The title of Main Street Players' “Shakespeare Is A White Supremacist” by playwright Andrew Watring conjures a few things: Was the famed Bard a racist? Is this a play about class and racial differences in during the time that he penned his plays in 16th century England?
While the title may suggest such commentary regarding Shakespeare and his values, the play is more contemporary than that, according to Carey Brianna Hart, the director of the latest production.
“The production is not an attack on Shakespeare the playwright or the world he lives in but rather an individual look, as expressed by actors of color, on their interpretations on how Shakespeare and his characters and plays expresses contemporary life and relevant social issues today,” said Hart about the play by Watring that had its world premiere at American University in Washington, D.C., in 2018 and Main Street Players presents this Friday through Oct. 17.
Hart and Main Street Players artistic director Daniel Nieves cast seven South Florida Black and Hispanic actors to convey the emotions and thoughts of the experiences of contemporary life from the vantage point of ethnic minorities, especially from people of color.
“Playwright Watring was very specific in using the powerful language from Shakespeare that is direct and powerful to convey an array of emotions and thoughts,” Hart said.
The one-act 90-minute play opens with the seven actors backstage auditioning for their roles in Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.”
“Shakespeare and his plays are the symbols to set the actors interpretations of contemporary social issues. Through the interactions of the actors to the Shakespearean texts, the actors share their experiences with issues of discrimination and race.”
Hart points out that the play is not only dramatic, but also funny with much humor in the many scenes between the actors.
“There is much laughter as well as sadness, anger and romance as well. The play is not one linear story but a wide number of stories as told by the actors, many who are named after the beloved characters in Shakespearean plays.”
Because Hart wishes to maintain suspense, she did not refer to any specific scenes in the play that reveal the interpretations by the actors about issues of discrimination and race.
South Florida actors Chastity Hart as “Titania”, Annette Monk (“Juliet”), Roderick Randle (“Macbeth”), Matthew Salas (“Director”), Katlin Svadbik (“Viola”), Vanessa Tamayo (“Ophelia”) and Erin Wilbanks (“Actress’) each were cast based on being Black and Hispanic actors.
“The play will be performed as Watring wrote in 2018, but he allowed me to amend the dialogue to suit our local actors. Actress Vanessa Tamayo is Hispanic, so instead of ‘Ophelia” saying ‘I’m trying to learn Spanish,' she says ‘I am trying to learn English,” said Hart.
Actress Hart’s last production was in “Sisters” at M Ensemble in 2020. Monk performed in lead roles in the plays “Don’t Let The Devil In” and “Is There A Hater Among Us”. Randle’s last play was in New City Players “A Raisin In The Sun” in 2019. Salas performed in “Boys Of A Certain Age” at Empire Stage. Svadbik perfomed in the Spanish language musical “La Nela De Socrates” Wilbanks performed in “Men On Boats” for Main Street Players.
Stage manager Vianca Collazo, costume designer Angie Esposito, lighting and set designer Amanda Sparhawk, and sound designer Alex Tarradell created the costumes and stage setting for “Shakespeare IS A White Supremacist”.
While a timetable is not officially set, Main Street Players Artistic Director Daniel Nieves noted that the Main Street Players plan to remain in Miami Lakes at Main Street Shopping Plaza, but will move one block west from its present location to 6812 Main Street.
“The former storefront of ‘Victoria’s Secret’ will provide us more room for our creative team to create costumes, dressing rooms and sets, so we ask our audiences to donate funds to help us relocate by going to the donation link at www.mainstreetplayers.com.
“Shakespeare Is A White Supremacist” by playwright Andrew Watring runs from September 24-October 17 at Main Street Players, 6766 Main Street in Miami Lakes on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets are $30 and $25 for seniors, students and military. For tickets and more information, go to www.mainstreetplayers.com or call (305) 558-3737.
