Titus Andronicus to Be Performed at Historic Southside Mansion
Chicago, IL, September 29, 2010—DreamLogic Theatreworks is thrilled to open its inaugural season with Titus Andronicus, Shakespeare's brutal tale of savagery and revenge, at Beverly's historic Hopkinson House, once the final American stop on the Underground railroad. The production opens Thursday, October 21st and runs Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings at 8:00 PM. Each performance includes an open-bar cocktail hour at 6:30 PM, catered dinner, the show and a coffee and dessert post-show talk-back. For complimentary press tickets, please contact us at DreamLogicTheatreworks@gmail.com.
“The Hopkinson House was once a refuge for slaves fleeing their oppressors on the Underground Railroad,” commented director Scott McKinsey in a recent interview, “They hid in the attic, literally buried under the floorboards. When you set foot in the space, you can feel the weight of their needless suffering hanging in the air, bleeding from the walls. That is why we are so passionate about the staging of Titus Andronicus in this historic home. Titus is, at its heart, a play about needless suffering and its terrible consequences. In this staging, ever act of brutality, cruelty and prejudice that occurs feels far more visceral and immediate. The experience is very primal. However, the experience is not meant to be gratuitous. Our goal is to honor the legacy of these people who suffered immeasurable hardships and agony to achieve their freedom.”
To further tap into the immediacy and primal energy of the play, Titus Andronicus is being presented in promenade. The promenade style eliminates the barrier between audience and actors by placing them together in the same environment. Throughout the performance, patrons may move around the space amongst the actors, viewing scenes from any vantage point they choose. Rather than sitting passively outside the action, the audience is entirely immersed. The actors may speak directly to patrons around them, further drawing them into the action. The promenade experience is highly exhilarating and intensifies the core message of the plot. This staging choice is reflective of DreamLogic Theatreworks' commitment to revitalizing classic texts through bold, innovative and experimental choices.
DreamLogic Theatreworks is a non-profit theatre company founded in 2009. The production features Mallory Backstrom, Paul Fleschner, Nick Goodman, Sara Katherine Hammond, Brady Greer Huffman, Alexis Meuche, Curtis Powell, Ray Ready, Mikey Renan, Jack Sharkey, Brendan Siegfried, Jeffrey Stokes, Megan Storti and Edwin Unger. Scott McKinsey is the Artistic Director of DreamLogic and director of Titus Andronicus. Lauren Sweeney is DreamLogic’s Executive Designer and the designer for Titus Andronicus. David Sweeney is Managing Director of DreamLogic Theatreworks.
