L. Peter Callender
Production Manager, Leontyne Mbele-Mbong
Stage Manager, Jemier Jenkins
Assistant Stage Manager, Nikki Anderson-Joy
Set Designer, Kevin August Landesman
Lighting Designer, Kevin Myrick
Sound Designer, Cliff Caruthers
Costume Designer, Keri Fitch
Prop Designer, Devon LaBelle

For More Information and Performance Video:
http://www.african-americanshakes.org/productions/the-winters-tale/

Selected Reviews and Media Coverage:
http://theatrius.com/2017/06/14/the-winters-tale-twists-turns-at-african-american-shakespeare-company-s-f/

About the African-American Shakespeare Company

The award-winning African-American Shakespeare Company (AASC) was established in 1994 by professional theater artists from the American Conservatory Theatre as an alternative answer to the “Color Blind Casting” initiative that began in the early 90s. While this initiative temporarily changed the diversity on stage, African-American Shakespeare Company noticed color blind casting was ignoring these artists’ rich cultural heritage and not making the most of their dynamic, cultural vibrancy that actors of color could bring to classical works. Moreover, “mainstream” classical theaters seem to lack the ability to truly attract diverse audiences. African-American Shakespeare Company inspired to highlight artist of color’s dynamic cultural vibrancy within classical productions.

African-American Shakespeare Company's work has received honorary acknowledgement from San Francisco's City and County's former Mayor Gavin Newsome (now serving as Lieutenant Governor); recently awarded The Paine Knickerbocker Award in 2014 for Outstanding Achievement for a Theater Company by the San Francisco Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle; and a Community Partner Award from University of San Francisco's Leo T. McCarthy Center for outstanding collaboration in providing quality Service-Learning program.

The African-American Shakespeare Company is funded in part by Shakespeare for a New Generation, a national program of the National Endowment for the Arts in cooperation with Arts Midwest; San Francisco Arts Commission, Grants for the Arts, California Arts Council, The San Francisco Foundation, Columbia Foundation, Fleishhacker Foundation, Zellerbach Family Foundation, Macy’s, The Wallace Alexander Gerbode Foundation, The Hewlett Foundation, University of San Francisco Engage Program, and Silicon Valley Foundation.” –information from the 2016/17 Season Announcement Press Release

Selected Images:

Eric Reid (Leontes), Regina Morones (Hermione), and Cameron Payne (Mamillius) in African-American Shakespeare Company’s production of William Shakespeare’s The Winter’s Tale, directed by L. Peter Callender; photo credit: Lance Huntley

Hermione (Regina Morones) and Polixenes (ShawnJ West) enjoy each others company with her son, Mamillius (Cameron Payne) looking on. King Leontes, (Eric Reid) looks on suspiciously. Photo credit: Jay Yamada

Princess Perdita (Jasmine Milan Williams) and Prince Florizel (Jacob Williams) meet and fall in love. Photo credit: Jay Yamada

King Leontes (Eric Reid) takes custody of his son, Mamillius, (Cameron Payne) to punish his wife, Hermione (Regina Morones) for her supposed infidelity. Photo credit: Jay Yamada