2021 Digital Internship Program
Much Ado About Nothing
by Shakespeare, in a modern verse translation by Ranjit Bolt
April 29, May 1, and May 2, 2021
Premieres LIVE on Thursday, April 29 @ 5:30 PM PDT
Streaming ALL DAY Saturday, May 1 & Sunday, May 2
All streams presented via YouTube.
Click below to reserve admission!
DSF Digital Internship Program’s production of Much Ado About Nothing is sponsored in part by the Hitz Foundation.
‘Since summer first was leafy, sigh no more.’ DSF’s Digital Internship Program is proud to present Ranjit Bolt’s Play On translation of Shakespeare’s classic comedy about love, misunderstandings, and deception. Our two lovers, Hero and Claudia are betrothed while our two anti-lovers, Beatrice and Benedick, quarrel to no end. When Hero gets accused of promiscuity, it is up to our band of players to prove his innocence. With the language translated from the classical prose to modern vernacular, this quick witted, romantic, and energetic rendition presented in a digital format will be an unforgettable experience of the classic play.
Land Acknowledgment
We would like to acknowledge the lands that our creative team lives and works on.
- Leila Pollio: I am living on the lands of the Munsee Lenape people of three tribes: Tappans, Hackensack, and Raritans. [Pronunciations: Munsee Lenape (MUN-see len-NAH-pay), Tappan (TUH-pan), Hackensack (HA-kuhn-sak), Raritan (RARE-it-an).
- Mikaela Schmitt: I am currently on the traditional land of indigenous peoples including the Kaskaskia (ka-SKA-skee-uh), Kickapoo (KI-kuh-poo), Potawatomi (poh-tuh-WAH-tuh-mee), Miami, Delaware, and Shawnee people.
- Mara Cohen: I am currently on the lands of the Munsee Lenape, Unami (oo-NAH-mee), Unalachtigo (ooh-nah-lahch-TEE-go), and the Lenni Lenape (leh-NEE le-NAHP-ay).
- Suniti Nelson: I reside on the traditional lands of the Shawnee, Myaamia (Miami), Chippewa/Ojibwe (oh-JEEB-way), and Osage Nation (OH-sayj).
- Mahmoud Said: Tallahassee is located on the ancestral lands of the Apalachee (ah-puh-LATCH-ee) nation, Muscogee (mu-SKOW-gee) nation, Miccosukee (mee-ko-sew-kee) nation, and Seminole (seh-mi-nole) nation.
We’d also like to take a moment to consider the legacies of colonization embedded within these technologies, these structures, and these ways of thinking that we use every day. We are using equipment and high speed internet that’s not available in many indigenous communities across Canada and the United States. We invite you to join us in acknowledging all of this, as well as the shared responsibility that it holds, which is to make the best use of our time here together. And, for each of us to consider our roles in reconciliation, decolonization and allyship.
Acknowledgment credit to Adrienne Wong, SpiderWebShow’s artistic producer
https://howlround.com/intersection-digital-technology-and-live-performance
Much Ado About Nothing for Soroptimist International of Davis
Soroptimist is a global volunteer organization that provides women and girls with access to the education and training they need to achieve economic empowerment. It was founded in Oakland, Calif. in 1921 by a group of 80 women who were denied access to a male service club. The founding members coined the organization’s name from two Latin words, meaning “best for women.”
The heart of Soroptimist’s mission is to make a difference for women and children through volunteer service to the community. Projects are carefully chosen to address challenges unique to women and children today, from providing women with routine medical care and funding domestic violence shelters, to sponsoring career development programs for girls and tutoring women in literacy and basic job skills.
Soroptimist clubs receive assistance in their volunteer efforts by fundraising and by participating locally in programs developed and sponsored by the organization. Soroptimist’s major service project, the Live Your Dream Awards program, provides cash grants for head-of-household women seeking to improve their economic situation through additional education and training.
In our production of Much Ado About Nothing, we wanted to bring to light the myriad of double standard women are subjected to. Soroptimist International vows to provide women and girls with the resources they need to achieve their dreams and live a happy and healthy life, a message we are aiming to present in our production. While admission to our show is free, we ask that you consider making a contribution at the link below.
About the Translator & Play On
Ranjit Bolt
Ranjit Bolt was educated at The Perse School, Cambridge, and at Balliol College, University of Oxford. He worked as an investment analyst and adviser for eight years, before concentrating on theatre translation from the end of 1990. His acclaimed translations for the theatre include works by Molière, Seneca, Sophocles, Corneille, Beaumarchais, Brecht, Goldoni, and Zorilla. He was awarded an OBE for his services to literature in 2003.
Play On
In the fall of 2015, the Oregon Shakespeare Festival announced a new commissioning program called Play on! 36 playwrights translate Shakespeare. The project was simple yet enthusiastically ambitious in its original conception: to commission 36 playwrights (with one lucky playwright taking on all three Henry VIs) to translate 39 plays attributed to Shakespeare (including Two Noble Kinsmen and Edward III) into contemporary, modern English over the course of three years. The majority of the commissions would be awarded to women and BIPOC playwrights. In its three-year tenure at OSF, Play On! worked with nearly 1,000 actors, directors, stage managers and producers on nearly 80 readings, workshops, productions and demonstrations in 19 different cities, collaborating with 24 different theatres and academic institutions around the world.
