The Old Globe and University of San Diego Shiley Graduate Theatre Program Presents Shakespeare's JULIUS CAESAR

The Old Globe today announced the cast and creative team for The Old Globe and University of San Diego Shiley Graduate Theatre Program presentation of William Shakespeare's Julius Caesar. Directed by Allegra Libonati, the classic political tragedy will run October 20-28, 2018 in the Sheryl and Harvey White Theatre, part of the Globe's Conrad Prebys Theatre Center. Opening night is Saturday, October 20 at 8:00 p.m. Tickets to Julius Caesar are now on sale and can be purchased online at www.TheOldGlobe.org, by phone at (619) 23-GLOBE, or by visiting the Box Office.

"Cowards die many times before their deaths;

The valiant never taste of death but once."

Though Caesar is beloved by the people of Rome, after his latest military triumph, senators Brutus and Cassius sense a dictator in the making. But the honorable Brutus faces a wrenching decision: stage a coup for the sake of country, or stay loyal to Caesar. The Globe's intimate Arena Stage gives you an up-close seat for Shakespeare's masterful tale of cunning diplomacy, fast-shifting alliances, and the unpredictable consequences of betrayal. The classical actors of tomorrow, now training in The Old Globe and University of San Diego Shiley Graduate Theatre Program, expertly perform one of the world's great plays.

"The Old Globe and USD Shiley Graduate Theatre Program is one of our country's leading professional actor training conservatories, and I'm as proud of the work the Globe does in nurturing the next generation of American actors as I am of anything else in this institution's life," said Old Globe Erna Finci Viterbi Artistic Director Barry Edelstein. "First-rate talent thrives in this program, as evidenced from their amazing work in student showcases, their annual Shakespeare presentation, and their roles onstage in the Globe's Summer Shakespeare Festival performances. This is talent that will continue to shape American entertainment in the future. Allegra Libonati, the director of Julius Caesar, makes her Globe debut with a thrilling new approach to this classic story of political intrigue and national upheaval. I look forward to sharing this glimpse of our best emerging talent with San Diego's audiences."

The cast features Carlos Angel-Barajas (Cicero, Cina the Poet, Octavius), Summer Broyhill (Calphurnia, Lepidus), Ramon Burris (Casca), Mason Conrad (Artimidorus, Cobbler, Servant), Yadira Correa (Caisus Cassius), Aubrey Deeker Hernandez (Decius Brutus, Lucilius), Bibi Mama (Trebonius, Messala), Hallie Peterson (Marcus Brutus), Jersten Seraile (Julius Caesar), Morgan Taylor (Cinna, Titinus), Wenona Truong (Portia, Servant to Octavius), Jared Van Heel (Mark Antony), Marco Antonio Vega (Metellus Cimber, Pindarus), and Eric Weiman (Soothsayer, Lucius). Further supporting characters will be played by the ensemble.

The creative team includes Anna Lineham Robinson (Scenic Design), Elisa Benzoni (Costume Design), Brandon H. Rosen (Lighting Design), Kevin Anthenill (Sound Design and Original Music), Jan Gist (Voice and Speech Coach), George Yé (Fight Choreographer), Abraham Stoll (Dramaturg), Nicole Ries (Production Stage Manager), and Sebastian Perfetto (Assistant Stage Manager).

