Shakespeare Carolina Opens Season in Charlotte; Returns to Winthrop in Summer

Quick Facts

This summer Shakespeare Carolina at Winthrop will begin its inaugural season, opening with Shakespeare’s classic comedy "Two Gentleman of Verona" to be directed by James Cartee.

Rounding out the summer, Chris O’Neill will direct William Shakespeare’s "The Tempest" Aug. 3-7.

ROCK HILL, S.C. - Shakespeare Carolina, the theatre in residence at Winthrop University, will open its 2011 season with John Clifford’s "Ines De Castro" April 27-May 1 at the Duke Energy Theatre at Spirit Square, Charlotte, N.C.

Based on true events, "Ines De Castro" is a stunning tale of love and vengeance in 14th century Portugal. Managing Artistic Director Chris O’Neill has a long history with both "Ines De Castro" and playwright John Clifford. O’Neill played the role of the king in the American premiere of "Ines De Castro," performed on Hilton Head Island and Charleston, S.C., in 1992 and directed its second American production as a part of Winthrop University’s Student Director Series in 1997. It was while directing the 1997 production that O’Neill met and developed a 14-year friendship with Clifford. O’Neill also has directed Clifford’s "Playing with Fire" at the Off-Tryon Theatre Company.

This summer Shakespeare Carolina at Winthrop will begin its inaugural season, opening with Shakespeare’s classic comedy "Two Gentleman of Verona" to be directed by James Cartee. The production will run July 13-17 at Winthrop University’s Johnson Theatre. Cartee, who attended Winthrop and Leo Mezzone's Del Arte School of Theatre movement, has traveled the world performing and is currently settled in Charlotte where he heads the group, Citizens of the Universe. Having worked in every aspect of theatre, he looks forward to directing for Shakespeare Carolina for the first time this year.

Rounding out the summer, O’Neill will direct William Shakespeare’s "The Tempest" Aug. 3-7. O’Neill’s take on the Bard’s classic tale of redemption will focus on the dream-like qualities of Shakespeare’s text.

Beginning with the summer of 2011, Winthrop University and Shakespeare Carolina has formed a partnership to produce classical theatre in Rock Hill. The partnership, Shakespeare Carolina at Winthrop, brings together the artistic leadership of Shakespeare Carolina with the faculty and students of Winthrop’s Department of Theatre and Dance. The partnership presents two or three productions in the summer in Winthrop’s Johnson Theatre.

Shakespeare Carolina seeks to promote the universality of Shakespeare’s canon to audiences that may not otherwise be exposed to the works of world’s greatest playwright. It is Shakespeare Carolina’s goal to grow into one of the region’s premiere cultural institutions, providing educational outreach as well as educational, technical and artistic opportunities for all segments of York County’s population.

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