Much Ado About Nothing at Scenic City Shakespeare

Scenic City Shakespeare in Chattanooga, TN will present William Shakespeares Much Ado About Nothing May 21, 22, 23 (Friday & Saturday 7:30pm, Sunday 2:30pm, Eastern Standard Time). Inspired by the style and popularity of Bridgerton on Netflix, this comedy is produced entirely online on green screen with a cast from 6 States and the UK. The play is adapted and directed by Emma Collins and features actors brought together from their homes onto virtual sets by Technical Director Ryan Laskowski, text coaching by Helen Knudsen, and costume design by Brenda Schwab. Much Ado About Nothing is presented free online with limited virtual VIP tickets available for purchase at www.sceniccityshakespeare.org.Were incredibly thankful for the support weve received from our community and through ArtsBuild's Grassroots Arts and Culture and Recovery Fund says Scenic City Shakespeare Artistic Director Ryan Laskowski. With the additional funding weve been able to provide quality green screens and costumes, as well as a small stipend for our actors. Officially gaining nonprofit status in February 2020, opening with traditional live performances was not an option for the young company due to COVID-19, and they quickly pivoted to Remote Theatre. Since last April, SCS has produced 3 live-streamed productions and hosted a Halloween themed Stream-a-thon fundraiser, all conducted remotely. Self-Isolated Shakespeare concludes with Much Ado About Nothing, with Peter Morgans Frost/Nixon scheduled for outdoor performances in July.Regency Romance is huge right now, and this story really lends itself to the time period, says Emma Collins, whose Much Ado adaptation includes a Lady Shakespeare gossip column and alters traditional casting based on the theme. Weve also added an ambitious mama, expanding the non-speaking mother character included in early stage directions but usually cut from the play.As for the green screen technique, Its such an interesting and exciting challenge, says Collins, who serves as Education Director for the organization. The actors are completely on their own in their space, they have to know exactly where to focus to be looking at their scene partners, and of course no one can physically touch or exchange props. It requires creative blocking and a lot of trust and imagination from our cast. When everyone is together on these gorgeous virtual sets, its magic.Featuring Kashun Parks, Erik Schiller, Maggie Langhorne, Sam Rude, Nicanor Campos, and Paige Breese with Bryan Basil, Cathleen Brumback, Thomas Breland, Kate McDuffie, Amanda Medlin, Mark Oglesby, Dana Rogers, Art Sanner, Melanie Vitaterna and Brenda Schwab as Lady Shakespeare.