At the end of Play On!’s three-year tenure at OSF, energized by its overwhelming scope and success, the project’s producing team secured funding to form their own, new not-for-profit company. On January 1, 2019, they established Play On Shakespeare and their first endeavor saw them producing the Play On Festival – a series of staged readings of all 39 commissioned translations in an action-packed 33 days. The festival engaged hundreds of artists and was produced in partnership with Classic Stage Company and Oregon Shakespeare Festival.
CAST
*Member of Actors’ Equity Association
Sam Jackson*
Beatrice
Pablo Lopez
Benedick
Pablo Lopez (he/him) was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. He attended Grand Arts High School #9 where he became an advocate, performer, producer, fundraiser and took his first ever play to the 2011 Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Scotland, UK. After high school he dropped out of the University of California, Davis Chicano Studies Program to practice artistic advocacy. For three years he was Associate Producer and Actor in repertory with the Davis Shakespeare Festival. He went on to earn his BFA in Theatre Original Works at Cornish College of the Arts, where he honed skills as collaborative performer, director, dramaturg, and playwright. He premiered many new works in Seattle and recently moved to Las Vegas, NV becoming a theatre practitioner on the virtual stage. He recently performed his first-published play, “Chuy’s Radio Waves,” in the MxMellona: Reclaiming Our Stories Solo Performance Festival. The Tragedie of Dr. Faustus (Davis Shakespeare Festival), Fire Season (Seattle Public Theatre), The Journey of the Saint (Ese Teatro: ACT Lab), Lydia (The Strawberry Theatre Workshop).
De’Ja McKnabb
Claudio
De’Ja McKnabb (she/her) is an actress based in Charlotte, North Carolina and is delighted to be working with Davis Shakespeare Festival again! Her favorite credits include American Son and A Holly Jolly Holiday (Florida Studio Theatre), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (East Carolina University), and Jasmine, in the short film, The Last Time You Were Happy (Directed by R.T Francis). She received her BFA from East Carolina University: School of Theatre and Dance. Visit dejamcknabb.com to learn more!
Liam Armstrong
Hero/Dogberry
Jon Gentry*
Don Pedro
Will Oberholtzer
Leonato
Will (he/him) is a cabinetmaker and furniture builder in Davis California with a love of and a B.A. in theatre. He’s very happy to be working with DSF again and dedicates this performance to his family, who are always supportive of his endeavors.
Martin Lehman
Don John
Martin Lehman (he/him), originally from Southern California, now calls Sacramento home. Previous roles at DSF: The Duke in Comedy of Errors, Owen O’Malley in On the 20th Century, and Paulet in Mary Stuart. Other favorite roles include Gomez Addams in The Addams Family, Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof, Judge Turpin in Sweeney Todd, Brian in Avenue Q, Max Bialystock in The Producers, and Dr. Frankenstein in Young Frankenstein. Martin holds a BA in Theatre Arts from University of the Pacific where he is also a masters degree candidate in Communication.
Julianna Marie Docherty
Margaret
Julianna Marie (she/they) is a Canadian-Queer artist residing in Windsor, Ontario. They are absolutely thrilled to be joining the Davis Shakespeare Festival in their production of Much Ado About Nothing, as she finishes their degree at the University of Windsor! Previously: Miss Margaret Sole in Morning Sacrifice (University Players Windsor), Natali in The Jubilant (University Players Windsor with Outside The March). Julianna Marie has a deep love and passion for all things Shakespeare, and they are very excited to share this modern version with its audience! A big thank you to Christopher Elizabeth, Kaelee, Mama + The Fam, and Annie!!
Philomena Block
Borachio/Friar Francis
Philomena (she/her) is an actor/singer/comedy writer originally from Santa Cruz, CA. Previously at DSF she played Luciana in Comedy of Errors, Phoebe/LaBeau in As You Like It, Snug in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Rose in Cyrano de Bergerac, and Gwynne in Bells Are Ringing. Other favorite credits include Agatha/Hot Box Dancer in Guys and Dolls at the Jewel Theatre, Sarah Jane Moore in Assassins, Female Swing in Avenue Q, and Collette in La Cage Aux Folles. Philomena holds Bachelors degrees in both Musical Theatre and Psychology from California State University, Chico.
Jaucqir LaFond
Conrade/Others
Jaucqir LaFond (he/they) is a third-year acting major and classical voice minor at Howard University from Atlanta, GA. Having served as a DIP participant in the Fall Semester of 2020, Jaucqir is incredibly excited to work with DSF in a new capacity for the Spring cohort! You can find them on Instagram @jaucqir.
