Asolo Rep Presents An FSU/Asolo Conservatory Touring Production Of THE TEMPEST

Asolo Rep proudly presents an FSU/Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training touring production of William Shakespeare's magical masterpiece THE TEMPEST. This inventive, new 45-minute adaptation will be directed by Asolo Rep Associate Artistic Director Celine Rosenthal and adapted by Tyler Dobrowsky, who streamlined last season's touring production of Julius Caesar. The ninth annual educational touring production will travel to schools and community venues throughout the state of Florida from September 25 through November 19. There will also be a special performance for educators, press and the public on Friday, September 28 at 6pm in the Cook Theatre, located in the FSU Center for the Performing Arts.

After Prospera's dukedom is wrongfully stripped from her by her own brother, she and her daughter, Miranda, flee in the dark of night and find haven on a deserted island. Twelve years pass and Prospera's prowess for sorcery and thirst for revenge flourish. When she conjures a shipwreck to bring her enemies to the island, mischief, madness and magic ensue. In this fast-paced adaptation, both funny and ferocious, the next generation will have the chance to explore their own definition of justice and consider the responsibility of those who wield power.

THE TEMPEST will feature choreography by Leymis Bolaños Wilmott of Sarasota Contemporary Dance, costumes by Drama Desk nominee Loren Shaw, and original music by Lizzie Hagestedt.

Director Celine Rosenthal is a Tony nominated producer (Leap of Faith, Seminar) and a founding member of The Neela Theatre Project for at-risk youth in Mumbai. Her work has been seen at the Tristan Bates Theatre in London, NYMF, New York City Center, MMAC, 54 Below, 59E59, Abingdon Theatre and in the Broadway's Future Songbook Series at Lincoln Center. Her recent projects include Kander & Ebb's Chicago at Children's Theatre Company in Minneapolis, Borders in a Bedroom at The Tamasha Festival (Awarded Best Production), Adam Ashraf's The Death of Grandma Hanem at Theatre For The New City and Drowning in Cairo at The National Queer Theater.

"As a director, I'm endlessly fascinated by what happens to a narrative when we keep everything the same and simply change the gender of a character. Several of the roles, including Prospera, are female in our production; not just female actors playing male roles. I think it's important to note how we perceive stories in a different way when we see them with bodies that are not what we have been taught to expect to see," said Celine Rosenthal. "And by the end of the play, Prospera realizes she can use her magic to affect the world constructively and beneficially, which is something I think we should all be teaching the next generation to value."

Third-year FSU/Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training students make up THE TEMPEST acting company. The FSU/Asolo Conservatory is a three-year Master of Fine Arts graduate degree program that has been named one of the top 10 actor training programs in the country by U.S. News and World Report. During the third year of their training, following the completion of the tour, Conservatory students join Asolo Rep's professional company of actors and perform in Asolo Rep's mainstage season.

"Bringing world-class theatre to the next generation of theatre artists and patrons is both a privilege and a responsibility we do not take lightly," said Asolo Rep Producing Artistic Director Michael Donald Edwards. "To have young people experience a strong and powerful woman as Prospera - a role originally written for and typically played by a man - will have a deeply profound impact on the way in which they see themselves, each other and the world. I cannot wait to bring this innovative and inspiring production, under the direction of the remarkably creative Celine Rosenthal, to our community."

Last season's touring production of Julius Caesar was experienced by more than 15,000 students and community members. Each performance of THE TEMPEST will include a post-show discussion with the cast, and school performances will be supplemented with study guides, suggested activities, and other behind-the-scenes material to engage students before and after the performance.

Celine Rosenthal (Director, THE TEMPEST; Asolo Rep Associate Artistic Director, a position made possible, in part, with the generous support of the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation) is an NYU Tisch alum, Tony-nominated producer (Leap of Faith, Seminar), and a New Georges Jammer. She is the recipient of directing fellowships at Manhattan Theatre Club and Asolo Repertory Theatre, as well as an SDCF observership. Her work has been seen at the Tristan Bates Theatre in London, NYMF, New York City Center, MMAC, 54 Below, 59E59, Abingdon Theatre and in the Broadway's Future Songbook Series at Lincoln Center. Recent projects include Chicago: The Musical at Children's Theatre Company in Minneapolis, Borders in a Bedroom at the Tamasha Festival (Awarded Best Production), Drowning in Cairo at The National Queer Theater, and last season's FSU/Asolo Conservatory production of Motherf***er with the Hat.

Tickets for THE TEMPEST opening night performance in the Cook Theatre on September 28 at 6pm are $25 and will go on sale Friday, September 7 at 10am. Tickets are available by calling or visiting the box office (941.351.8000 or 800.361.8388; 5555 N. Tamiami Trail) or online at www.asolorep.org.

Asolo Repertory Theatre is located at 5555 North Tamiami Trail in the Florida State University Center for the Performing Arts. Box office hours through October 30 are Monday through Friday 10am-5pm. Season subscription packages are also available online and by visiting or calling the box office.

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