Since 2010, The Global Theatre Project has brought U.S. theatre artists, community members and youth together to create various theatrical projects that connect them to the rest of the world. One of these, The Stratford/ Shakespeare Connection, focuses on celebrating and sharing a special message: that the United States is a part of the global fabric and that we, in our true essence, are an international nation. It is a live theatrical happening that is videotaped and then screened at Stratford-upon-Avon, England by the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust.
Last year, the GTP explored the idea of love and connection with The Double, Double Sonnet Project, by mashing up a scene from Macbeth — “Double double toil and trouble…” — with Shakespeare’s Sonnet 116 — “Let me not to the marriage of true minds admit impediments…” They incorporated 11 languages as a small representation of the backgrounds of Americans including English, Lebanese, Persian, Spanish, American Sign Language, French, German, Italian, Chinese, Japanese, and Hebrew. Here is a look at last year’s video:
The 2012 happening, Rapping on The Tempest, spins off the immortal words of Shakespeare’s Prospero — “We are such stuff as dreams are made on; and our little life is rounded with a sleep” – and will be mashed with Gertrude’s speech from Hamlet as she describes the descent of Ophelia into the muddy depths where she meets her death. Through the Bard’s text and the power of spoken word, GTP plans to explore the possibility that we could ‘wake up’ from a ‘sleep’ that disconnects us from one another and instead find ways to build community through imagination.
In 2010, An International Romeo and Juliet featured 45 participants, from the ages of 11 to 61. 2011’s Double, Double Sonnet Project was created by 70 artists and residents. With Rapping on The Tempest, GTP would like to greatly increase the number of young people who participate, to introduce them to the wonder of Shakespeare’s work, and, in doing so, to make them think about their place within our global community. Heart of Los Angeles Youth has enthusiastically offered the use of their downtown LA campus, as well as the participation of 35 of their under-served neighborhood kids for the event.
In addition, this year GTP is being offered the opportunity to screen the final video as part of the inaugural season of Stratford’s Shakespeare on Film Festival. But they need your help.
Funds are needed to compensate the passionate, dedicated artists and craftspeople, to offer stipends to translators to assist participants and audience members for whom English is a second language, to create professional quality scenery, costumes and props (including a 10-foot puppet!), to rent high-end video and sound equipment, and for marketing (social media, flyers, postcards, posters) to spread the word. CLICK HERE to watch the video and see how you can be part of the Global Theatre Project.
Come be part of Rapping on The Tempest! The happening will take place September 29th from 10am to 2pm in Lafayette Park, Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 9005 and is open to the public. Some join in advance and others just walk by and decide to join in on the spot. Everything is prepared beforehand up to the smallest detail. When the day arrives, the participants first break into group rehearsals of 10 – 15 people led by GTP artists, then participate in a massive rehearsal together before creating theatre! During the whole event the cameras will roll!
Click Here for more information about the Global Theatre Project and further details about how to participate.
Shakespeare in LA 