Actors' Renaissance 2020
he who Must Be King.
Shakespeare’s masterful tale of family and friends, honor and happiness, and when we are forced to choose between the thing we desire and the thing we must do. See this thrilling coming-of-age story in repertory with Part 2!
BOLD BINGE WEEKENDS
See Part 1 and Part 2 on the same day!
March 21 | April 4 | April 11 | April 18!
TICKETS FOR PART 2 SOLD SEPARATELY.
Cast
Brandon Carter was the Artistic Director of the American Shakespeare Center from January 2022-March 2024.
David Anthony Lewis is an accomplished Actor with over 70 professional theatre credits A Christmas Carol 2024 is his 36th production with ASC.
K.P. Powell is an actor and director with the American Shakespeare Center, known for his dynamic performances and bold storytelling on stage and off.
PREVIOUSLY WITH ASC: 27 seasons and over 200 roles including Falstaff in Henry IV, Parts 1 & 2; Brutus in Julius Caesar; Iago in Othello; Guildenstern in Rosencrantz and Guildenstern …
Ronald Román-Meléndez is an accomplished actor with over 30 previous roles at the American Shakespeare Center.
THIS SEASON: Lady Capulet in Romeo and Juliet and Balthazar, Courtesan, Jailer, Messenger in The Comedy of Errors; Dance Captain.
THIS SEASON: Hero in MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING, Hamlet in HAMLET, First Citizen in CORIOLANUS
Constance Swain is an innovative director whose bold vision and creative energy inspire captivating storytelling at ASC and beyond.
Benjamin has been a resident company member with the American Shakespeare Center since 2014.
THIS SEASON:
Chris Johnston has over 20 years of theatre experience and more than 120 productions at the American Shakespeare Center.
THIS SEASON: Margaret, George Seacoal in Much Ado about Nothing; Mistress Quickly, Travers, Bullcalf, Davy in Henry IV, Part 2; Spaconia in A King…
THIS SEASON: Valentine, Officer, Swing in Twelfth Night; Swing in Othello
THIS SEASON: Ursula in Much Ado about Nothing; Understudy in Henry IV, Part 2; Understudy in Henry IV, Part 1; Messenger, Woman, Understudy in A King
Sam Saint Ours is a talented actor and music director known for his dynamic performances and musical contributions at the American Shakespeare Center.
Artistic Team
Adrienne was the ASC’s Interim Production Manager.
STUFF THAT HAPPENS BEFORE THE PLAY
- William Shakespeare’s Richard II, part of ASC’s 2018 Actors’ Renaissance.
- King Richard II yields his crown to his cousin, Bolingbroke, making him King Henry IV.
- King Henry sends Richard to Pomfret castle where he is eventually killed by Henry’s supporters.
- At the close of Richard II, the newly enthroned Henry IV promises to make a penitential trip to the Holy Land.
STUFF THAT HAPPENS DURING THE PLAY…
- King Henry meets with his advisers to discuss his proposed crusade to the Holy Land, but the discussion turns to new battles on England’s northern borders.
- In the north, England’s forces have prevailed over the Scots, but the young English nobleman Harry Percy (Hotspur) won’t turn over his prisoners to King Henry.
- The King mourns the wanton behavior of his own Harry, his son, the Prince of Wales.
- Away from court, Prince Hal and Sir John Falstaff taunt each other after a night of drinking. Their cohort Poins attempts to enlist them in an upcoming robbery; after Falstaff leaves, Poins persuades Hal to rob and embarrass Falstaff; after Poins leaves, Hal tells the audience his plans for the future.
- King Henry meets with Hotspur, Hotspur’s father (Northumberland), and Hotspur’s uncle (Worcester) to demand that Hotspur give up his prisoners. Hotspur agrees to do so only if the King will ransom Mortimer (Hotspur’s brother-in-law) from captivity in Wales. The King refuses.
- Hotspur’s family members agree on a plot to depose the King that involves Douglas (a Scottish warrior) and Glendower (a self-proclaimed Welsh wizard).
- Falstaff and his confederates (Peto, Bardolph, and Gadshill) rob some travelers and are, in turn, robbed by the disguised Prince Hal and Poins.
- Hotspur reads a letter from a nobleman who refuses to join the rebellion against King Henry. Hotspur’s wife (Lady Percy) asks Hotspur what’s troubling him.
- At a tavern in Eastcheap, Falstaff exaggerates and lies about the robbery. A nobleman brings a summons for Hal from the King.
- In Wales, the rebels plan their campaign against the royal forces and discuss the division of the kingdom they have yet to win.
- Honor, cowardice, bravery, growing up, and civil wars ensue.
Wondering what exactly the Actors’ Renaissance is? Want to learn more about our deepest dive into Shakespeare’s performance conditions? Check out our blog post: