Shakespeare and Community: Emerging Voices
Featuring Abigail Rokison-Woodall, Rowan MacKenzie, Janice Valls-Russell, and Florence March
Moderated by Scott Jackson, Mary Irene Ryan Family Executive Director of Shakespeare at Notre Dame
Join us for a live panel discussion exploring how a movement of programs, designed with and for the incarcerated, the differently abled, and those disadvantaged by socio-economic factors, explore Shakespeare through their unique lived experience.
Shakespeare remains the world’s most produced and studied playwright. However, these pursuits have disenfranchised significant segments of society by perpetuating a cultural elitism that belies the notion of accessibility inherent in his works. In the 20th century, a movement of programs, designed with and for the incarcerated, the differently abled, and those disadvantaged by socio-economic factors (to name a few), explore Shakespeare through their unique lived experience. “Shakespeare and Community” highlights these practices through a series of panel discussions, providing a reflective space wherein the larger community can gain a broader understanding of who Shakespeare “is” and “can be” in the context of a rapidly changing culture.