Charlotte_Shakespeare

Charlotte Shakespeare

Charlotte Shakespeare

Theatre company in North Carolina


Charlotte Shakespeare was a professional, non-profit theatre company in Charlotte, North Carolina. The company specialized in intimate and accessible performances of traditional and modern classics, with an emphasis on the plays of William Shakespeare and with a mission of presenting plays "that reflect timeless truths about the human condition and honor Shakespeare’s genius for storytelling and language".

Quick Facts Formation, Type ...

History

The company was founded by Elise Wilkinson and Joe Copley in 2006 under the name Collaborative Arts Theatre. It was granted status as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in 2008. The name was changed to Charlotte Shakespeare in 2012.[1] Charlotte Shakespeare has never had a performance venue of its own. In its first two years productions took place in a tavern, in a series of apartments, and on the Green. Since that time all plays have been produced in theaters at Spirit Square or on The Green. The company went on hiatus in the summer of 2015 and has not reopened.[2]

Production history

2012 Season

  • The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare   August   McGlohon Theatre at Spirit Square
  • The Tempest by William Shakespeare   June   outdoors at The Green
  • Bad Dates by Theresa Rebeck   March   Duke Energy Theatre at Spirit Square

2011 Season

  • Time Stands Still by Donald Margulies   November   Duke Energy Theatre at Spirit Square
  • King Lear by William Shakespeare   August   McGlohon Theatre at Spirit Square
  • Tartuffe by Moliere   June   outdoors at The Green
  • Women of Will   Shakespeare’s heroines   March   Duke Energy Theatre at Spirit Square

2010 Season

  • Incorruptible by Michael Hollinger   November   Duke Energy Theatre at Spirit Square
  • Othello by William Shakespeare   August   McGlohon Theatre at Spirit Square
  • The Comedy of Errors by William Shakespeare   June   outdoors at The Green

2009 Season

  • Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare   August   McGlohon Theatre at Spirit Square
  • Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare   May–June   outdoors at The Green

2008 Season

2007 Season

  • The Sublet Experiment by Ethan Youngerman   October   various venues
  • As You Like It by William Shakespeare   June   outdoors at The Green
  • Fiction by Steven Dietz   March   Duke Power Theatre at Spirit Square

2006 Season

  • Bad Dates by Theresa Rebeck   September   A luxury apartment at 1315 East Condominiums
  • A Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare   May   outdoors at The Green
  • Tavern Shakespeare by Jocelyn Rose and Elise Wilkinson   March   Ri-Ra Irish Pub, near 208 N Tryon St

Charlotte Shakespeare Festival

Each summer Charlotte Shakespeare produced the Charlotte Shakespeare Festival which began in June with a show presented outdoors on The Green, an uptown pocket park.[3] Charlotte Magazine described the annual return of Shakespeare on the Green as, "one of the best cultural gifts Charlotte will get all year".[4] Admission was free and the company depended on voluntary donations. A second show was presented in August at Spirit Square. Most productions were from the Shakespeare canon, but an exception was made in 2011 when the outdoor summer play was Tartuffe by Moliere.

Awards & reviews

Metrolina Theatre Association awards

The Metrolina Theatre Association (MTA) is a Charlotte organization which gives awards each year to support and advocate for local theatre, and these awards are a major source of public recognition for theatres, shows, and individuals. A selected list of MTA awards won by Collaborative Arts is shown below.

  • 2011 Outstanding Supporting Actor - Female - comedy: Meghan Lowther (Dorine) - Tartuffe [5]
  • 2011 Outstanding Costume Design - drama: Suzy Hartness - King Lear[5]
  • 2010 Outstanding Production - comedy: Incorruptible[5]
  • 2010 Outstanding Direction - comedy: Peter Smeal - Incorruptible[5]
  • 2010 Outstanding Supporting Actor - Male - comedy: Joe Copley (Brother Martin) - Incorruptible[5]
  • 2010 Outstanding Costume Design - comedy: Erin Dougherty - The Comedy of Errors[6]
  • 2010 Outstanding Cameo: Alan England (Duke/Musician) - Othello[6]
  • 2008 Other Exemplary Performance/Element - comedy: Sitcoms Live![7]
  • 2008 Outstanding Set Design - comedy: Chris Timmons - Much Ado About Nothing[8]

Creative Loafing's Annual Charlotte Theatre Awards

Creative Loafing (CL) is a publisher of newsweeklies and their associated websites focusing on local affairs, including arts and entertainment. A selected list of CL awards won by Collaborative Arts is shown below.

  • 2011 Best Supporting Actress - drama: Christine Dougan (Emilia) - Othello[9]
  • 2011 Top 20 Shows: Othello[9]
  • 2011 Top 20 Shows: Incorruptible [9]
  • 2010 Outstanding Costume Design - comedy: Erin Dougherty - The Comedy of Errors[10]
  • 2010 Outstanding Cameo - drama: Alan England (Duke/Musician) - Othello[10]
  • 2007 Best Performing Arts Overachiever: Elise Wilkinson[11]
  • 2007 Best Supporting Actress - drama: Elise Wilkinson (Abby) - Fiction[12]
  • 2007 Sweet 16 Award: The Sublet Experiment[12]
  • 2007 Sweet 16 Award: Fiction[12]
  • 2006 Theater Event of the Year: Shakespeare on the Green[13]
  • 2006 Sweet 16 Award: Bad Dates[13]
  • 2006 Sweet 16 Award: A Midsummer Night's Dream[13]

Selected Reviews


References

  1. "CarolinaSmallTownLiving! Fun Things to Do in Charlotte NC--Shakespeare at The Green". Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2012-12-30.
  2. "2010 - 2011 Awards". Metro Line Theatre. Archived from the original on 2013-04-15. Retrieved February 2, 2018.
  3. Rough-edged fun at uptown pub, by Julie York Coppens, Charlotte Observer, March 14, 2006
  4. 'Midsummer Night' makes delightful free debut in uptown park, by Julie York Coppens, Charlotte Observer, May 13, 2006
  5. Unusual Location suits collaborative Arts' funny 1-woman show, by Julie York Coppens, Charlotte Observer, September 9, 2006
  6. Open Diaries Reveal Lies of Love, by Julie York Coppens, Charlotte Observer, March 10, 2007

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