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Digital Program

Welcome

Welcome to Chicago Shakespeare Theater’s first Short Shakespeare! Hamlet. This one act adaptation distills Shakespeare’s tragedy into an intense family drama. The story unfolds with sharp twists and turns, heightened emotion, and enduring relevance as Hamlet considers the moral consequences of revenge and the truth behind a most horrible crime. Each generation finds its own identity for Hamlet and we have found ours—a Hamlet of today, for today, and for you. Enjoy your journey into the neighborhood of Denmark…

EDWARD HALL
Artistic Director

Carl and Marilynn Thoma Chair

KIMBERLY MOTES
Executive Director

presents

Short Shakespeare! Hamlet

By WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE Adapted by EDWARD HALL and ROGER WARREN Directed by EDWARD HALL

LEAD STUDENT MATINEE AND TEAM SHAKESPEARE SPONSOR

The Grainger Foundation

ASSOCIATE STUDENT MATINEE SPONSOR

The Segal Family Foundation Student Matinee Fund

MAJOR SUPPORTERS OF TEAM SHAKESPEARE

Allstate
Crown Family Philanthropies

The Harold and Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust

Kimberlee S. Herold

Wintrust, Chicago's Bank

As a courtesy to the artists and your fellow theatergoers, please turn off your cell phones and all other electronic devices. Photography, video, and audio recording are strictly prohibited during the show. For your safety, we ask that you keep aisles and doorways clear. If you need to step out while the show is in progress, theater staff may ask you to wait in the lobby before re-entering, and it may not be to your original seat. If we can help accommodate you during your visit, please speak with our House Manager.

Cast

Creative Team


Roger Warren

Adapter

Alec Thorne

Lighting Designer

Lucy Elkin

Associate Costume Designer

Lindsay Mummert

Associate Scenic Designer

Lucy Elkin

Associate Costume Designer

Lindsay Mummert

Associate Scenic Designer

Short Shakespeare! Hamlet Full Staff Listing

Edward Hall   Artistic Director, Carl and Marilynn Thoma Chair
Kimberly Motes   Executive Director

ARTISTIC & EXECUTIVE

Ericka Ratcliff  Literary Manager
Daniel J. Hess Artistic Administrator
Bob Mason   Artistic Associate/Casting Director
Brian Haas Company Manager
Alexis Taylor   Casting Associate
Rose Kalef   Executive Assistant
Karina Patel  Literary Associate
Shemar Wheeler  Arts Leadership Fellow

 

EDUCATION

Nora Carroll  Director of Lifelong Learning & Education, Ray and Judy McCaskey Education Chair
Rick Lostutter Associate Director of Education
Grace Cummings  Education Programs Associate

Stephen Bennett, PHD; Katie Blankenau, PHD; Casey Caldwell, PHD; Deon Custard, PHD Candidate; Elizabeth Charlebois, PHD; Vanessa Corredera, PHD; Rebecca Fall, PHD; Martine Kei Green-Rogers, PHD; Sara B.T. Thiel, PHD   Guest Scholar Lecturers
Chris Anthony, MFA; Devin Christor; Greg Geffrard, MFA; Matt Hawkins, MFA; Clarence Higgins, MFA; Jarrett King; Kevin Long, MA; Sonya Madrigal; Katie McKnight, PHD   Educator Artists
Melina Lesus, PHD   CPS Connectivity Consultant

 

DEVELOPMENT & SPECIAL EVENTS

Stacy Shafer Peterson Chief Development Officer
Makeda Cohran   Events Director
Melissa Rosenberg  Associate Director of Development, Individual Giving
Elizabeth Aranza   Associate Director of Development, Institutional Giving
Finley Jones  Manager of Annual Fund and Planned Giving

 

FINANCE & OPERATIONS

FINANCE

Dan Thomas   Director of Finance
Alysse Hunter   Assistant Controller
Alejandra Sujo   Accounting Associate

