Shakespeare Actors Talk Shakespeare by Jen Bush

“Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears.” Jake Minter and The American Theatre of Actors present an uncut version of Shakespeare’s infamous Julius Caesar.  This vision is set in the modern world with nods to Fascism and Communism overthrowing Democracy. Four talented members of the cast, Nicolas Capella, James C. Gavin, Sam Hardy and Jonathan Power gave us their insights on why Shakespeare is important in the 21^st century. 

James C. Gavin

Just about every working actor in New York City has secured at least one credit in the “Law and Order” franchise.  After reading James C. Gavin’s bio, it begs the question, could he have a credit in that show?  In the criminal justice system, James C. Gavin enjoyed a long career as a criminal investigator, prosecutor and trial lawyer.  He taught English to Ugandan orphans, served as a pastoral care worker in Philadelphia and met his wife in jail.  Serendipity brought him to acting and he is a graduate of New York’s William Esper Studio.  Here is his take on why Shakespeare is important in the 21^st century:

“Despite the many technological, scientific, and cultural advances made by mankind over the past 400 years, the basic human emotional drivers that impel each of us through life remain unaltered. Shakespeare’s eternal themes of love, hate, lust, hubris, ambition, greed, and envy continue to resonate with us all. Shakespeare holds up a mirror before us and tasks each of us to see ourselves as we really are: noble but deeply flawed beings, constantly buffeted by strong and often conflicting emotional winds. Shakespeare will remain important and relevant as long as humankind continues to exist.”

 Sam Hardy

Sam Hardy’s entry into the arts was acting in school plays in Palmyra, PA.  That led to him being active in community theatre at the Hershey Area Playhouse.  His participation in oratorical competitions was definitely good training ground for his future as a connoisseur of Shakespeare.

While attending the University of Alabama where he received a B.A. in Theatre, the head of the undergraduate acting program, Professor Seth Panitch recognized that Sam had an aptitude for text analysis and emotional connection to heightened speech.  After some tutoring in the Shakespearean arts, he was cast in his first ever Shakespeare role as Iago in Othello.  He had the privilege of working with Michael Luwoye who was cast as Othello and who currently has numerous Broadway and television credits to his name. 

Sam took the University of Alabama’s department of theatre and dance by storm appearing in numerous productions there.  He hit The Bard hard garnering apprenticeships and internships at the Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey and the Colorado Shakespeare Festival. 

 New York’s thriving artistic community called to Sam and after Colorado, he moved to Brooklyn to further pursue the arts.  After a period of stagnation, Sam came upon an artistic haven known as the American Theatre of Actors.  This landmark theatre has a stellar reputation for developing, supporting and promoting new artists and providing them with a creative atmosphere in which to grow and shine.

Sam is not all Shakespeare all the time.  Two of his proudest professional credits are Carmen Ghia The ‘Pourducers’, an early production of the now wildly successful Drunk Musicals and Hades in Alcestis Ascending. “Written and directed by Seth Panitch, it was a bilingual production featuring American and Cuban actors, performed in New York and Havana thanks to a collaboration between the University of Alabama and the Cuban Ministry of Culture.”

When not on stage, Sam will provide you with service with a smile in the hospitality industry.  His hobbies include Dungeons & Dragons, video gaming and exploring the incredible restaurants and bars that New York City has to offer.  Here is what Shakespeare in the 21^st century means to Sam:

“Shakespeare is important in this century, as in every century, because he reveals and ennobles the foundations of our shared human experience. Every emotion and scenario that can define a life can be found in Shakespeare’s text, turned into the most true and beautiful poetry there is. As long as humans can love, and fight, and grieve, and laugh, and die, we will have need of Shakespeare’s words.”

Jonathan Power

Jonathan Power will be playing the role of Octavius Caesar.  His superpower is being a multi-hyphenate artist.  Having grown up in a Christian homeschooled military family, his family supported his artistic endeavors.  Every new military station that his family moved to provided an opportunity for Jonathan to cultivate his craft.  The Virginia Children’s Chorus, California Ballet School and Arizona String Orchestra were just some of the places that facilitated Jonathan performing around the country before he even finished high school.  After studying musical theatre at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, Jonathan moved to New York City to pursue his dream to be on Broadway.  Here is what he had to say about Shakespeare in the 21^st Century:

“An elemental form of communication is what makes us human. In Shakespeare we put people on stage and talk in language that is hard to understand and ask the audience to come to us. It seems to go against the grain of our current entertainment industry which serves up explosions and 3D interface on a screen to capture the attention of the viewer. When Shakespeare was writing his work, he probably thought the same as our current industry and tried to capture the modern mind in his explosive and 3D skill as a poet and dramatist. I believe Shakespeare today works because it delights the 21st century mind into thinking that we are still the same humans. If you peer into any Shakespeare play you watch live on stage, you will find delight and raptures of joy not because you know all of the complexity of his literary ability but because Shakespeare serves us love and beauty through the simple truth of the human experience.”

Nicolás Capella

Characters: Marullus/Cicero/Ligarius/Artemidorus/Octavius Servant/Plebians/Lucilius.

The force is strong with this one! Twenty-two years ago, in a country far, far
away… Nicolás Capella was born and raised in Santiago, Chile. He spent most of his
childhood playing around with the force, spaceships, and lightsabers. He then switched
to sports and played competitive soccer and basketball. Although he grew up, he kept
his eyes on the stars and was going to dedicate his life to Astronomy. But his heart
decided to take a leap of faith and he joined The American Academy of Dramatic Arts
where he completed the two-year training and was invited back and joined The
Academy Company. Some of his credits include Dracula in Dracula, Nic Muscolino in
Napoli, Brooklyn, and Alexander Kalabushkin in Dying for it.

Nicolas has immense gratitude toward his teachers, Nurit Monacelli, Michael Toomey,
Janis Powell and Barbara Rubin. They all provided him with invaluable tools that informed how
he uses his craft today. In a short period of time, he did his due diligence to learn, absorb,
integrate information and blossom into a skilled artist. He followed his heart into the arts, but he
will always have stars in his eyes as he reaches for the sky. Here is what he had to say about
Shakespeare in the 21 st century:
“I think Shakespeare’s plays are written from a general perspective and that is
why you’ll never see a production of a play being the same as another production of the
same play. It’s general content, but it can be the most specific in terms of how the
ensemble works the piece. The verse is the language of the heart, which for me it
means that it touches a very visceral part of our body, and the words are a full
embodiment. In today’s world where a lot is on the TV and the emotions are shown in a
square of energy, I think Shakespeare shows us a full power of our energy and emotion
in our entire body and makes it captivating to watch.”

These four intelligent, enthusiastic and talented actors are just a few members of
the brilliant ensemble of Julius Caesar at the American Theatre of Actors. These
interesting gentlemen who hail from diverse backgrounds have joined forces for the
common passion and pursuit of putting art out into this world. Hopefully hearing their
words has whet your appetite to see some good old Shakespeare. You’ll not only be
entertained but you’ll be supporting a landmark institution that has been supporting and
uplifting artists for decades.

Jake Minter and American Theatre of Actors bring an uncut version of Shakespeare’s JULIUS CAESAR. This version is set in the modern world with nods to Fascism and Communism overthrowing Democracy.
Starring: James C. Gavin (June 21-25)   and   Alan Hasnas (June 28-July 2)
June 21- July 2 only!
‘EarlyBird’ Tickets Here. = $17 + fees. Expires June 7th @ 1AM.
‘HailCaesar’ Tix Here. = $22 + fees. Expires June 14th @ 1AM.
General Tickets Here. = $27 + fees.
($30 Cash at at the Door)