Shakespeare & The Plague
New Literary Project presents Shakespeare & the Plague. Shakespeare lived his entire life in the shadow of a plague, and his plays reference dread familiar to us during our own pandemic. Pulitzer Prize-winner Stephen Greenblatt of Harvard University, General Editor of The Norton Shakespeare, introduces this mash-up curated by Philippa Kelly and performed by the Pandemic Popup Players. Filmed by Obatala Mawusi and Fox Nakai at the California Shakespeare Theater. Music by Paul Dresher. Directed by Philippa Kelly. Produced by Joseph Di Prisco.
“Shakespeare lived his whole life in the shadow of the plague. The plague is present as a steady undertone throughout his plays, surfacing most often in expressions of disgust or rage or self-loathing. Shakespeare struck this disturbing note in words that were meant to be performed before thousands of people, all of whose lives had been overturned as ours have been by the plague.”
— STEPHEN GREENBLATT
“Lovely work. Pertinent and insightful.”
—LORNE BUCHMAN, President of Art Center College of Design & Author of Still in Movement: Shakespeare on Screen
Viewer’s Guide
Background information and discussion questions for teaching Shakespeare & the Plague in class and on stage. Composed by Director and Dramaturg Philippa Kelly.
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“New Literary Project offers a brilliantly curated twenty minutes of Shakespeare’s words that remind us of his timeless wisdom and of the cyclical nature of human existence and social problems. The film also provides educators a student-friendly springboard for a multitude of assignments applicable to a variety of disciplines and contexts. The opportunities for critical analysis of Shakespeare’s observations, insights, and convictions abound and are even more compelling through the lens of 2021.”
— JOHN MURRAY, Associate Professor (Teaching) The Writing Program, Dornsife College of Arts and Sciences, University of Southern California
“New Literary Project could not be more timely with their informative, well-acted and seamlessly produced “Shakespeare & the Plague.” To mask or not to mask, there is no question, but Shakespeare & the Plague provides all the evidence we need to know that William Shakespeare was ahead of his time.”
— STEVE CHABON, Dean of Students, Former Drama Teacher at the College Preparatory School, Oakland, CA
“Shakespeare & the Plague” shows students how the Bard responded in his plays to one of the more important historical events of his time. The production reveals the power of Shakespeare’s figurative language: how he uses plague to bolster dialogue and action.”
— STEPHEN MARINO, Editor, The Arthur Miller Journal
“Shakespeare & the Plague” is just terrific. Students of many grade levels will gain important historical perspective and see the continued relevance of Shakespeare’s works to this day.”
— CLIVE WORSLEY, Director, Artistic Learning, California Shakespeare Theater
“The skills employed by all involved in this film, behind the scenes as well as on stage, bring 400-year-old observations about invisible brutal killers in the populace right up to this very moment. “Shakespeare & the Plague” is a gem of a production that combines art and deadly reality, cautioning us not to turn away from our present horror and challenging us to be fully present for the healing.”
— AMY WHITE BERGER, Teaching Professor (Retired), Penn State University
Film Credits
New Literary Project presents Shakespeare & the Plague.
Joseph Di Prisco
Executive Producer
Chair, New Literary Project
Philippa Kelly
Executive Director & Dramaturg
Music by Paul Dresher
Performed by the Paul Dresher Ensemble
Script: Philippa Kelly & Joseph Di Prisco
Film-makers
Obatala Mawusi
Fox Nakai
Filmed on location at The California Shakespeare Theater, Orinda, California.
Sarah Williams, Managing Director; Eric Ting, Artistic Director
Haley Miller & Michael Kelly
Stephen Greenblatt
Harvard University
The Norton Shakespeare, General Editor
University of California, Berkeley, English Department
The Lafayette Library and Learning Center Foundation
Pandemic Popup Players
Emon Elboudwarej
Megan Trout
Philippa Kelly