Meet the Cast of Heart of America Shakespeare Festival’s The Winter’s Tale
This week, the Festival makes its move into Southmoreland Park as actors take the stage for the last week of rehearsals. You can catch The Winter’s Tale starting June 17th, but catch up with our cast below! We asked about all things Shakespeare and Shakespeare Festival – see their responses before seeing them this summer.
To see the full company list for The Winter’s Tale, visit us here at Heart of America Shakespeare Festival – Acting company for 2014
Bruce Roach as Iago and Todd Lanker as Roderigo in the Festival’s 2008 production of Othello. Photo by: Doug Hamer
Bruce Roach: Leontes
How many years have you performed with the Heart of America Shakespeare Festival?
This is my tenth season with the Festival. Kind of an anniversary. Ten years in a row. Not sure if this has happened before in this company. I feel very lucky.
What’s your favorite part of working with the Festival?
My favorite part of working for the Festival is performing for such a large audience, many of whom have never seen Shakespeare performed before. Or possibly never even seen live theatre before. That’s a big responsibility and privilege at the same time. The fact that it remains FREE is fantastic and really sets it apart, in a great way, from any other performance experience here in Kansas City.
Which has been your favorite role/show? What made it memorable?
I think my favorite role I’ve played at the Festival was Fluellen in KING HENRY V. It was not one of the larger roles I’ve played, but it was a real departure for me. His ego, his pride in his King and country, the great humor in his humorlessness, his WELSHNESS — all made him a great challenge and joy to explore. Plus, that was a very complex production with a lot of complicated battle sequences and a very difficult technical rehearsal process. None of us felt prepared by the time we opened. But perhaps more than any show I’ve ever been involved in, it grew and grew after we had opened. And audiences just loved it and cheered night after night. There was a great camaraderie among that cast.
What are you looking forward to the most with this summer’s production of The Winter’s Tale?
Looking forward to this summer? Well, THE WINTER’S TALE is maybe my favorite of all the plays of Shakespeare. For it’s oddness, perhaps. But it has great joy, sadness, comedy, and sentiment. I look forward to sharing all the strange beauty of this play with audiences who may be encountering it for the first time.
Tragedy/Comedy/Romance: what’s your favorite Shakespeare play on the page? Why?
Well, I’m a firm believer that Shakespeare is meant to be seen and experienced, rather than read. But when I was 20 years old and a struggling actor in NY and plagued with insomnia, I sat up one night and read all of HAMLET, aloud, by myself. All of the parts. I was hoarse the next day, of course. Ridiculous? Maybe. But it was a profound experience. And I realized, in the moment, that I was experiencing that play in a way that I had never experienced any other piece of dramatic literature. And never have again since. Ha!
John Rensenhouse as Antony in the Festival’s 2012 production of Antony and Cleopatra. Photo by: Brian Collins
John Rensenhouse: Polixenes
How many years have you performed with the Heart of America Shakespeare Festival?
11
What’s your favorite part of working with the Festival?
The crisp, cold beer after a long hot night!
Which has been your favorite role/show? What made it memorable?
My favorite role was Macbeth. The poetry he speaks is the most gorgeous and evocative I have ever been gifted with. Being partnered with Kim Marten-Cotten made for a good match and the performance was a satisfying one.
What are you looking forward to the most with this summer’s production of The Winter’s Tale?
I am looking forward to the elegance of having the musicians onstage and the magical, redemptive nature of the story.
Tragedy/Comedy/Romance: what’s your favorite Shakespeare play on the page? Why?
My favorite Shakespeare play is As You Like It. I find the romance of it completely charming. And the philosophies put forth in it, the pastoral wisdom of Corin, the shepherd, the world weary melancholy of Jaques and the patient grace of Duke Senior all speak great truths to me.
Jan Rogge as Emilia in the Festival’s 2008 production of Othello. Photo by: Doug Hamer
Jan Rogge: Paulina
How many years have you performed with the Heart of America Shakespeare Festival?
This will be my 11th season working at HASF.
What’s your favorite part of working with the Festival?
My favorite part of working with HASF is working outside in the elements. I love the whole outdoor faire like atmosphere celebrating the beautiful summer evenings in Kansas City. They should expect seeing the same high quality of artists along with giving Kansas City a thriving summer tradition.
Tragedy/Comedy/Romance: what’s your favorite Shakespeare play on the page? Why?
My favorite Shakespeare play is Hamlet. I feel it asks the big questions of life and death as no other. I watch it as many times that I can. I enjoy watching the actor’s choices because they can be so profoundly different in each production
I played ‘Gertrude’ in two different productions back to back. It is very rare to experience that.
I loved playing ‘Lady Macbeth’ because of its perverse and tragic love story. She has such a mixture of strength and fragility. It was so exciting to play a female role that was both powerful and sexual.
