High-Quality Theatre, Accessible for All
O L Y M P I A • W A S H I N G T O N
High-Quality Theatre, Accessible for All
O L Y M P I A • W A S H I N G T O N
Coming Summer of 2023:
Director's Notes for Measure for Measure"
As we are heading right into opening weekend for this Summer’s Shakespeare Production of "Measure for Measure", I would like to let you all have a read of this, my Director’s Notes about our show. Please note that this play does deal with some sensitive themes, and may not be suited for all audience members.
“This news is old enough, yet it is every day’s news.”
~ Duke Vincentio, Measure for Measure
Is humanity damned to repeat history over and over again? Why is it we continue to tell the same old stories, hoping to shed light on the issues and attempting to spark change, only to find ourselves repeating again and again?
Oppression. Bigotry. Power and Privilege. Us vs them. These are all old issues which have been talked about forever. The quintessential definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over, and expecting different results. Is it so dreadfully wrong to be “Woke”? Woke is the past tense of ‘wake’. To awaken to a fresh start, a new and brighter day. To have a chance to try again, learn from the past, and to actively do something new.
Our story of Isabella’s plea for ‘justice’ from a patriarchal world is not a new one. This story, Measure for Measure, within itself is over 400 years old, and yet it is today’s news. The tearing down of Roe vs Wade. One out of every six American women have been victimized by sexual assault or rape, at least once in their lifetime. Men in power dominating the conversations, while silencing the voices of those who are most affected.
We give this story to you, dear audience, will all intentions to spark something new. You have already made a bold choice to come bear witness, and see firsthand this tale being told. Thank you. Now we ask for you to consider making a change, spark an awakening, hold out a hand to help raise the voices of those not yet heard. Help put the truths of age-old story where they belong: to die the death deserved.
Thank you all for coming to tonight’s production. Whether you are here for the first time, or a well-seasoned supporter of Animal Fire, this is our gift to you. Please enjoy. If tonight sparks something in you, please move it forward in your life.
Brian Hatcher
Director, Board Member
Animal Fire Theatre
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