Liesl Tommy and More to Share Expertise in SHAKESPEARE AND THE RULES OF WAR Panel in D.C.

The Shakespeare Theatre Company's Bard Association presents Shakespeare and the Law, its signature discussion series, on Tuesday, April 11, 2017 at 7 p.m. at the Lansburgh Theatre (450 7 St., NW). The Shakespeare and the Law series explores in-depth examinations into the roles of lawyers and legal issues in Shakespeare plays and classical theatre pieces.

This event will focus on Shakespeare and the ethics of war - specifically the rules regarding treatment of civilians - while exploring works like Henry (IV, V, VI and VIII), Julius Caesar and Titus Andronicus.

"Our Shakespeare and the Law Series has brought together government, media, legal and other experts to show how the writings of the Bard 400 years ago remain vital in the issues of our day. With the program for Shakespeare and the Rules of War we bring together a panel of diverse professional backgrounds who will reflect on their experiences to present an informative and lively discussion" said Abbe Lowell, Chair of STC Bard Association.

Bestselling historical fiction novelist Bernard Cornwell, author of the Last Kingdom Series, will contribute by considering warfare ranging from the battles of Shakespeare's plays, to the Peninsular War in his incomparable novels on the adventures of Richard Sharpe. The Honorable Ryan Zinke, Secretary of the Department of the Interior, will provide a modern view of the ground commanders' responsibility and share his perspective as the former commander of a celebrated SEAL unit. Dr. Dale W. Meyerrose, Retired Major General of the U.S. Air Force, will address the debate using his personal experience of how the rules of war impact the use of U.S. air power in conflicts including Desert Storm and combat operations in the Balkan Peninsula. Internationally-renowned theatre director Liesl Tommy will contribute her extensive knowledge of Shakespeare and her experience directing politically complex plays, including STC's upcoming production of Macbeth. Finally, STC Trustee Stephen M. Ryan will moderate, recalling his time as general counsel of the U.S. Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs and as an organized crime prosecutor.

A wine and hor d' oeuvres reception will follow the discussion. $50 General ticket; $40-Bard Association Members ticket; $20-Student tickets. To reserve tickets, visit www.shakespearetheatre.org/events/shakes-and-the-law or call STC's Box Office at 202.547.1122.

ABOUT THE PANEL:

Bernard Cornwell (Panelist) is a New York Times bestselling author. Born in London, he made his early writing career in television. He was editor of Thames Television News in London and, before that, Head of Current Affairs for BBC Television in Northern Ireland. In 1980 he married an American, immigrated to the United States and became a full time writer. He is now a U.S. citizen and has written 54 novels and one non-fiction book, Waterloo.

The Honorable Ryan Zinke (Panelist) is the Secretary of the Department of the Interior. Former member of the U.S. Congress and the Montana legislature, Secretary Zinke served several decades with great distinction in the U.S. Navy.

Liesl Tommy (Panelist) is an award-winning international theater director and the director of STC's upcoming production of Macbeth. She is known for her world premieres of visceral, politically complex new plays and musicals and her fresh, highly theatrical revivals of classics. Her credits include the Broadway and Public Theater Productions of Danai Gurira's Eclipsed (Tony Award Nomination for Best Director).

Dr. Dale W. Meyerrose (Panelist), Ret. Major General, U.S. Air Force, is a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy. Dale ended his distinguished career of government service as the first President-appointed, Senate-confirmed chief information officer and information sharing executive for the U.S. Intelligence Community. While on military active duty, he served as chief information officer of three major U.S. Air Force commands and three unified U.S. military combatant commands. He was the director of command control systems for the North American Aerospace Defense Command during 9/11 and the first chief information officer for U.S. Northern Command.

Stephen M. Ryan (Moderator) is head of the Government Strategies Practice Group in the law firm of McDermott Will & Emery LLP in the Washington, D.C. He previously served as general counsel of a U.S. Senate Committee, as an organized crime prosecutor and Assistant U.S. Attorney in the U.S. Dept. of Justice and represents major U.S. multi-national companies in lobbying. Mr. Ryan is in his third term on the Shakespeare Theatre Company Board of Trustees and is one of the leaders of the Theatre's legal-affinity group, the Bard Association with Trustee Abbe Lowell, who heads the Association.

The Shakespeare Theatre Company's Bard Association offers lawyers and other individuals with legal ties the opportunity to experience classical theatre at its finest while building both personal and professional relationships. This unique affinity group provides a valuable connection between the legal community and the arts, through networking opportunities, enriching panel discussions and programs, including the popular Mock Trial series. The panel discussions and other events conduct in-depth examinations into the roles of lawyers and legal issues in many Shakespeare plays and other classic theatre pieces.

Membership in the Bard Association transforms the individual experience from occasional ticket buyer to dedicated patron of the Shakespeare Theatre Company. Members of the Bard Association enjoy exclusive benefits such as advance ticket purchase for the Mock Trial series and Shakespeare and the Law events, "behind-the-scenes" access to the theatre and the chance to create a greater awareness of the importance of the arts. This group is unique to the region and provides a valuable connection between the legal community and the arts world.

Recipient of the 2012 Regional Theatre Tony Award, the Shakespeare Theatre Company (STC) is the nation's leading premier classical theatre company. Today, STC is synonymous with artistic excellence and making classical theatre more accessible to audiences in and around the nation's capital.

Under the leadership of Artistic Director Michael Kahn and Executive Director Chris Jennings, STC's innovative productions inspire dialogue that connects classic works to the modern human experience. The Company focuses on works with profound themes, complex characters and poetic language written by Shakespeare, his contemporaries and the playwrights he influenced in order to preserve and promote classic theatre-ambitious, enduring plays with universal themes-for all audiences.

A leader in arts education, STC has a stable of initiatives that teach and excite learners of all ages, from school programs and adult acting classes to accessible community programming like play-relevant discussion series and the Free For All. For the past twenty-six years the Free For All program has offered an annual remount of a popular production completely free of charge to all audience members.

Located in downtown Washington, D.C., STC performs in two theatres, the 451-seat Lansburgh Theatre and the 774-seat Sidney Harman Hall. In addition to STC productions appearing year-round, these spaces also accommodate presentations from outstanding local performing arts groups and nationally renowned organizations. The Company has been a fixture in the vibrant Penn Quarter neighborhood since 1992.

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