Scott Cordes, photo courtesy of actor
Scott Cordes: Old Shepherd
How many years have you performed with the Heart of America Shakespeare Festival?
This will be my 10th HASF show (in 8 seasons – 2 years were rotating rep shows).
What’s your favorite part of working with the Festival?
I live in Southmoreland and love doing theatre in my neighborhood. I also love that it is free so it allows an experience for people who wouldn’t necessarily go to the theatre. It’s great to see so many young people get exposed to Shakespeare.
Which has been your favorite role/show? What made it memorable?
All are special for different reasons. Standouts are:
Dogberry in Much Ado – such a fun great role and one I’d like to play again…he’s my kinda guy.
Gravedigger in Hamlet – because it is such a great play. I loved watching it every night as much as being in it.
Grumio in Shrew – again…my kinda guy. Fun loving and ready to follow his man anywhere – and I was able to cool off every night by sticking my head into a fountain onstage.
What are you looking forward to the most with this summer’s production of The Winter’s Tale?
A giant sheepherder’s crook, and more sheep.
Tragedy/Comedy/Romance: what’s your favorite Shakespeare play on the page? Why?
Comedy – Twelfth Night
Tragedy – Hamlet
Both are just constructed beautifully. And the sword fight at the end of Hamlet is excellent.
“Rude Mechanicals”, Ben Auxier, Greg Brostrom, Bruce Roach, Matt Rapport, J. Will Fritz and TJ Chasteen as the Rude Mechanicals in the Festival’s 2012 production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
Matt Rapport: Autolycus
How many years have you performed with the Heart of America Shakespeare Festival?
I have been in 13 shows for the Festival. I have worked as either an actor or a teacher with the Festival for 21 years.
What’s your favorite part of working with the Festival?
Getting to be part of these beautiful plays and bringing them to everyone regardless of income or other obstacles
Which has been your favorite role/show? What made it memorable?
Bottom in A Midsummer’s Night Dream. It’s a role I have always coveted, and getting to play it and be part of creating so much joy was a delight every night.
What are you looking forward to the most with this summer’s production of The Winter’s Tale?
I always enjoy the feeling of camaraderie and family that we have at the Festival. And of course bringing this seldom produced play to Kansas City audiences
Tragedy/Comedy/Romance: what’s your favorite Shakespeare play on the page? Why?
Tough one. If I have to pick one, I’m going to say A Midsummer Night’s Dream. It’s got something for everyone, and as an educator, I feel it is very accessible, and a great gateway to Shakespeare’s works.
Emily Peterson as Phebe and Jake Walker as Silvius in the Festival’s 2013 production of As You Like It. Photo by: Brian Collins
Emily Peterson: Perdita
How many years have you performed with the Heart of America Shakespeare Festival?
This is my 3rd summer with the festival.
What’s your favorite part of working with the Festival?
That park is so magical. Shakespeare is so rarely done in KC and I just don’t know why that is. The Festival offers it every single year to the entire community for FREE. Done by professionals. Spending summer nights with this company in a park performing these beautiful, timeless stories, looking around and seeing the lights come through the trees, the fog, the fireflies buzzing around while hundreds of people sit and experience Shakespeare -I mean, c’mon. I’m sorry, but c’mon.
Which has been your favorite role/show? What made it memorable?
I am fortunate enough to not have a favorite -they’ve all been so different and wonderfully fun! Hermia is so plucky, Iras is like a cool serpent, Phoebe’s got sand, and Perdita a sweet little wildflower. Each of them presented their own challenges and has been memorable for the same reason.
What are you looking forward to the most with this summer’s production of The Winter’s Tale?
This is one of my favorite Shakespeare plays. It understands the tragedy, the passion, the patience (and impatience), the elation and excitement that is love. I’m looking forward to seeing how everyone experiences this show differently and personally.
Tragedy/Comedy/Romance: what’s your favorite Shakespeare play on the page? Why?
Twelfth Night and The Tempest are my favorites. They are all three of those things combined into one. Twelfth Night has the most beautiful language. And The Tempest has a magic to it that requires an imagination. They focus on the importance and definition family, love, identity, and illusion.
Emily Peterson as Hermia and Daniel Fredrick as Lysander in the Festival’s 2012 production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
Daniel Fredrick: Florizel
How many years have you performed with the Heart of America Shakespeare Festival?
This is my third year, I was in Midsummer/Antony & Cleopatra in 2012 and Much Ado About Nothing in 2005
What’s your favorite part of working with the Festival?
