"One Man in his time plays many parts" As You Like It
The Iowa Shakespeare Experience has established an exciting tradition of featuring both legendary Iowa actors as well as discovering and showcasing talent relatively new to larger local stages!
Ours is always an intriguing mix of old and new favorites that never fails to entice!
Read below about the starry skies in store for this year...
CURRENT 2011 FESTIVAL CAST AND CREW!
2011 CAST
WE’RE CAST! And how! True to our aim to feature an intriguing, ALWAYS-FRESH mix of fan favorites plus tantalizing newcomers, 2011 fairly bursts with a terrific lineup of talent!
THE REGINA MONOLOGUES: The Royal Queens and Kings of Shakespeare
As usual, we’ve drawn shimmering local favorite leads to a whirl on the Shakesperience stage. One of the area’s most intelligent and witty interpreters of character, Mike Davenport makes his inaugural Festival appearance in a variety of enticing roles. Multiply-lauded former L.A. actress Jami Bassman (Queen Elizabeth) returns to our stage in what in her skilled hands, just might be a role of a lifetime. Uber-sexy Matt Wiggins of Heavy Metal fame (who also happens to be a former Naval officer) is back by unmistakable popular demand, playing a number of intriguing personnas. And, last year’s stunning charmer: the multi-talented Tiffany Flory (– a singing, dancing and acting dynamo who is a recent graduate of Theatre Simpson and a Des Moines Playhouse fixture) returns as Queen Cleopatra. Traditional theatre favorites Gilda Stern and the sexy Georgina Spelvin round out a great cast!
MARK TWAINMENT TONITE:
Metro favorite Preshia Paulding, one of the areas most lauded stars of musical theatre, takes her first role on the Shakesperience stage as Mrs. Olivia (Livvie) Clemmons. Preshia joins ISE’s beloved John Zickefoose (formerly of New York where his one-man show ran for many years). John is returning to Heinemann-Sandoval Productions for an incredible 17th consequtive show; this year, reprising his accllaimed role as Dean William Howells, which he pioneered in this show's 2008 debut at Terrace Hill.
Beautiful young actresses like the fresh Samantha Tucker and Holly Fusco (a Luther College musical theatre major who has performed in 100s of cities all across Iowa with Celebration Iowa and in such roles as "Dorothy" in the Wizard of Oz) - along with MFA candidate Torii Grabowski who makes a special storytelling appearance on Family Night- round out a talent-rich show.
And, to cap it all off, our own Lorenzo Sandoval reprises his award-winning, featured 2008 Terrace Hill role as America’s Bard, Mr. Mark Twain.
CHOREOGRAPHY AND DANCE: For a 6th consecutive season, our Choreographer, the lovely Karina Barone brings her internationally-known ballet talent to our stage in our ongoing collaborations with a wide variety of area ballet schools. Karina has danced on stage with Boy George and in Andrew Lloyd Weber productions in London, among many many other international credits. In our Regina Monlogue dance numbers, Karina will also be our feature lead dancer, joined by Holly Fusco, Samantha Tucker, Anna Sundstrom and dancers from local ballet schools.
THE MUSICIANS gracing the 2011 Festival are just as star-spangled as is our cast! Featured on Iowa Public Television and opening act for the likes of Jerry Jeff Walker, Leon Redbone and Lyle Lovett, Rob Lumbard is a master of multiple different instruments and an original singer-songwriter who headlines our Twain show. Dwight Deason and Frank Cebuhar, two of the Metro's most versatile musicians and members of the lauded Hot Club of Des Moines provide a rich diversity of musical styles for The Regina Monologues. And, the revered Belin String Quartet, our Prairie Meadows Family Night pre-show concert act,ensure the classical sparkle sparks! The Social Groove Drummers will again drum in that ancient Elizabethan magic. In addition, to really put a clincher on Festival 2011, our long-time musical director -one of the Metro's true reigning musical QUEENS- returns for a series of 3 pre-show concerts, as the legendary Tina Haase Findlay and Friends presents The Regina Melodies at 7pm before all our Regina shows! Also, watch for guest appearances by television star Morgan Halgren, and by returning radio, stage and operatic hit, Hollis Monroe.
All of these great Festival musicans will teach our “torches to burn bright”, indeed!