CREATIVE TEAM
Mara Cohen
Marketing and Community Engagement
Mara (she/her) is a current senior at NYU Tisch School of the Arts pursuing a BFA in the Department of Drama’s New Studio on Broadway. She was the recipient of the 2019 BroadwayWorld Regional Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Musical for her work as Sophie in The Shawnee Playhouse’s award winning production of Mamma Mia!. She was last seen in the NSB productions of A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Snout/Peaseblossom) and the GMTWP reading of The Ones (Company) and Disaster! (Maureen (aka Maury)). Other past credits include A Chorus Line (Val), Legally Blonde (Ensemble), Annie (Lily St. Regis), Pippin (Leading Player), Titanic the Musical (Kate Mullins). Following graduation, Mara will be pursuing a Master of Arts in Performing Arts Administration as a part of the fast-tracked BFA/MA program between NYU Tisch and NYU Steinhardt. This summer, Mara will be returning to The Shawnee Playhouse to perform in their production of Pippin as well as joining The Commonwealth Shakespeare Company in their Virtual Apprenticeship Program. www.marafcohen.com. @marafayecohen
Suniti (Sooh-NEE-tee) Nelson
Marketing and Community Engagement
Suniti Nelson (she/her) is an arts administrator, educator and visual artist. She is currently pursuing a dual M.A./M.B.A. in arts administration at the University of Cincinnati. Suniti is passionate about accessibility and social equity in the arts. While interning at the Contemporary Arts Center of Cincinnati, Suniti helped facilitate major accessibility initiatives. This included the production of video-recorded exhibition tours translated in American Sign Language. Suniti has also worked as an educator and administrator for ArtWorks, Hero Design Company, and various local organizations in Cincinnati, Ohio. She is excited to work with DSF on the production of Much Ado About Nothing.
Leila Pollio
Dramaturg and Marketing Team
Leila (she/her) is currently a junior at Pace University pursuing a BBA in Arts & Entertainment Management with a minor in digital media studies. Previously, she worked as an intern at the historic St. George Theatre on Staten Island and led the theatre’s summer outreach programs that culminated in a student showcase. Leila has always loved the arts, and is a classically trained pianist. This is Leila’s first theatrical production that she was able to be involved with creatively, and she is so thankful for the interns and the DSF team for making this such a wonderful experience!
Mahmoud Said
Technical director, video editor
Mahmoud (he/him) is a first year Master’s student in Arts Administration at Florida State University. There, he serves as a graduate assistant in the production office in the College of Music, where he edits student recitals and assists in house managing productions. Previously, he served as an event lead for Cincinnati Center City Development Corporation (3CDC). He is also a classically trained bass trombonist and performed frequently in pit orchestras for several musicals. He is excited to work on Much Ado and hopes you enjoy.
Mikaela Schmitt
Director, Dramaturg
Mikaela (she/her) is an actor, director, dramaturg and arts administrator, currently studying Theatre Arts Administration and Strategic Communications at Butler University. She has previously worked as a non-profit intern with Arts for Learning Indiana, KC Repertory Theatre and Jazz Empowers. Additionally, she serves as Executive Director of a social justice student theatre company and has been seen on-stage in many productions at Butler, having the opportunity to work with many incredible artists. Mikeala is passionate about equity and engagement within theatre and is grateful to DSF for providing such a rich and exciting experience to learn and grow, and to her fellow interns and cast for such a collaborative, fulfilling production process!
Shajiba (Shaji) Sooriyakumar
Social Media Manager, Stage Manager
Shaji (she/her) is an arts administrator and social media manager, currently studying Arts Administration and Cultural Management at Humber College. In the past, she has taken on a volunteer photographer role at UforChange, a not-for-profit focused on nurturing creativity. Additionally, she has completed a 40-hour, collaborative online international learning workshop on cases in fashion innovation and sustainability, held in partnership with Humber College and Brazil’s Senac University. Shaji is passionate about sustainability, accessibility, and inclusivity in the arts. She hopes to spark conversations of these topics in her future endeavours.
BLOG POSTS
An Inside Look into Much Ado!
My name is Mara Cohen, and I am currently on the lands of the Munsee Lenape (MUN-see len-NAH-pay), Unami (oo-NAH-mee), Unalachtigo (ooh-nah-lahch-TEE-go), and the Lenni Lenape (leh-NEE le-NAHP-ay). I’d also like to take a moment to consider the legacies of colonization embedded within these technologies, these structures, and these ways of thinking that we use every day. I am using equipment and high speed internet that’s not available in many indigenous communities across Canada and the United States. I invite you to join me in acknowledging all of this, as well as the shared responsibility that it holds, which is to make the best use of our time here together. And, for ...
Introducing Much Ado About Nothing with Play On! Shakespeare
The author would like to begin this article by acknowledging that they reside on the traditional land of the Shawanaki (Shawnee), Myaamia (Miami), Ojibwe (Oh-JEEB-way), and Osage Nation (Oh-sayj). I recognize the long history of systemic oppression of indigenous peoples that continues to this day, including the removal of indigenous peoples from the Ohio region. I know that my acknowledgement is not enough, it is only a step in the right direction. It does not undo the harm continues to be inflicted against indigenous communities, their land, and water. The DSF team would also like to take a moment to consider the legacies of colonization embedded within these technologies, these structures, and ...