I love the company here. I started out as a camper with the Exploration camp, where my teachers were David Fritts, Matt Rapport, and Kathleen Warfel, and we went to see Hamlet with Jason Chanos, Mark Robbins, Bob Brand, Jan Rogge, and Cinnamon Schultz. Two years later, I was in Much Ado right after I graduated from high school, and got to work alongside many of those actors. I was so green but it was a perfect master/apprentice relationship. I got to learn from some of the best talent in Kansas City, and work directly with Sidonie which was incredible. Everyone was so generous with their time and spirit, and took me under their wing and treated me like an equal. What made that so rewarding was the chance to come back seven years later for the 20th anniversary season and be a part of the repertory of Midsummer Night’s Dream and Antony & Cleopatra. Each year my experience here just gets richer and richer and I’m so grateful to Sidonie and everyone here for continuing to welcome me.
Which has been your favorite role/show? What made it memorable?
It’s early days, but I think this summer may end up being my favorite so far. I think this play is just astoundingly moving and beautiful. The way the pain and tragedy of the first half gives way to the joyful, comic, and miraculous nature of the second gets me every time. The play comes full circle when Hermione and Perdita are reunited and I’m overcome every time I see it.
What are you looking forward to the most with this summer’s production of The Winter’s Tale?
The chance to work with my sister for the first time! She’s an actress as well and was in the festival’s production of As You Like It last summer. I directed her in a one-act when she was a freshman in high school and I was a senior, but we’ve never been in a play together. Getting to share this experience with her is just wonderful, makes the festival feel even more like home.
Tragedy/Comedy/Romance: what’s your favorite Shakespeare play on the page? Why?
Comedy-wise, I think Twelfth Night is unbeatable. That play is so funny and so perfectly structured, the plots and subplots are all equally enjoyable and when they’re all carried off then the audience can’t help but go on the ride. The history plays are probably my favorite, though. I love the epic scope and beautifully defined characters of the Henriads. I’m working on Henry IV when I get back to Philadelphia, where I live, and am very excited for that. The poetry and tone of Richard II is as good as Shakespeare gets. And then you have the three parts of Henry VI leading into the big finale of Richard III. Great stuff.
Nathan Bovos as Amiens in the Festival’s 2013 As You Like It. Photo by: Brian Collins
Nathan Bovos: Second Gentleman, Gaoler
How many years have you performed with the Heart of America Shakespeare Festival?
This is my second year performing and third year teaching with HASF
What’s your favorite part of working with the Festival?
When i was about 13 I took a summer camp with HASF, one of the first years they did them. After that I had my parents take me almost every night and drop me off to watch the shows. Getting to be on stage with those actors who inspired me all those years ago is a great feeling.
Which has been your favorite role/show? What made it memorable?
Last year, my first year performing, playing Lord Amiens in As You Like It. I had always wanted to be a part of the festival and getting to sing that incredible music that Greg composed was amazing. Getting to sing ‘Blow Blow Thou Winter Wind’, each night, was magical for me.
What are you looking forward to the most with this summer’s production of The Winter’s Tale?
Getting to be in one of my favorite plays of Shakespeare’s that is not done very much. If you spend your life in classical theatre you will probably end up doing Hamlet, Macbeth, Much Ado, Romeo and Juliet, but Winter’s Tale is one you could go your whole life and never get to perform in and I think it’s his best romance because it deals with loss and time in such a genuine way. It has a happy ending, but the past is not forgotten. The weight of the past still lingers in the spirit of the piece. It always gives me chills at the end.
Tragedy/Comedy/Romance: what’s your favorite Shakespeare play on the page? Why?
Ah, the meanest question of all! Of all his plays the one that continues to be my personal favorite is Twelfth NIght. It is another of those ‘comedies’ that has a similar kind of ending that I love about Winter’s Tale, honest and genuine. It also has my favorite character, Feste, the best of all his fools. When I read Twelfth Night, I feel like I know each and every person in the play. The story lines intertwine like a great Greek melodrama, almost. The moments of sorrow and joy that the characters live thru is the most alive for me of all his plays. He gives his audience a touch of every emotion, but never overwhelms you. Based on what we can assume in his play chronology, he wrote this in the middle of his career right about the time he just wrote Julius Caeser and right before or during Hamlet so he is at the top of his game at this point; he has perfected his style and poetry and I don’t think any play of his demonstrates this from open to close like 12th Night. It is as beautiful on the page as it is on the stage
Nicole Greenberg, photo courtesy of actor
Nicole Greenberg: Emilia, Bohemian Peasant
How many years have you performed with the Heart of America Shakespeare Festival?
This is my first year working with the festival and I am so grateful for the opportunity to work with such incredibly talented artists that I’ve seen on the KC stages throughout the year!
What’s your favorite part of working with the Festival?
My favorite part of working at the Festival is being exposed to a play that I was less than familiar with. The Winter’s Tale is not a traditional Shakespeare that everyone knows, so it’s wonderful to dive head first knowing we will be telling the story to a lot of people who have never heard of it before.
