IU Theatre continues its Bicentennial 2019–2020 season with Shakespeare’s classic tragedy, Hamlet. The Prince of Denmark, home from university after the death of his father, is disturbed by his uncle Claudius' hasty usurpation of the dead King's throne and family. Confronted by the ghost of King Hamlet, young Hamlet faces the conflict between indecision and responsibility as he seeks to avenge his father's murder.
Considered to be Shakespeare’s most famous play, it was one of his most popular works during his lifetime and still ranks among his most performed. Evidence places Hamlet somewhere around 1600-01, near the midpoint of Shakespeare’s career as a playwright and actor, and at the end of Elizabeth I’s reign. One of the most quoted works in the English language, the play is often included on lists of the world's greatest literature. IU’s production of Hamlet is directed by acting and directing faculty member Jonathan R. Michaelsen. “I think Hamlet’s power resides in the struggle of an individual to understand the nature of existence, the impetus to take action in a chaotic world, and how we morally deal with and seek revenge and justice,” says Michaelsen.
Joining Michaelsen on the creative team are faculty member Andrew Hopson (Sound Designer), and M.F.A students Justin Gannaway (Costume Designer), Christopher Mueller (Scenic Designer), and Mitch Ost (Lighting Designer). Justin and Christopher’s designs for this production is in partial fulfillment of their M.F.A theses. The cast of Hamlet includes M.F.A students Michael Bayler, Anna Doyle, Isabelle Gardo, Glynnis Kunkel-Ruiz, Daniel Meeks, and Christopher Plonka. Michael Bayler and Glynnis Kunkel-Ruiz perform the roles of Hamlet and Horatio, respectively, in partial fulfillment of their M.F.A theses in Acting.
The College of Arts