TECHNOLOGY

Jeanne DeVore   Technology Manager

OPERATIONS

Mark Kozy   Director of Operations
Daniel Lopez   Facilities Manager

Mike Atkins  Custodian
Dwayne Brewer  Custodian
Anthony Davis   Custodian
Cano Hernandez  Custodian
Ferris Robertson  Custodian

GUEST SERVICES

Devin Faught   Front of House Manager
Phoebe Silva   Assistant Front of House Manager

Julia Ravenscroft   Show Supervisor
Erika Wilson   Show Supervisor

Will Adams   Guest Services Associate
Sam Castillo   Guest Services Associate
Amanda Farmer   Guest Services Associate
Leah Johnson   Guest Services Associate
Paulette Maher  Guest Services Associate
Nat Martinez-White  Guest Services Associate
Maggie Perisho   Guest Services Associate
Jessica Plummer   Guest Services Associate
Jack Porter Guest Services Associate
Nora Rumery   Guest Services Associate
Samantha Waitkus   Guest Services Associate
Nyja White   Guest Services Associate
Jada Woodard   Guest Services Associate

Philip Macaluso   Lead Concessioner
Patty Roache   Lead Concessioner
Jack Saunders   Lead Concessioner

Sam Adams   Concessioner
Dani Brown  Concessioner
Suzie Glover   Concessioner
Zoe Maxwell   Concessioner
Tanner McCormick   Concessioner
Robbie Matthew   Concessioner
Leaf McCastle   Concessioner
Lily Mulcahy   Concessioner
Reese Sheldahl   Concessioner
Emily Stipetic   Concessioner
Prenae Thomas   Concessioner
Mo Werder   Concessioner

HUMAN RESOURCES

Laurel Legler  Director of Human Resources
Mohad Zahid  HR Generalist

 

MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS

Brad Boron   Chief Marketing Officer

MARKETING

Mackenzie Schleyer  Associate Director of Marketing
Katie Bell   Digital Marketing Manager
Olivia George   Graphic Designer
Shelly Binkley   Tessitura Administrator
Ali Khan   Marketing Associate

COMMUNICATIONS

Hannah Kennedy   Director of Communications
Emma Perrin   Associate Director of Communications
Tiffany Mullins   Digital Content Specialist

BOX OFFICE

Scott Letscher   Ticketing Services Manager
Sonja Pardee   Box Office Supervisor

Maggie Curry  Box Office Associate
Al Duffy  Box Office Associate
Jaz Fowlkes   Box Office Associate
Micah Hazel   Box Office Associate
Aurthur King   Box Office Associate
Eric Perrine  Box Office Associate
Ash Pierce   Box Office Associate
Kir Westrick  Box Office Associate

 

PRODUCTION

Mac Vaughey   Production Manager
Alexa Berkowitz   Assistant Production Manager

SCENERY

Tyler Metoxen   Technical Director
Jesse Gaffney   Assistant Technical Director
Tobi Osibodu   Stage Crew Head
Bradley Buri   Stage Crew Carpenter Head
Jack Birdwell   Stage Rigging Crew Head
Amber Hahn   Deck Crew
Nicolas Cabrera   House Technician
Chris Culver   House Technician
Bobby Noe   House Technician
James Doolittle  Carpenter
Aubrey Pierce  Carpenter
Danny Carraher  Carpenter
Reese Sheldahl  Carpenter
Nicholas Thomas   Carpenter
Jessica Howe  Charge Artist
Tea Roberts  Scenic Artist
Sara Grose  Scenic Artist
Emily Altman  Scenic Artist
Tara Huffman  Scenic Artist
Devin Meseke  Scenic Artist