Which has been your favorite role/show? What made it memorable?
As an actor here in Kansas City one of my favorite roles has been playing Olympia in Big Love! By Charles Mee. I love physical comedy and working with an ensemble and that production had a great marriage of both. There is nothing like creating a family through your theatre travels, and it happens all of the time. The family here at HASF has been wonderfully inviting, warm and inclusive.
What are you looking forward to the most with this summer’s production of The Winter’s Tale?
I am excited to work outside under the stars performing live. There is a real bond between acting and nature where it becomes almost spiritual. Shakespeare belong under the stars and I cannot wait to share that with the people of Kansas City.
Tragedy/Comedy/Romance: what’s your favorite Shakespeare play on the page? Why?
I am a comedy girl through and through so my favorite Shakespeare is As you Like It. I think that play captures all the classic shakespearean hijinks and still finds ways to incorporate very truthful human messages.
Frank Oakley III, photo courtesy of actor
Frank Oakley III: Dion/Bohemian
How many years have you performed with the Heart of America Shakespeare Festival?
This is my first year performing with HASF.
What’s your favorite part of working with the Festival?
My favorite part of working with the festival is being around all the heavyweights of Shakespeare and learning from them. It’s like a 6 week master class in Shakespeare!
Which has been your favorite role/show? What made it memorable?
Well as far as Shakespeare goes it would be this production and R&J at the Rep. What made both productions rememberable was the physicality. I LOVE physicality and stage combat…LOVE.
What are you looking forward to the most with this summer’s production of The Winter’s Tale?
What I’m looking forward to most for this production is just the great story telling that we create together for the audience. It’s such a great show that if we, and we will, tell the story by letting Shakespeare’s words do all the work, people every night will walk away being affected.
Tragedy/Comedy/Romance: what’s your favorite Shakespeare play on the page? Why?
To be honest, I haven’t read a lot of Shakespeare. Out if the few Bard plays I’ve read, it’s a toss-up between Othello and Titus Andronicus. I would love to play Othello and Aaron some day!
Trevor Harr, photo courtesy of actor
Trevor Harr: Bohemian Peasant
How many years have you performed with the Heart of America Shakespeare Festival?
2 years.
What’s your favorite part of working with the Festival?
Everything. I love working with fellow actors at what I love doing. Everybody is incredibly nice and all the hard work pays off in the park.
Which has been your favorite role/show? What made it memorable?
My favorite role has been an Orchard Worker and Forest Dweller in As You Like It. This was my first time performing with the festival and this is where it all started for me.
What are you looking forward to the most with this summer’s production of The Winter’s Tale?
I am looking forward to going down to the park and seeing this show come to life.
Tragedy/Comedy/Romance: what’s your favorite Shakespeare play on the page? Why?
My favorite Shakespeare play is Macbeth because it is easy to follow, it has a varitety of characters, and it was my first show I had a role in.
Colton Richards, photo courtesy of actor
Colton Richards: Bohemian Peasant
How many years have you performed with the Heart of America Shakespeare Festival?
I have performed with the festival for two years, but not in a row. The last time I did was when we were putting on midsummer nights dream and Antony and Cleopatra.
What’s your favorite part of working with the Festival?
I love the people in the festival, the relationships I’ve formed with the teen cast are some of the strongest I have ever formed in any show I have ever been in.
Which has been your favorite role/show? What made it memorable?
My favorite show I did with the festival was Antony and Cleopatra, because I got this super sweet singing role in a party scene, and the reactions I got from the audience and the people on stage made it that much more amazing.
What are you looking forward to the most with this summer’s production of The Winter’s Tale?
Getting to know the people I haven’t met before should be a lot of fun!
Marek Burns, photo courtesy of actor
Marek Burns: Mamillius
How many years have you performed with the Heart of America Shakespeare Festival?
This is my first year in the Festival.
What’s your favorite part of working with the Festival?
My favorite part so far is being able to sword fight. I also like working with the actors because they are all really funny.
What are you looking forward to the most with this summer’s production of The Winter’s Tale?
I am looking forward to being able to perform in front of all the people. I also can’t wait to see the bear!
Background: Colton Richards, Zachary Hoar, Logan Black, Greg Brostrom, Andrea Geurtsen, Matthew Rapport.Foreground: Robert Gibby Brand, Jason Chanos, John Rensenhouse and David Fritts.In the Festival’s 2012 production of Antony and Cleopatra.Photo by: Brian Collins
The Winter’s Tale runs Tuesdays-Sundays June 17-July 6, with a show Monday, June 30 and NO SHOW Friday, July 4. Southmoreland Park gates open at 6 p.m. and the show begins at 8 p.m. For reserved seating or for any other questions, please call 816.531.7728 or visit kcshakes.org