SHAKESPERIENCE FEST CREW 2011
WELCOME 2011 ISE BACK OF HOUSE TEAM!
Front of the House is ONLY as good as our extraordinary off-stage team! This year the ISE sadly bids a fond farewell to ISE Goddess Extraordinaire, Helen "My Helen" Van Dam, a stalwart guiding light behind the scenes for the past 4 seasons. We are only letting Helen off the hook for 2011 because she is in Russia – and actually, we know she will likely be running an entire country herself one day! Helen, we could NOT have made it through our inaugural years without you. You know you have a theatre home here whenever you return!
On the flip side, the ISE delightedly welcomes back Veteran “Lord of the Land” Jake Hines, who in his 10th Heinemann-Sandoval show is by now (along with the notorious Mr. A. Fogg) a real member of the family due to his uncompromising dedication to our super lighting, sound and special effects components. Who loves ya, Jake! Let the sprinklers be damned!
Welcome also to new Stage Manager Christy Dietsch, graduate of UNI’s famed theatre program and truly a Stage Manager Extraordinaire! Christy’s great stage strengths will be of enormous support to our continued growth, along with the multi-talented Steve Hickle who will be assuming many important behind-the-scenes roles. Talented theatre veteran (ie The Edinburgh Fringe Festival!) and MFA Candidate Torii Grabowski joins in a number of functions as Lead Festival Associate.
And a special welcome to ISE intern Anna Sundstrom, recent graduate of ISU’s theatre program – you have been a delight! Robin Heinemann brings her experience from Saturday Night Live and the Austin Texas music, video and festival scene to her management of set and lighting and costume design, working on costumes with the talented Judy Rogers and Nicole Tesche who return from last year. Judy's work is well known on both coasts, and Nicole got her start in wardrobe in the movie industry.
And as usual, the ISE is grateful to have our Artistic Director Lorenzo Sandoval. MFA at the creative helm of Shakesperience Fest. Lorenzo is a professor of theatre and communications - -(and veteran of nearly 500 television, movie, film, radio, commercial, traveling, dance, music and theatre shows; including 2 television series he starred in as host.
Lorenzo is also the talented playwright (published by one of the country's leading publishing houses) who has created BOTH the original adaptations that Season 2011 features. And, among among many other duties for Festival 2011, Lorenzo will be directing both our 2011 shows.
Lorenzo's dramatic talents can today be seen as far away as Belgium, Holland and Latin America, and his voice-work can routinely be heard on both coasts. Lorenzo recieved his MFA from the internationally-renowned Univerisity of Iowa Playwright's Workshop, where he also taught. As a leader on the Iowa arts scene, Lorenzo has served in top leadership roles as Executive Director or Interim Executive Director for a number of different area non-profits such as Metro Arts Allilance, as well as in a key leadership role at the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs. Currently Lorenzo teaches an extraordinary variety of courses in theatre, the humanities, the arts, literature and communications at a number of different area colleges and universities, and he was a veteran of several midwestern Shakespeare companies before founding The Iowa Shakespeare Experience.
Lorenzo Sandoval and Robin Heinemann serve as Executive Co-Producers of Shakesperience Fest. For more information on Lorenzo's career, or for additional information about Robn, please see their bio-sketches on the Professonal Staff Leadership Page under the "About ISE" section of our Site Menu.
ABOUT PAST CASTS
THE 2010 SHAKESPERIENCE CAST:
“Would you like to swing on a Star? Carry Moonbeams home in a Jar”?
Then get thee to the best night of summer- where we’ll be
"STARDUST!"
This summer at A Midsummer Night’s Dream Extravaganza,
it’s a "Stardust Melody" in every sense of the word!
In 2010, the ISE’s beloved John Zickefoose returns for his fourteenth Heinemann-Sandoval production, to command (as he inevitably does) the role of a most suave Prankster Puck! I say: Noel Coward in a Cape (or maybe that's Zero Mostel?...) - - if there ever was one! Backed by our own Lorenzo Sandoval as Theseus the Duke (host of the famous Pyramus and Thisbe play-within-a-play), you know these two will have great fun!