COSTUMES

Ryan Magnuson  Costume Department Manager
Cathy Tantillo   Costume Design Assistant
Melissa Perkins  Costume Design Assistant
Madeline Felauer  Costume Crafts
Jenn Giangola   Wardrobe Supervisor
Tyler Phillips  Draper/Workroom Supervisor
Teagan Anderson   First Hand
Yas Maple   Stitcher
Riley Sullivan   Stitcher
Laura Holt    Dresser

LIGHTING AND VIDEO

Alec Thorne  Lighting and Video Department Manager
Arianna Brown  Assistant Lighting and Video Department Manager
Joan E. Claussen   Lighting Crew Head
Mike McShane Lighting & Sound Board Operator
Meike Schmidt  Lightboard Programmer
Lea Davis  Electrician
Avery Spellmeyer  Electrician
Andres Fiz  Electrician
Jack Zanger  Electrician
Elliot Hubiak  Electrician
Florence Borowski  Electrician

SOUND

Nicholas Pope  Sound Department Manager
Tyler Malone   Sound Crew Head
Sarah Ortiz   Sound Technician

HAIR AND MAKE-UP

Ashley Adams   Hair and Make-up Supervisor

PROPERTIES

Anna Katharine Mantz  Properties Department Manager
Meghan Savagian   Assistant Properties Department Manager
Dan Nurczyk   Properties Crew Head
Sara Grose  Properties Artisan
Katie Novak  Properties Artisan

ARTISTIC & EXECUTIVE

Ericka Ratcliff  Literary Manager
Daniel J. Hess Artistic Administrator
Bob Mason   Artistic Associate/Casting Director
Brian Haas  Company Manager
Alexis Taylor   Casting Associate
Rose Kalef   Executive Assistant
Karina Patel  Literary Associate
Shemar Wheeler  Arts Leadership Fellow

 

EDUCATION

Nora Carroll  Director of Lifelong Learning & Education, Ray and Judy McCaskey Education Chair
Rick Lostutter  Associate Director of Education
Grace Cummings  Education Programs Associate

Stephen Bennett, PHD; Katie Blankenau, PHD; Casey Caldwell, PHD; Deon Custard, PHD Candidate; Elizabeth Charlebois, PHD; Vanessa Corredera, PHD; Rebecca Fall, PHD; Martine Kei Green-Rogers, PHD; Sara B.T. Thiel, PHD   Guest Scholar Lecturers
Chris Anthony, MFA; Devin Christor; Greg Geffrard, MFA; Matt Hawkins, MFA; Clarence Higgins, MFA; Jarrett King; Kevin Long, MA; Sonya Madrigal; Katie McKnight, PHD   Educator Artists
Melina Lesus, PHD   CPS Connectivity Consultant

 

MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS

Brad Boron   Chief Marketing Officer

MARKETING

Mackenzie Schleyer  Associate Director of Marketing
Katie Bell   Digital Marketing Manager
Olivia George   Graphic Designer
Shelly Binkley   Tessitura Administrator
Ali Khan   Marketing Associate

COMMUNICATIONS

Hannah Kennedy   Director of Communications
Emma Perrin   Associate Director of Communications
Tiffany Mullins   Digital Content Specialist

BOX OFFICE

Scott Letscher   Ticketing Services Manager
Sonja Pardee   Box Office Supervisor

Maggie Curry  Box Office Associate
Al Duffy  Box Office Associate
Jaz Fowlkes   Box Office Associate
Micah Hazel   Box Office Associate
Aurthur King   Box Office Associate
Eric Perrine  Box Office Associate
Ash Pierce   Box Office Associate
Kir Westrick  Box Office Associate

 

DEVELOPMENT & SPECIAL EVENTS

Stacy Shafer Peterson Chief Development Officer
Makeda Cohran   Events Director
Melissa Rosenberg  Associate Director of Development, Individual Giving
Elizabeth Aranza   Associate Director of Development, Institutional Giving
Finley Jones  Manager of Annual Fund and Planned Giving

 

