Southern Shakespeare Festival

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The Southern Shakespeare Festival is an annual event held in Tallahassee, Florida, USA.

Contents

[edit] History

The Southern Shakespeare Festival began in 1995 when Florida State University Senior, Michael J. Trout and Florida State University Dean Emeritus Richard G. Fallon organized a tourning company that tour local and regional high schools and community arts centers. From that 1995-2000 it was an open air free festival and renaissance faire located in downtown behind Tallahassee's City Hall in Klemen Plaza.

Its inaugural production in 1996 saw over 20,000 spectators according to the local newspaper, the Tallahassee Democrat (Sunday, December 29 article). It is recognized as one of the most successful free theater festivals in Tallahassee with over 80,000 spectators and over 20,000 students benefited from its educational programming.

[edit] Productions:

1995 Southern Shakespeare Festival Tourning Company. Words... word... words... 1996 A Midsummer Night's Dream – Directed By Irina Brown, and staring UK actor Jack Klaff, Wil Johnson and US actress Jennifer Harper.

1997 The Taming of the Shrew – Directed by Ian Wooldridge], staring Wil Johnson and Brigid Zengeni.

1998 Merry Wives of Winsor

1999

2000 The Tempest (last production)

[edit] Media articles include:

  • ..Rise to Southern Shakespeare FestivalMontgomery Advertiser, Sunday Nov. 22, 1998
  • Top 10 in Tallahassee - Tallahassee Democrat, Sunday, December 29 article
  • Shrew - Tallahassee Democrat Limelight Feature - Friday, May 9, 1997
  • Relationship Advice from Ol`Will - Break Magazine - May 7-13, 1997

[edit] Producers included:

City of Tallahassee, State of Florida Division of Cultural Affairs, Leon County Tourist Development Council, Florida A&M University, Florida State University, and Tallahassee Community College

[edit] Founding Board Members included:

Richard G. Fallon, Dean Minardi, June Strauss, Michael J. Trout, Tina Campbell, Janet Hinkle, Sue Dick,