| SEE ALSO - 2007 RESOURCES: TOUR OVERVIEW | SCHOOL ADMINISTRATOR INFO | STUDY GUIDE | THEATRE ETIQUETTE |
OTHELLO
SYNOPSIS
The story begins with Desdemona, a young woman of Venice having just eloped with the “noble Moor” Othello. Othello’s ensign, Iago, is angry at Othello for passing him over for a promotion and giving the rank of lieutenant, which Iago believes is rightfully his, to the Cassio. Swearing vengeance on Othello, Iago begins to lay his plot of revenge, which begins by trying to turn Desdemona’s father against Othello. Meanwhile, the Duke of Venice summons Othello to lead his army and sail to the island of Cyprus to defend it against the Turks. Othello asks his “trusted” ensign Iago to take care of his new wife and follow him to Cyprus. Once in Cyprus, Iago attempts to turn Othello against Cassio by insinuating that Cassio is having an affair with Desdemona. During this time of methodically plotting behind Othello’s back, Iago begins to insinuate himself into the Moor’s confidences. One of the seminal moments in the play is when Desdemona’s maid, Emilia, who happens to be the wife of Iago, finds an embroidered handkerchief that Desdemona has dropped and gives it to Iago. Evil Iago takes the handkerchief and plants it on Cassio. He tells Othello that he has seen Cassio use this handkerchief, which was the first gift that Othello ever gave to Desdemona, and which holds particular sentimental value to him. Othello flies into a rage. Iago then engages Cassio into telling him about his encounters with a local prostitute, Bianca. He has stationed Othello within eavesdropping distance and tells Othello that he will get Cassio to tell him of his illicit affair with Desdemona. Upon hearing Cassio speak of Bianca and believing him to be talking about Desdemona, Othello again flies into a rage, strikes Desdemona, and accuses her of being a whore. Later, convinced that Desdemona is unfaithful, Othello smothers her. Emilia finds them and Othello tells the maid that he has killed his wife for her infidelity, which he would not have known about but for his faithful ensign. Realizing what Iago has done and the part that she unwittingly has played, Emilia confesses that it was she who found the handkerchief and gave it to Iago. Othello is grief-stricken. Iago murders Emilia, his wife, and attempts to flee, but is captured and brought back. Othello attempts to kill Iago, but fails. Othello is told that he must be returned to Venice to stand trial, but before he can be taken, Othello kills himself.
READ MORE!
Mark Robert Blackmon's OTHELLO PREVIEW!
ABOUT SHAKESPEARE IN THE SCHOOLS
We have visited over 40 schools each year, 28% of which were located in communities with a population of less than 1,000. Performed on or near four of Montana’s six Indian reservations and made two trips to Philadelphia. To date, the company has served more than 100,000 young people by bringing Shakespeare's works to life onstage!
Productions have included Macbeth, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Romeo and Juliet, As You Like It, Julius Caesar, Twelfth Night and The Merchant of Venice.
Shakespeare in the Schools 2007 Tour:
Othello: The Moor Of Venice
October 5, 2007 through December 14, 2007
For more booking information contact Kathy Jahnke (406) 994-1220. Email: Kathy Jahnke
PRICING INFORMATION
Would you like Shakespeare to come to your school? If you would like to see this entertaining, educational program in your teenager's school, the first step is to contact either the principal or the head of the English department to make sure the program will fit into the school's schedule.
If they say yes, please call or email Kathy Jahnke (406) 994-1220. Email: Kathy Jahnke or have an administrator at the school contact Kathy.
The cost for the program is $800, which includes an engaging 80-minute production of Othello, a question and answer session between the actors and students, a series of hands-on student workshops and a study guide sent to all schools participating in the Shakespeare in the Schools program.
This years tour runs from October 5, 2007 through December 14, 2007.
Click here to view and print the STUDY GUIDE: OTHELLO
If you have problems downloading this document please contact: Kathy Jahnke (406) 994-1220. Email: Kathy Jahnke
THEATRE ETIQUETTE
Going to see a play is very different from going to the movies. During live theatre, the audience is as important a part of the experience as the actors. The following are things that most experienced audience members know:
1. Live response is good! If you’re telling a story to a friend, and they really respond or listen, it makes you want to tell the story better—to keep telling the story. So, the better an audience listens, laughs and responds, the more the actors want to tell the story. In this way, the audience (as well as the actors) can make a performance great.
2. The actors can hear you talking. If an audience member is not paying attention, the actors know it. Have you ever had a conversation with someone and felt that they’d rather be someplace else? This is the EXACT feeling actors get when people in the audience are talking
3. The actors can see you. Even though actors are pretending to be other characters, it is their job to “check in” with the audience in order to tell the story better. This is another way in which theatre greatly differs from the movies. Film actors can do a take over and over to try to get it right. Theatre actors have one chance with an audience and want to make sure they are communicating clearly. Imagine trying to tell a group of fellow students something only to see them slouching, pretending to be bored, or sitting with their eyes closed in attempt to seem disinterested and “too cool” for what you had to say. Think about it…
4. Cell phones, beepers, candy wrappers, loud gum smacking. Please turn off all cell phones, beepers, (school bells if possible) and open any candy before a show. These things disturb the people around you as well as the actors.
5. Teachers - lead the way for the experience! Teachers, we are performing for you as well as the students. Sitting among students and experiencing the play WITH them can help to enhance their experiences as well as your own. (We’ve actually seen teachers stand all in a group by the door and chat through the entire play. Inadvertently, this lets the students know that Shakespeare is something they have to do rather than something people can look forward to and enjoy.) Your participation as an audience member can make or break a performance. Quietly quelling loud groups of students is greatly encouraged. Remember, besides seeing a Shakespeare play, we are trying to educate our students in how to see and enjoy a piece of theatre, concert or other live cultural event. Please, lead the way…and let us know if you enjoyed the performance too.