Barry Edelstein Named Director of Shakespeare Lab; 2008 Applications Now Available

The Public Theater announced that Barry Edelstein will be the Director of The Public Theater Shakespeare Lab. The Public is now accepting applications for the 2008 Shakespeare Lab, a twelve-week acting intensive scheduled to take place June 2 through August 25, 2008.  The application deadline is Friday, March 21.

For information on the Lab and application instructions, please visit www.publictheater.org or call (212) 539-8525.

Now entering its 14th year and its first under newly-appointed Director Barry Edelstein, The Public Theater Shakespeare Lab presents a unique opportunity for actors to develop the skills necessary for work on the classical repertoire. Founded by former artistic producer of the Public Theater, Rosemarie Tichler, the Lab immerses the actor in Shakespeare's plays and language.

The faculty comprises some of the most respected teachers of classical theater in New York and the world. Instructors in previous years have included Christopher Bayes, Michael Cumpsty, John Dias, Peter Francis James, Ron Van Lieu, J. Steven White, and Janet Zarish. Major artists, leading industry figures, and Shakespeare experts have lectured in the Lab, such as Dana Ivey, Kevin Kline, Mark Lamos, Roger Rees, Liev Schreiber, George C. Wolfe, Public Theater casting directors Heidi Griffiths and Jordan Thaler, and Columbia University scholar James Shapiro.  The intensity and high caliber of the Shakespeare Lab's training distinguishes the program as one of the country's leading conservatories for Shakespearean performance.

Numerous graduates of the Shakespeare Lab have gone on to secure roles on Broadway, Off-Broadway, and in regional theaters and Shakespeare Festivals, in addition to work in film and television. Graduates of the Shakespeare Lab who have subsequently appeared onstage at the Public Theater include: Maggie Siff (The Ruby Sunrise); Ryan McCarthy (King Lear with Kevin Kline); Elena Shaddow, Nana Mensah and Jennifer Kidwell (workshop of The Bacchae, directed by JoAnne Akalaitis); and Julio Monge (Antony and Cleopatra with Vanessa Redgrave).

Barry Edelstein has directed Shakespeare at The Public Theater and at venues around New York City and the country.  He staged Julius Caesar starring Jeffrey Wright at the Delacorte in Cental Park and The Merchant of Venice, featuring Ron Leibman's OBIE award-winning portrayal of Shylock at the Public.  From 1998-2003 he was Artistic Director of Classic Stage Company, where he directed Richard III starring John Turturro and Julianna Margulies and The Winter's Tale starring David Strathairn.  At the Williamstown Theater Festival, he directed As You Like It starring Gwyneth Paltrow.

To post a comment, you must register and login.