FINANCE & OPERATIONS

FINANCE

Dan Thomas   Director of Finance
Alysse Hunter   Assistant Controller
Alejandra Sujo   Accounting Associate

TECHNOLOGY

Jeanne DeVore   Technology Manager

OPERATIONS

Mark Kozy   Director of Operations
Daniel Lopez   Facilities Manager

Mike Atkins  Custodian
Dwayne Brewer  Custodian
Anthony Davis   Custodian
Cano Hernandez  Custodian
Ferris Robertson  Custodian

GUEST SERVICES

Devin Faught   Front of House Manager
Phoebe Silva   Assistant Front of House Manager

Julia Ravenscroft   Show Supervisor
Erika Wilson   Show Supervisor

Will Adams   Guest Services Associate
Sam Castillo   Guest Services Associate
Amanda Farmer   Guest Services Associate
Leah Johnson   Guest Services Associate
Paulette Maher  Guest Services Associate
Nat Martinez-White  Guest Services Associate
Maggie Perisho   Guest Services Associate
Jessica Plummer   Guest Services Associate
Jack Porter Guest Services Associate
Nora Rumery   Guest Services Associate
Samantha Waitkus   Guest Services Associate
Nyja White   Guest Services Associate
Jada Woodard   Guest Services Associate

Philip Macaluso   Lead Concessioner
Patty Roache   Lead Concessioner
Jack Saunders   Lead Concessioner

Sam Adams   Concessioner
Dani Brown  Concessioner
Suzie Glover   Concessioner
Zoe Maxwell   Concessioner
Tanner McCormick   Concessioner
Robbie Matthew   Concessioner
Leaf McCastle   Concessioner
Lily Mulcahy   Concessioner
Reese Sheldahl   Concessioner
Emily Stipetic   Concessioner
Prenae Thomas   Concessioner
Mo Werder   Concessioner

 

HUMAN RESOURCES

Laurel Legler  Director of Human Resources
Mohad Zahid  HR Generalist

 

PRODUCTION

Mac Vaughey   Production Manager
Alexa Berkowitz   Assistant Production Manager

SCENERY

Tyler Metoxen   Technical Director
Jesse Gaffney   Assistant Technical Director
Tobi Osibodu   Stage Crew Head
Bradley Buri   Stage Crew Carpenter Head
Jack Birdwell   Stage Rigging Crew Head
Amber Hahn   Deck Crew
Nicolas Cabrera   House Technician
Chris Culver   House Technician
Bobby Noe   House Technician
James Doolittle   Carpenter
Aubrey Pierce   Carpenter
Danny Carraher   Carpenter
Reese Sheldahl   Carpenter
Nicholas Thomas   Carpenter
Jessica Howe   Charge Artist
Tea Roberts   Scenic Artist
Sara Grose  Scenic Artist
Emily Altman  Scenic Artist
Tara Huffman  Scenic Artist
Devin Meseke  Scenic Artist

COSTUMES

Ryan Magnuson  Costume Department Manager
Cathy Tantillo   Costume Design Assistant
Melissa Perkins   Costume Design Assistant
Madeline Felauer   Costume Crafts
Jenn Giangola   Wardrobe Supervisor
Tyler Phillips  Draper/Workroom Supervisor
Teagan Anderson   First Hand
Yas Maple   Stitcher
Riley Sullivan   Stitcher
Laura Holt    Dresser

LIGHTING AND VIDEO

Alec Thorne  Lighting and Video Department Manager
Arianna Brown  Assistant Lighting and Video Department Manager
Joan E. Claussen   Lighting Crew Head
Mike McShane Lighting & Sound Board Operator
Meike Schmidt   Lightboard Programmer
Lea Davis   Electrician
Avery Spellmeyer   Electrician
Andres Fiz   Electrician
Jack Zanger   Electrician
Elliot Hubiak   Electrician
Florence Borowski   Electrician

SOUND

Nicholas Pope  Sound Department Manager
Tyler Malone   Sound Crew Head
Sarah Ortiz   Sound Technician

HAIR AND MAKE-UP

Ashley Adams   Hair and Make-up Supervisor

PROPERTIES

Anna Katharine Mantz  Properties Department Manager
Meghan Savagian   Assistant Properties Department Manager
Dan Nurczyk   Properties Crew Head
Sara Grose   Properties Artisan
Katie Kovak   Properties Artisan

THE STORY

“The time is out of joint: O cursed spite,
/ That ever I was born to set it right!”

