IU Theatre kicks off the second half of its 2017-18 Season with Julius Caesar, William Shakespeare’s epic tale of Roman glory and treachery. This production will mark the first time Julius Caesar has appeared on the IU Theatre main stage in the department’s nearly 90 years of producing.
Julius Caesar brings the epic glory of the Roman Republic to the IU stage with a treacherous assassination that causes Rome to erupt into a warzone. As a doomed rebellion led by the noble Marcus Brutus and the cunning Caius Cassius unfolds, blood spills and loyalties waver. Underneath William Shakespeare’s rich, rousing verse is a heart-stopping story of betrayal, justice, and political idealism.
Julius Caesar will be directed by incoming acting and directing faculty member Jenny McKnight. “I think our current political climate is ripe for a retelling of Caesar, Brutus, Cassius, and Mark Antony’s story,” says McKnight. “Julius Caesar reminds us that history tends to repeat itself. With our production, I am interested in examining the traditional story through a more contemporary lens, without drawing direct parallels to any historical period or leaders. That’s the audience’s job.”
Joining McKnight on the creative team are Ryan Miller (Scenic Designer / Scenic Charge Artist), Jenn Sheshko (Costume Designer), Qi’er Luo (Lighting Designer), Andrew Hopson (Sound Designer), CJ Sneath (Technical Director) and Jennie Fischer (Props Master). Julius Caesar is the third-year MFA project for Miller, Sneath and Christina HadleyDike (Cutter/Draper).
The cast of Julius Caesar includes four MFA acting students, including third-year MFA student Meaghan Deiter in the title role. “I've already had people coming up to me in the halls saying, "Hail Caesar,” says Deiter. “Playing someone with so much power will be a fun journey and being famously assassinated on stage every night will be an amazing experience. This is the kind of stuff that makes life as an actor so fun.”
When asked how she feels about taking on the role of Julius Caesar, Deiter shares, “Of course historically Caesar was a man, but having a woman in the role will open up a new power dynamic for the audience to consider that might spark some interesting conversations about current events and gender equality.”
Fellow third-year MFA students Justino Brokaw and Nicholas Jenkins will be appearing in Julius Caesar for their MFA thesis roles, portraying Caius Cassius and Mark Anthony. First-year MFA acting student Michael Bayler will take on the role of Marcus Brutus.
WHAT: IU Theatre presents Julius Caesar, by William Shakespeare.
WHEN: January 19, 20, 23-26, 2018, @ 7:30 pm and January 27 @ 2:00 pm and 7:30 pm
WHERE: Ruth N. Wells Theatre, Lee Norvelle Theatre and Drama Center, 275 N. Jordan Ave.
TICKETS: Regular admission is $20 for adults, $10 for students. 812.855.1103 or theatre.indiana.edu.
For more info and interview requests, please email Amy Osajima at aosajima@indiana.edu.
The College of Arts