The Actors Shakespeare Company at New Jersey City University is a professional, non-profit ensemble theater, entering into its Tenth Season of service to the Hudson County area, and its fifth at New Jersey City University. ASC’s relationship to NJCU has blossomed into a full partnership, as ASC was made the theatre in residence at NJCU in 2008.
ASC produces the plays of Shakespeare as well as other classics and classically inspired works, staged readings, and, most recently, podium readings of new, Shakespeare-themed plays (such as The Jewish King Lear) and experimental laboratory productions of Shakespeare’s texts (a four actor, modern-dress Romeo and Juliet). Additionally, ASC offers an exciting and varied menu of educational programming for students from elementary school to adult.
The Kid from Paris
Jean Brassard Sings Montand
By Jean Brassard and Dave Krueger, directed by Dave Krueger
September 10–19, 2010
7:30 PM, Fridays & Saturdays
3:00 PM, Sundays
A Cabaret Celebration of Yves Montand. Through songs in French and English, theatrical vignettes and narration, Brassard gives a performance reflecting the grace, passion and charisma of the sexy Italian from Marseille.
Romeo and Juliet
By William Shakespeare; Craig Colfelt, Play Master
November 5–21, 2010
7:30 PM, Fridays
3:00 PM, Saturdays and Sundays
Shakespeare’s definitive portrait of young love vs. old hatred comes to new life in this innovative and intimate staging. Featuring a cast of six and a blend of contemporary and Renaissance design elements, this is a Romeo & Juliet for everyone. Music, comedy, romance, drama and swordplay combine to make it the ideal Shakespeare production for the whole family.
Logomaniacs
By Paul Fleischman; Colette Rice, Play Master
December 9–19, 2010
7:30 PM, Thursdays and Fridays
3:00 PM, Saturdays and Sundays
Like a barker at the circus, this new play by the Newbery Award-winning author Paul Fleischman dares us to step inside a freak show like no other: a parade of 26 creatures with an obsessive love of words, one-per-alphabet letter, all of them real.
The Tempest
By William Shakespeare; Colette Rice, Play Master
March 25–April 10, 2011
7:30 PM, Fridays
3:00 PM, Saturdays and Sundays
ASC celebrates the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s tale of shipwrecks, spirits, monsters and magic with a sumptuous and imaginative production. At once a fairytale journey to an enchanted island and a saga of deception, revenge, hard-won forgiveness and redemption, The Tempest is indeed “such stuff as dreams are made on.”
This looks like a company you can take your kids to experience Shakespeare in performance. It’s a life-changer for the Bard-averse student to see a Shakespearean play live, onstage!