The Tragical History of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark (or, Hamlet) is one of the most famous and captivating revenge tragedies. Before the play begins, King Hamlet, the king of Denmark and Prince Hamlet’s father, suspiciously dies. Within a month, his brother Claudius assumes the throne and marries his widow, Queen Gertrude. And so, the play begins. Hamlet wears his grief like a cloak, while everyone else seems to have forgotten about the king’s death. Meanwhile, the Ghost of King Hamlet visits the prince and details his untimely death. The Ghost claims Claudius murdered him and begs Hamlet to avenge his death. Hamlet contemplates the meaning of life and his ability to act on his “father’s” wishes. Caught up in these complicated family dynamics, his deep sorrow, and personal moral code, Hamlet faces a profound internal struggle, leading to irreparable consequences for himself and everyone in the palace.

 

SYNOPSIS IN SPANISH

La tragedia de Hamlet, príncipe de Dinamarca (o, simplemente Hamlet) es una de las tragedias de venganza más increíbles y famosas. Antes de que comience la obra, el rey Hamlet de Dinamarca, el padre de Hamlet, muere de forma sospechosa. En un mes, su hermano Claudio asume el trono y se casa con su viuda, la reina Gertrudis. Y así, la obra comienza. Hamlet carga su dolor como un manto aunque todos los demás parecen haber olvidado la muerte del rey. Mientras tanto, el fantasma del rey Hamlet visita al príncipe y explica los detalles de su fallecimiento prematuro. El fantasma acusa a Claudio de haberlo asesinado y le suplica a Hamlet que vengue su muerte. Hamlet contempla el propósito de la vida y su capacidad para cumplir los deseos de su “padre”. Enredado en dinámicas familiares complicadas, una profunda tristeza y su propio código ético, Hamlet se enfrenta a un gran conflicto interno, lo que crea consecuencias irreparables para él y para todos los que viven en el palacio.

WATCH: Modern retellings of Hamlet in Pop Culture

READ: Ophelia in Art & Music

Artistic Representations of Shakespeare’s Ophelia

This article explores how artists across centuries have interpreted Ophelia, Hamlet’s tragic heroine, through painting, sculpture, and photography. It highlights nine iconic artworks that capture Ophelia’s beauty, vulnerability, and enduring symbolism. The piece offers insight into how visual art has shaped and reflected our understanding of Ophelia’s character beyond Shakespeare’s text.

In Taylor’s Version, Ophelia Has a Fairy‑Tale Ending

In this article by The New York Times, Taylor Swift offers Ophelia a new narrative arc that sharply diverges from the play’s tragic conclusion. Rather than succumbing to despair, Swift’s Ophelia finds a fairy-tale ending, prompting a discussion on the cultural impact of this modern retelling.

Every Shakespeare Reference in Taylor Swift’s ‘Fate of Ophelia’

Dive into a detailed examination of the Shakespearean allusions in “Fate of Ophelia,” with special attention to where Swift’s lyrics depart from the original play. The article uncovers how Swift transforms classic references to envision Ophelia’s fate as one of survival and empowerment.

HEAR: Hamlet en Español:

Side-by-side Spanish translation of the play Hamlet

This resource presents the full text of Hamlet in English and Spanish, displayed side by side. It’s an excellent tool for students, educators, or anyone interested in comparing Shakespeare’s original language with a Spanish translation.

