June 20, 2003 - Hadley, MA - Production dramaturg Megan Smithling will talk about "Finding the Roses inside
the Production of Richard III" in the second of Hampshire Shakespeare Company's special Friday
night pre-show events on July 4. As background for the play, England's War of the Roses
provides fertile soil for exploring the politics and personalities that shaped an era.
Shakespeare's portrayal of King Richard has provided actors for centuries with a wealth of
possible interpretations, and Smithling discusses the choices made in the current production.
As a freelance dramaturg and theater educator, Smithling constantly has to explain her function
in a production. A dramaturg provides information to the director and actors about the
historical context of a play, and helps to unravel complex and sometimes obscure passages of
language. Smithling, who recently received her MFA in dramaturgy from UMass Amherst, worked
with Hampshire Shakespeare for three years, as dramaturg for the Company's production of
Othello, and last year playing the role of Juliet in Measure for Measure.
The production of Richard III runs Wednesdays through Sundays until July 13. Curtain is at 7:00
PM, with the pre-show talk beginning at 6:30 PM. HSC performs at The Hartsbrook School at 193
Bay Road in Hadley, Massachusetts. Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for students and seniors,
and $6 for children to age 18. Handicapped-accessible. For additional information, check the
HSC web site: www.hampshireshakespeare.org or call 413-548-8118. Group discounts are available
for groups of 10 or more. Call 413-587-9398.
June 20, 2003 - Hadley, MA - Production dramaturg Megan Smithling will talk about "Finding the Roses inside
the Production of Richard III" in the second of Hampshire Shakespeare Company's special Friday
night pre-show events on July 4. As background for the play, England's War of the Roses
provides fertile soil for exploring the politics and personalities that shaped an era.
Shakespeare's portrayal of King Richard has provided actors for centuries with a wealth of
possible interpretations, and Smithling discusses the choices made in the current production.