Allegra Libonati (Director) is a director for theatre and opera. She has served as Resident Director at American Repertory Theater for nine seasons, where her credits include The Pirate Princess, The Light Princess, Hansel and Gretel, and The Snow Queen (as director); Sleep No More (artistic associate); the workshop of Pippin, The Tempest, In the Body of the World, and Prometheus Bound (associate director); Crossing (assistant director); and The Donkey Show (Resident Director). Her Broadway credits include the Tony Award-winning revival of Hair (assistant director), and her opera credits include Stravinsky's The Rake's Progress (Boston Lyric Opera) and Verdi's Falstaff (Opera Omaha). She has directed Romeo and Juliet (Commonwealth Shakespeare Company on Boston Common), King Lear (Wayne State University), and Detroit and Henry IV, Parts I and II (Resonance Theatre Ensemble). She has directed outdoor musicals and Shakespeare productions for 13 seasons at Summer Theatre of New Canaan, including Legally Blonde (12 BroadwayWorld Award nominations), Hairspray (nine BroadwayWorld nominations), South Pacific, My Fair Lady, Carousel, Twelfth Night, The Taming of the Shrew, A Midsummer Night's Dream, and H4, an original adaptation of Henry IV, Parts I and II). Internationally she directed a new immersive adventure show, Peter Pan's Neverland, in Beijing, China. Ms. Libonati guest teaches musical theatre at Harvard University and is a MIT Director's Fellow. She is a member of Tut'Zanni Theatre Company and a graduate of New York University and Carnegie Mellon University.

TICKETS to Julius Caesar are $19 for the general public; $16 for Old Globe subscribers, students, seniors, active military, and USD faculty and staff; $12 for groups of 10 or more; and $8 for USD students with valid ID. Tickets can be purchased online at www.TheOldGlobe.org, by phone at (619) 23-GLOBE, or by visiting the Box Office at 1363 Old Globe Way in Balboa Park. Performances at the Sheryl and Harvey White Theatre begin on October 20 and continue through October 28. Performance times: Saturday, October 20 at 8:00 p.m.; Sunday, October 21 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.; Tuesday, October 23 at 7:00 p.m.; Wednesday, October 24 at 7:00 p.m.; Thursday, October 25 at 8:00 p.m.; Friday, October 26 at 8:00 p.m.; Saturday, October 27 at 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.; and Sunday, October 28 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.

A joint venture of The Old Globe and the University of San Diego, the Shiley Graduate Theatre Program annually accepts seven students out of hundreds of applicants to participate in an intensive two-year, year-round course of graduate study in classical theatre. In 1987, The Old Globe and the University of San Diego established a graduate acting program. The result has been one of the most acclaimed classical training programs in the United States. It is also one of the most competitive graduate acting programs in the country, earning top honors from both The Hollywood Reporter and Backstage as among the best in the world for 2018. For additional information, visit www.globemfa.org.

The program's graduates have made their mark in the profession. They have performed extensively on and Off Broadway, in regional theatres, in feature films, and on television. They have also founded successful theatre companies, written award-winning plays and screenplays, and performed throughout Europe and Canada. Notable graduates include Jim Parsons, the Golden Globe and Emmy Award-winning star of "The Big Bang Theory," recently seen in The Boys in the Band on Broadway, where his alumni colleagues have recently included Brian Hutchison (The Boys in the Band), Shirine Babb (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child), Amy Blackman (Angels in America), and Henny Russell (Oslo), with Off Broadway appearances by Amara James Aja (Peter and the Starcatcher) and Lucas Caleb Rooney (2016 Obie Award for Red Speedo).

Private funding for the program has been contributed through a generous endowment established by Donald and Darlene Shiley. Additional support for the program is provided by Terry Atkinson, the Dorothy Brown Endowment Fund, and the Louis Yager Cantwell Foundation. Financial support is provided by The City of San Diego.

LOCATION and PARKING INFORMATION: The Old Globe is located in San Diego's Balboa Park at 1363 Old Globe Way. The Balboa Park valet is available during weekend performances, located in front of the Japanese Friendship Garden. For additional parking information visit www.BalboaPark.org.

There are numerous free parking lots available throughout the park. Guests may also be dropped off in front of the Mingei International Museum. There is a 10-minute zone at The Old Globe, used only for daytime deliveries, ticket purchases, and handicapped access dropoff. For directions and up-to-date information, please visit www.theoldglobe.org/plan-your-visit/directions--parking/detailed-directions.

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