Julius Caesar
Catskill Mountain Shakespeare
June 2024
Creative Team
Direction -
Movement -
Stage Management -
Scenic Design -
Costume Design -
Lighting Design -
Sound Design -
Michael Alvarez
Réka Echerer
Lisa R. Stafford
Josh Oberlander
Karen Boyer
Conor Mulligan
Levi Manners
Project Overview
Performed under a tent in the Catskills, Shakespeare - while I would never describe him as a favorite of mine - can still make for a moving piece. While this soundscape was overall quite dark, there are moments of light that can be heard as the characters - whatever their intentions may be - work to gain something more.
The decision was made to add a character to the ensemble. This "Shadow Dancer" appeared at various times to taunt characters with the promise of power. This manifested itself in the sound design mainly through the constant "undertone" sound that ran throughout the show - never letting us forget what the characters are reaching for. This not only had the effect of isolating the tent from the rest of the outside world, but also created a moving, breathing, driving force to elevate these Shadow moments. This can be heard coming to life at the beginning of Opening Sequence.
We also had several conversations about a so-called "liminal space" that many characters fall into throughout the show. This space, where the Shadow Dancer often appeared, was a dark world of longing, scheming, and desire. Check out Brutus Liminal for a direct example!
The end of the show is the only time we truly get silence during the piece. The Shadow dancer, in the end, wins control over all characters and leaves them laying on stage. As they exit, the droning finally winds down, leaving the audience in the silence of death.