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Artwork for The State of Shakespeare

The State of Shakespeare

The State of Shakespeare
Shakespeare
American Shakespeare Center
50-50 Shakespeare Project
Falstaff
Macbeth
Ethics
Gender Equity
Community Engagement
Theater
Acting
Comedy
Henry IV
Othello
Thomas Sackville
Emilia Lanier
The Language Project
Romeo and Juliet
Shakespeare Pedagogy
Twelfth Night
American Players Theatre

Great Interviews with Great Artists. We’re talking Shakespeare.

PublishesMonthlyEpisodes100Founded15 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Performing ArtsArtsEducationLanguage Learning

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Artwork for The State of Shakespeare

Latest Episodes

Othello; Act 2, Scene 1 IagoJune 17, 2026 Who says, "I have to bring my truth to the part I'm playing": Ben Turner or Iago? In the Shakespeare Theatre of DC’s new production of Othello, Ben Turner reveals the humanity and heart beneath Iago’s machina... more

Othello May 19, 2026 “What’s he, then, that says I play the villain?” Few questions more clearly reveal where each of us stands in today’s deeply polarized society. Recorded on the eve of a profoundly tense moment in global geopolitics, we speak with... more

Titus Andronicus; Act 5, Scene 1 AaronApril 29, 2026 “I have done a thousand dreadful thingsAs willingly as one would kill a fly,And nothing grieves me heartily indeedBut that I cannot do ten thousand more.” Director Jesse Berger and actor McKinley B... more

As You Like It Folger TheatreApril 20, 2026 How should an actor approach Shakespeare’s language? Is the focus on rehearsing delivery, or on cultivating presence in the moment? Director Timothy Douglas credits the teachings of Tina Packer and Kristin ... more

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Recent Guests

Eric Tucker
Artistic Director, Bedlam Theatre Co.
Bedlam Theatre Co.
Episode: Bedlam
Susanna Melanzi
Actor/Bedlam company member
Bedlam Theatre Co.
Episode: Bedlam
Ryan Quinn
Actor/Bedlam company member
Bedlam Theatre Co.
Episode: Bedlam
Susanna Hoffman
Actor/Bedlam company member
Bedlam Theatre Co.
Episode: Bedlam
Jesse Berger
Founder of Red Bull Theater
Red Bull Theater
Episode: Jesse Berger and McKinley Belcher III
McKinley Belcher III
Actor portraying Aaron in Titus Andronicus
Red Bull Theater
Episode: Jesse Berger and McKinley Belcher III
Timothy Douglas
Internationally acclaimed director, actor and educator; associate artist on the Board of Trustees with Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park
Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park
Episode: Timothy Douglas
Nancy Voigts
Chicago Shakespeare Theatre actor, playing Mistress Quickly in The Merry Wives of Windsor
Chicago Shakespeare Theatre
Episode: Nancy Voigts
Carol Grieb
Author of A Truant Disposition, Discovering the Tragedy of Hamlet Through the Role of Horatio
Episode: Carol Grieb

Hosts

Garrett Vandermeer
Host and co-host of The State of Shakespeare; leads interviews and discussions on Shakespeare performance and pedagogy.
Jim Elliott
Co-host of The State of Shakespeare; conducts interviews with scholars and actors.

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 23 ratings
  • Fantastic interview!

    Barry Edelstein’s interview is a must listen if you have any interest in the state of Theatre as a result of Covid.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    prof hhb
    United States5 years ago
  • Best Shakespeare Podcast our there

    I’ve been listening to this podcast since September when it was introduced to me. Not only is it informative, it’s honest and authentic. Jim Elliott and Gerritt VanderMeer allow the audience access to so many Shakespeare scholars and working Shakespearean actors with years and years of experience. I am grateful for Them State of Shakespeare’. It’s my favorite podcast on The Bard!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Actor Dan Pavacic
    United States6 years ago
  • Love it!

    Great stuff! Love the discussions and insight. Keep it up. And thanks!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Shakespeare Ninja
    United States14 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Audience comments highlight accessible, authentic discussions that pull back the curtain on theatre-making.
Many fans value the mix of scholarship and practical storytelling from live productions.
Listeners praise the candid, in-depth interviews with seasoned Shakespeare practitioners.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Bedlam
Q: What drew Bedlam back to Shakespeare with a four-person Othello?
The group explains that a smaller cast emphasizes intimacy, language, and a direct line of influence among the actors, allowing them to explore contemporary themes such as race and patriarchy more intensely than in larger productions.
Timothy Douglas
Q: How did you transition from acting to directing?
It started as a full stop after an unsuccessful move to Los Angeles, but opportunities as a coach and later as a director began to surface. A pivotal moment came when I agreed to direct A Raisin in the Sun for USC, which led to a formal path into directing.
Timothy Douglas
Q: Shakespeare, how did you get involved with Shakespeare in your life?
My formal training included a course on Shakespeare and heightened language, which planted the roots. After drama school I connected with Shakespeare and Company, where Tina Packer and Kristin Linklater deeply impacted my approach and confidence, leading to a lifelong association.
Tracy Michelle Arnold
Q: Why King John for the Language Project and what about the mother-son relationships in the play?
King John was chosen because it's relatively unknown and offers rich material for fresh interpretation. The speakers discuss Eleanor of Aquitaine, Constance, and other mother-son dynamics as a way to explore power, politics, and emotional depth, highlighting how Shakespeare gives voice to women even in historical/less-studied works.
Tracy Michelle Arnold
Q: Tell us about The Language Project.
The Language Project is a year-round initiative born from the hosts' desire to train new actors using Shakespeare as the primary source material. It includes two-week intensives, uses outdoor spaces to confront elements like wind and rain, and emphasizes a method that grows presence, listening, and deep analysis of language while involving local universities and professors in selecting participants.

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Frequently Asked Questions About The State of Shakespeare

What is The State of Shakespeare about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A thoughtful deep-dive into Shakespeare across performance, pedagogy, and contemporary cultural discourse. Episodes center on intimate, actor-driven productions (like a four-person Othello) and bold directorial choices (such as near-future stagings of Titus Andronicus), with conversations often framed around race, gender, language, and audience engagement. Noteworthy is the blend of practitioner voices—actors, directors, dramaturgs, and educators—who bring both historical insight and practical craft to the table, making it a strong pick for listeners who want to understand how Shakespeare is being reinterpreted today and what it takes to stage it compellingly. The show tends to blend scholarly perspective with on-the-ground theatre-making, ... more

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The State of Shakespeare launched 15 years ago and published 100 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The State of Shakespeare?

Recent guests on The State of Shakespeare include:

1. Eric Tucker
2. Susanna Melanzi
3. Ryan Quinn
4. Susanna Hoffman
5. Jesse Berger
6. McKinley Belcher III
7. Timothy Douglas
8. Nancy Voigts

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