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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
Thomas Sackville
Emilia Lanier
The Language Project
Romeo and Juliet
Shakespeare Pedagogy
Twelfth Night
American Players Theatre
Tracy Michelle Arnold

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

PublishesMonthlyEpisodes100Founded14 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Performing ArtsLanguage LearningEducationArts

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Artwork for The State of Shakespeare

Latest Episodes

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

The Merry Wives of Windsor; Act 2 Scene 2 Mistress QuicklyApril 2, 2026 Which female character became such a fan favorite that Shakespeare featured her in four different plays? Award-winning actor Nancy Voigts brings this famously bawdy mischief-make... more

A Truant Dispostion: Hamlet and HoratioMarch 4, 2025 Is Horatio the villain? A literary stand-in for the murderously opportunistic “friends” who stalked the halls of power in Elizabethan England? Carol Grieb imagines a Hamlet in which Hamlet’s so-cal... more

YouTube

The Merchant of Venice; Act 3, Scene 1 ShylockNovember 10, 2025 The villainy you teach me I will execute, and it shall go hard but I will better the instruction.” Actor and storyteller Saul Rubinek takes us inside his one-man show Playing Shylock, no... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

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
Saul Rubinek
Actor; star of the one-man show Playing Shylock
The State of Shakespeare guest / Performer
Episode: Saul Rubinek
Terry Knickerbocker
Theatre educator, director, and Meisner-trained teacher
Episode: Terry Knickerbocker
Bonnie J. Monte
Stage director, writer, and author; artistic director emeritus of the Shakespeare Theater of New Jersey
Shakespeare Theater of New Jersey
Episode: Bonnie J. Monte and Isaac Hickox-Young
Isaac Hickox-Young
Actor, Romeo in the Shakespeare Theater's Romeo and Juliet; touring Shakespeare Live participant
Shakespeare Theater (Chicago area and touring programs)
Episode: Bonnie J. Monte and Isaac Hickox-Young
Tracy Michelle Arnold
Actor with extensive regional theatre experience and long-time member of American Players Theatre
American Players Theatre (APT)
Episode: Tracy Michelle Arnold
Mei Ann Teo
Theatre and film director focusing on cross-genre, civic contemplative practice
Artistic Leader at Ping Chong and Company
Episode: Mei Ann Teo
Gideon Rappaport
Shakespeare scholar and author
Hamilton College; SUNY Cortland; Concordia University; University of New Hampshire
Episode: Gideon Rappaport

Hosts

Gerritt VanderMeer
Host of discussions focusing on the state of Shakespeare in various contexts, including artistic insights from different professionals.
Jim Elliott
Co-host bringing focus to the interpretation and contemporary relevance of Shakespeare's works through interviews.

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.

The podcast is noted for its quality in providing access to experienced artists and heartfelt insights into Shakespeare and performing arts.
Listeners appreciate the informative and authentic content, enjoying the depth of discussions with Shakespeare scholars and actors.
The interviews are seen as must-listens for anyone interested in the state of theater, particularly influenced by contemporary issues.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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.
Nancy Voigts
Q: What would Shakespeare be surprised by in today's rehearsal room?
She believes he'd be delighted by how much fun the cast is having, how language is embraced, and how audiences still connect with human nature across centuries.
Nancy Voigts
Q: What was it like to work with the language and the audience in this space?
She explains the mix of prose and verse, the table readings to paraphrase lines, and how the musical theatre background helps connect with modern audiences while keeping Shakespeare authentic.
Nancy Voigts
Q: Why is this production of The Merry Wives unique and special in 2026?
Nancy highlights the show's pure entertainment value, its heart, and the current cultural appetite for light, fun theater that still feels sharp and timely.

Audience Metrics

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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?

Conversations within this podcast focus on various aspects of Shakespeare's works, the art of performance, and the evolution of theater in today's context. Guest speakers include a mix of actors, playwrights, and artistic directors who provide unique insights into their experiences with Shakespeare, along with discussions of contemporary issues affecting theater productions today. Notable topics include the interpretation of Shakespearean characters, the influence of modern events on performances, and efforts toward inclusivity in classical theater. Accentuating the discussions are personal anecdotes that shine a light on the challenges and joys of working within the world of Shakespeare.

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Which podcasts are similar to The State of Shakespeare?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The State of Shakespeare:

1. Folger Shakespeare Library: Shakespeare Unlimited
2. Not Just the Tudors
3. Pod Save America
4. Today, Explained
5. The Rest Is History

How many episodes of The State of Shakespeare are there?

The State of Shakespeare launched 14 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.

How do I contact The State of Shakespeare?

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What guests have appeared on The State of Shakespeare?

Recent guests on The State of Shakespeare include:

1. Nancy Voigts
2. Carol Grieb
3. Saul Rubinek
4. Terry Knickerbocker
5. Bonnie J. Monte
6. Isaac Hickox-Young
7. Tracy Michelle Arnold
8. Mei Ann Teo

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