This summer INDEPENDENT SHAKESPEARE CO. presents the dark spectacle, TITUS ANDRONICUS at the GRIFFITH PARK FREE SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL featuring David Melville as Titus and directed by Independent Shakespeare Co.'s Artistic Director, Melissa Chalsma. Celebrating the 15th anniversary season of free Shakespeare in Los Angeles City Parks, TITUS ANDRONICUS opened at THE GRIFFITH PARK FREE SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL on Saturday, August 4 at 7:00pm and will perform throughSunday, September 1 at the Old Zoo in Griffith Park. All ISC Summer Shakespeare productions are FREE to the public! TITUS ANDRONICUS is the second of two productions being presented at this year's GRIFFITH PARK FREE SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL. A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM is currently playing and will run in repertory through September 2.
Along with designing the final costume worn by Tamora, Queen of the Goths, Pinup Girl Clothing has partnered with Independent Shakespeare Co. for an Instagram contest. By sharing a favorite Shakespeare quote, tagging @pinupgirlclothing, @indyshakes and using the hashtags #coutureforeverybody, #pinupgirlclothing, and #shakespearesetfree, one winner will receive a $250 Pinup Girl Clothing gift card and four reserved seats to TITUS ANDRONICUS on Goth Night at the Saturday, August 11thperformance. Goth Night is one of the special events celebrating the 15th Anniversary Season of ISC presenting free Shakespeare in Los Angeles City Parks. Audience members are encouraged to dress up in their best goth attire for a night of cosplay and costumes.
TITUS ANDRONICUS is "Game of Thrones" for the Renaissance stage and was the young Shakespeare's first big hit. Titus, a Roman general, returns from the war in triumph with Tamora, Queen of the Goths, as prisoner. What follows is a visceral story of temptation, political machinations, and the thirst for vengeance. It's full of bloody spectacle and dark humor.
Comments director Melissa Chalsma, "The designers and I were looking to create a modern-inflected fantasy Rome. One key component is Tamora's transformation from the Queen of the war-like Goths to the glamorous Empress of a decadent Rome. We are very excited to work with Laura Byrnes and Pinup Girl Clothing. She was able to perfectly represent Tamora's transformation. Her exquisite second act dress drips with sophistication and sexual power."
Pinup Girl Clothing's Head Creative/Designer Laura Byrne comments, "As a female business owner for 20 years now it is always a pleasure to work with other women in business and witness a mutual growth and connection. Considering the intense patriarchal standpoint of TITUS ANDRONICUS, I'm glad to add to the strong feminine backbone of the production by helping Sabra Williams as Tamora feel glamorous and powerful."
In addition, four ISC company members (Rachel Li, Bukola Ogunmola, Katie Powers-Faulk and Sabra Williams) will be seen on www.pinupgirlclothing.com wearing pieces from Pinup Girl Clothing's fall collection (available online). New website launching later this fall.
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