Macbeth
By William Shakespeare
Directed by Evren Odcikin
School Suggestions: A compelling cautionary tale about the corrupting influence of power, Macbeth contains frightening imagery of witchcraft, war, and violence, the onstage murder of a mother and her child, suicide, and a fight to the death. The play is exciting and straightforward, telling a vivid story that is easy for student audiences to follow. It is most suitable for well-prepared, mature middle school and high school students who can handle the violence, sensuality, and frightening imagery.
Shakespeare and the Alchemy of Gender
Created and performed by Lisa Wolpe
School Suggestions: This lyrical, fearless, and deeply personal one-person show is a quest for gender equality and women’s rights. Lisa Wolpe weaves Shakespeare’s monologues with stories of her family’s traumatic past. The play talks about Holocaust experiences, suicide, drug and alcohol addiction, and sexual and physical abuse while eloquently using Shakespeare’s text to heal and create. The play may be best suited for prepared students able to handle the adult nature of the play.
Smote This, A Comedy About God... and Other Serious $H*T
Created and performed by Rodney Gardiner
School Suggestions: This funny, poignant piece about loss and growing up Caribbean Black contains some profanity, sexual references, and remembrances of being beaten as a child, and will be best suited for prepared students able to handle the content.
Virgins to Villains
Created and performed by Robin Goodrin Nordli
School suggestions: Virgins to Villains is a charming introduction to the women in Shakespeare’s plays and is suitable for all playgoers.
Lizard Boy
Book, music, and lyrics by Justin Huertas
Directed by Brandon Ivie
School suggestions: Trevor only leaves his house once a year for Monsterfest, after a childhood run-in with a dragon turned his skin to scales! This year, Trevor steps out on a first date...only to discover his superpowers. This queer, coming-of-age comic-book meets indie-rock musical is perfect for middle and high school students.
Coriolanus
Coriolanus examines politics, mob mentality and personal pride. A war hero steps into the spotlight to find there's a big difference between winning battles and winning votes. The play’s investigation of leadership and political machination is especially relevant and accessible during a presidential election year. Coriolanus contains complex language and some violence; suitable for well-prepared high school students and up.
Behfarmaheen (If You Please)
Created and performed by Barzin Akhavan
School suggestions: Actor Barzin Akhavan radiates warmth as he narrates his story of immigrating from Iran in 1980 and his adaptation to American life. This autobiographical journey, with an anti-bullying lens, contains some profanity, has a brief moment of rear male nudity, and is delivered with humor and love. The play is suited for prepared students able to handle these elements.
2024 Study Guides and Other Materials
Study Guides are created for every play in the current season. Study guides offer resources to use in preparation for reading, streaming, or attending a play. These materials also offer teaching suggestions, discussion questions, research topics, related websites, and additional resources for each production.
Due to the constantly evolving nature of the production process, study guides may not be available until after a production has opened. We will post them as soon as possible.
All downloads are in PDF format and require Adobe Reader to view and print.
Shakespeare and the Alchemy of Gender
Smote This, A Comedy About God ...and Other Serious $H*T
Macbeth
Born with Teeth