READ PLAY

Side-by-side Spanish translation of the play Hamlet

This resource presents the full text of Hamlet in English and Spanish, displayed side by side. It’s an excellent tool for students, educators, or anyone interested in comparing Shakespeare’s original language with a Spanish translation.

READ PLAY

SEASON SPONSORS

Chicago Shakespeare Theater is proud to recognize the sustaining partnership of our Season Sponsors,
whose visionary support ensures that we live out our artistic mission for audiences today and for generations to come.

SEASON SPONSORS

Chicago Shakespeare Theater is proud to recognize the sustaining partnership of our Season Sponsors, whose visionary support ensures that we live out our artistic mission for audiences today and for generations to come.

The Grainger Foundation

The Jentes Family

Ray and Judy McCaskey

Paul M. Angell Family Foundation

Burton X. and Sheli Z. Rosenberg

The Segal Family

Carl and Marilynn Thoma

Chicago Shakespeare productions are made possible in part by the Illinois Arts Council Agency and a CityArts Grant from the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events.

Chicago Shakespeare is a constituent of the Theatre Communications Group, Inc., the national service organization of non-profit theaters; Shakespeare Theatre Association; Arts Alliance Illinois; the League of Chicago Theatres; and Ingenuity, Inc.   

Actors’ Equity Association (AEA), founded in 1913, represents more than 45,000 actors and stage managers in the United States. Equity seeks to advance, promote and foster the art of live theatre as an essential component of our society. Equity negotiates wages and working conditions, providing a wide range of benefits, including health and pension plans. AEA is a member of the AFL-CIO, and is affiliated with FIA, an international organization of performing arts unions. The Equity emblem is our mark of excellence. www.actorsequity.org   

The Director of this production is a member of the STAGE DIRECTORS AND CHOREOGRAPHERS SOCIETY, a national theatricallabor union.

About Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST)

Our Mission

To create vivid, entertaining theatrical experiences that invigorate and engage people of all ages and identities by illuminating the complexity, ambiguity, and wonder of our world.

Shared humanity and unforgettable stories—now THIS is Chicago Shakespeare.

Our Vision

We deliver excellent, powerful, life-changing theater that challenges our preconceptions of everything. We are an open and inspiring destination to meet, talk, and share experience through community and live performance that is available to everyone. We build a better future with those who watch, work, create, and participate.

Our Story

CST is a leading international theater company and the nation’s largest year-round theater dedicated to the works of Shakespeare. Under the visionary leadership of Artistic Director Edward Hall and Executive Director Kimberly Motes, the Regional Tony Award recipient engages nearly a quarter of a million people through more than 12 productions each year. Shakespeare is at the heart of the artistic work, illuminating the playwright as a modern writer for our modern world. CST also produces compelling, contemporary stories from fresh artistic voices of today. CST brings the world to Chicago and sends Chicago out into the world as a presenter of international theater and producer of North American and world premieres. Serving more students and teachers than any theater in the city, CST annually welcomes more than 20,000 students to performances and programs like Chicago Shakespeare SLAM, alongside professional development opportunities for teachers. CST activates its campus with three venues: 700-seat The Yard; the 500-seat Jentes Family Courtyard Theater; and the 200-seat Carl and Marilynn Thoma Upstairs Studio. Free programs like Shakes in the City bring performances to parks and community spaces across Chicago’s 77 neighborhoods. For nearly four decades, CST has distinguished itself with a spirit of innovation, dynamism, and ambitious vision.

More About Us

Our Team

The thrilling work on our stages would not be possible without our visionary leadership, talented team of theater professionals, and dedicated Board of Directors.

Our Supporters

Chicago Shakespeare gratefully recognizes the gifts and partnerships provided by our hundreds of individual donors and institutions in our digital donor listing.

Our Education Programs

We are committed to providing access to high quality, culturally responsive arts education, and fostering a love for lifelong learning through innovative programming.