The Tempest Digital Program

From the Director

Welcome to The Tempest, Commonwealth Shakespeare Company’s 25^th production of Free Shakespeare on the Common!  These productions have become a Boston tradition since we began in 1996; and on behalf of all our artists, technicians, and staff, we are so thrilled and honored to come together with you tonight to bring live theater back to the Boston Common.

The Tempest is especially resonant for us today, since it deals with issues of isolation and loneliness, and people’s need to survive and thrive in unexpected and difficult circumstances. It is also especially insightful in its exploration of conflict and strife, and the need for compassion and forgiveness to heal the ruptures in society and create a better world.

I’d like to offer a special thank-you to our sponsors and donors, whose generosity allows us to keep our productions free and accessible to all. And of course we rely on people like you as well, so I hope you’ll make a donation of $10 or $20, or whatever amount is meaningful to you, if you can.

Now sit back and enjoy The Tempest!

Steven Maler,

Founding Artistic Director

Supporters

Click HERE for a list of Commonwealth Shakespeare Company Supporters.

Cast and Creative Team

John Douglas Thompson*- Prospero
John Lam– Ariel
Siobhan Juanita Brown– Gonzala
Remo Airaldi* – Antonio
Nora Eschenheimer* – Miranda
John Kuntz* – Trinculo
Nael Nacer* – Caliban
Richard Noble*- Alonso
Maurice Emmanuel Parent*- Sebastian
Fred Sullivan Jr.* – Stephano
Michael Underhill – Ferdinand
Ekemini Ekpo– Ensemble
Duncan Gallagher– Ensemble
Jessica Golden– Ensemble
Marta Rymer– Ensemble
Dylan C. Wack– Ensemble

Steven Maler– Director
Levi Philip Marsman– Choreographer/ Movement Coach
Clint Ramos +- Co-Scenic Designer
Jeffrey Petersen +- Co-Scenic Designer
Nancy Leary +- Costume Designer
Kat Ibasco – Assistant Costume Designer
Steven Doucette- Props Artisan
Eric Southern+- Co-Lighting Designer
Maximo Grano De Oro– Co-Lighting Designer
David Reiffel +- Composer/Sound Designer

+Denotes member United Scenic Artists 829.

Marsha Smith*- Production Stage Manager
Ashley Pitchford*- Assistant Stage Manager
Ross Gray- Assistant Stage Manager

*Denotes Member of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.

This Theatre operates under an agreement between the League of Resident Theatres and Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.

Production Team

Board of Directors

Click HERE for a list of Board of Directors.

Staff 

Click HERE to learn more about the CSC Staff.

Synopsis

Prospero, the former and rightful Duke of Milan, washed up on the shores of this island with his baby daughter, Miranda, many years ago. 

On this day, Prospero uses his magic and the powers of his spirit-servant, Ariel, to conjure a storm–the tempest of the title–to shipwreck a passing vessel. Aboard this wrecked ship is a group of royals: Alonso, the King of Naples; his son Ferdinand, the prince; his treacherous brother, Sebastian; and Prospero’s treacherous brother, Antonio, among other nobles and mariners. 

In this tale of magic, betrayal, revenge, and family, Prospero uses his learned sorcery to trick and trial the stranded sea voyagers, in the hopes that he will be avenged for these years of forced exile. Meanwhile, Prospero’s slave, Caliban, forms alliances with Stephano and Trinculo, a drunken clown and a fool, respectively, to try to rid himself of his master. On another part of the island, Ferdinand and Miranda meet and begin to fall in love. All must come to terms with the past if peace and love are to reign in this brave new world.

Sponsors

Thank you to the following sponsors for their generous support: 

GBH, Xfinity, Ovation TV, Liberty Mutual Insurance, Massachusetts Convention Center Authority, Massachusetts Cultural Council, Downtown Boston Business Improvement District, The Highland Street Foundation, Mix 104.1, Suffolk University, Boston Parks and Recreation Department, The Boston Cultural Council, and The Newbury Hotel.

GBH

MCCA

Xfinity/Ovation TV

Land Acknowledgment

CSC’s production of Free Shakespeare on the Common performs on land now known as The Boston Common which is on the traditional lands of the Pawtucket and Massachusett tribes, as well as the historic lands of the Wampanoag nation. The Boston Common, in particular, has a bloody history towards Indigenous peoples that is seldom discussed. We wish to express our sorrow for this history and extend our deepest gratitude for the use of this space. Click HERE for more information on land acknowledgment.

Accessibility

Anyone needing special accommodations is encouraged to contact CSC in advance at 617-362-7485 or email us at audienceservices@commshakes.org. Commonwealth Shakespeare Company is committed to providing equal access to Free Shakespeare on the Common through its access and inclusion program. Click HERE for more information on accessibility.

Tempest Talks: Looking Behind the Curtain

Tempest Talks give audience members the opportunity to get a unique look at the play itself and a peek behind the scenes with the creative team that is working to bring the play to life. The series focuses on the various elements that come together to put a great production on the stage: direction, design, performance.