But then there is also the truly legendary Hollis Monroe, lauded state-wide radio personality and scholarly authority, one of the all-time great classicists - - - and a true legend of Iowa’s Shakespearean stage! You don’t need to worry: As Egeus, no way we would let this noted star of stage - - not to mention of opera - - -leave the boards without taking a song or two!
And then there are Oberon and Titania: a sizzling couple if there ever was one! And in this show: we truly "Dream a little dream!" The Oberon and Titania storyline will be simply amazing! Lorenzo's vision for this version of A Midsummer Night's Dream is a sensational one: the Fairy Kingdom storylilne will be told entirly in lyrical dance and ballet - gorgeous!
Matt Wiggins stole many a passionate heart in his romantic appearances with us last year- and he returns to our stage again this year in the role of the magestic, sexy and moody King Oberon.
And Queen Titinia? You simply will NOT want to miss our Titinia this year! Our own long-time choreographer Karina Barone comes out from behind stage as our featured Ballerina! Karina, an international dance star featured on South American television and in London with the likes of Boy George, is a stunningly lovely dancer who will create a Fairy Queen you simply will not take your eyes off of!
Not to mention our Fairy kingdom folk! The ISE is truly delighted to welcome to our stage a number of fine young dancers from our Metro's most prominent schools of dance: dancers from the prestigious Ballet Des Moines as well as from other fine dance schools will be featured as the members of the Fairy Kingdom!
Then of course, there are our wonderful young lovers! In 2010, The Iowa Shakespeare Experience follows our great tradition of showcasing new top acting talent to major Des Moines audiences. You will be captivated by our two young Actresses, rising stars from the marvelous theatre programs at Simpson (Tiffany Flory) and University of Iowa (Allison Hade.) When they swing into the occasional midnight melody with their suitors, (John Spinks and Joe Parrish, two quite popular actors who have cut a wide swath in the Des Moines theatre and music scenes) you will truly feel “Its De-loverly!”
And lets not forget Hippolyta, the Duke’s intended! In our star-spangled 2010 show, Shakespeare's soon-to-be Dutchess is played by Des Moines’ enchanting young chanteuse who is taking the Metro’s cabaret scene by storm. Yes, Heather MacLennan will return to her theatre roots for this one special show!
“Unforgettable” – and by the way, of course not just anyone could lovingly surround these fine talents, great voices - -and the rhythmical famous poetry of the Bard- - with live music and fresh original songs.
So for this show, the ISE is delighted to bring back Des Moines’ first lady of song, the iconic Tina Haase Findlay – headliner at literally each and every summer festival in the city! So how could the Shakesperience™ Fest have it otherwise!
THIS JUST IN: In intense competition, Tina was just selected to sing the National Anthem at the Des Moines' Symphony Fireworks Pops concert! Congratulations, Tina! And since before she sings, Tina's other work will be showcased, soon we will know how it feels to have the cause of the ISE announced before 300,000 people! Wow!
(Pssssst: Tina herself is bringing a surprise – watch for NIGHTLY guest appearances by two of the Metro’s most famous crooners, as the extraordinary Max Wellman and Fred Gazzo (he of Bally’s Las Vegas Big Band scene) take the stage!
2010 BACKSTAGE CREW AND LEADERSHIP:
Backstage, we have equally extraordinary talent!
Among the leaders of our terrific backstage crew are:
Executive Producers: Robin Heinemann and Lorenzo Sandoval
Artistic Director: Lorenzo Sandoval
Chief Administrative Officer: Robin Heinemann
Adaptation Playwright: Lorenzo Sandoval
Director: Lorenzo Sandoval
Technical Director: Robin Heinemann
Assistant to the Producers: Mitchell Nieland
Choreography: Karina Barone
Musical Director: Tina Haase Findlay
Songwriter: Tina Haase Findlay
Special Movement: Tiffany Flory
Costumes: Mel Ziegenfuss
Stage Manager: Abigail Kaufman
Assistant Stage Manager and Festival Manager: Ben Sheriden
House Manager: Elizabeth Cameron
Lights and Sound Design: Robin Heinemann and Jake Hines
Lights and Sound Technology: Jake Hines
Associate: Moira Nash
Goddess: Helen Van Dam
Special Guests: Roxie Copeland, Fred Gazzo, and Max Wellman
With special thanks to Radio Garage for sound design