Jack O'Brien, Oskar Eustis and Evan Yionoulis Set for Westport Country Playhouse's Directors' Forum

Westport Country Playhouse will host a Directors' Forum featuring directors Jack O'Brien, three-time Tony Award winner and former artistic director of The Old Globe; Oskar Eustis, artistic director of The Public Theater and Shakespeare in the Park; and Evan Yionoulis, Obie Award winner and professor at Yale School of Drama, on Sunday, November 12, at 5:45 p.m., following the 3 p.m. performance of Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet."

They will join Mark Lamos, Westport Country Playhouse artistic director, Tony Award nominee, Lucille Lortel Award winner, and director of "Romeo and Juliet"; and Milla Riggio, Shakespeare scholar, for an intimate conversation on the Playhouse stage entitled, "Bringing the Bard to Life: Directing Shakespeare in the 21st Century." The group will discuss Shakespeare's enduring legacy and how directors and actors give the work new life for contemporary audiences.

The forum is free and open to the public; a ticket to the play is not required. RSVP to boxoffice@westportplayhouse.org or call 203-227-4177.

The Directors' Forum is part of the Playhouse's eighth annual educational and community engagement initiative, "As Boundless as the Sea: The Genius of William Shakespeare," surrounding the production of "Romeo and Juliet." For a complete schedule of events for the initiative, visit www.westportplayhouse.org/Romeo-Juliet-education-initiative.

"Romeo and Juliet," William Shakespeare's timeless love story, with a cast of 20, period costuming, sword fights, and scenic design by a Tony Award winner, will run from October 31 through November 19. The tale of two teenagers who fight to love each other in a violent world has never before been produced at the Playhouse during its 87 seasons.

Initiative partners are The Acting Company, Housatonic Community College, Norwalk Community College, and Westport Public Library. Education sponsor is The Graham Foundation of Connecticut, Inc. Education Initiative is made possible with support from The David and Geri Epstein Private Foundation and the National Endowment for the Arts.

"Romeo and Juliet" Production Sponsors are Czekaj Artistic Productions, Barbara and John Samuelson, and Barbara and John Streicker; Corporate Production Sponsor is Fidelity Investments. Production Partners are Carol and Peter Seldin; Corporate Production Partner is Cohen and Wolf.

For more information and to buy tickets, visit www.westportplayhouse.org or call the box office at (203) 227-4177, toll-free at 1-888-927-7529, or visit Westport Country Playhouse, 25 Powers Court, off Route 1, Westport. Stay connected to the Playhouse on Facebook (Westport Country Playhouse), follow on Twitter (@WCPlayhouse), and on YouTube (WestportPlayhouse).

The mission of the not-for-profit Westport Country Playhouse is to enrich, enlighten, and engage the community through the power of professionally produced theater worth talking about and the welcoming experience of the Playhouse campus. The Playhouse creates this relationship with the community and provides this experience in multiple ways by offering: Live theater experiences of the highest quality, under the artistic direction of Mark Lamos, from May through November; educational and community engagement events and opportunities to further explore issues presented by the work on stage; special performances and programs for students and teachers with extensive curriculum support material; Script in Hand play readings throughout the year to deepen relationships with audiences and artists alike; the renowned Woodward Internship Program training program during the summer months for aspiring theater professionals; Family Festivities presentations from December through May to delight young and old alike and to promote reading through live theater; youth performance training through Broadway Method Academy, the Playhouse's resident conservatory; and the beautiful and historic Playhouse campus open for enjoyment and community events year-round. The value of the Westport Country Playhouse to all it touches is immeasurable.

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