Andrew Blasenak

There is a certain magic in the ability of a young person to find their own experiences reflected in the words of long-dead playwrights. At the age of 15, I discovered myself in Shakespeare's language. From that spark, I have gone on to earn an MFA in Shakespeare and Performance (acting) at Mary Baldwin College, choreograph fights for over a dozen Shakespeare plays, act with Shakespeare companies in New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Virginia, and Ohio, and eventually earn my PhD in Theatre History/Literature/Criticism from The Ohio State University.

I am now dedicated to the research of the contermporary theatre (including Shakespeare theatres) and teaching college students the historical and practical elements of the theatre. In this work I seek to create the environment where students can continue to engage with plays of long-dead playwrights and gaining the tools to engage with current trends in theatre.

Finally, I am an emerging director. My dissertation research allowed me to interview directors and observe rehearsal in six major Shakespeare companies: The Oregon Shakespeare Festival, The Stratford Shakespeare Festival, The Royal Shakespeare Company, Shakespeare & Company, Shakespeare’s Globe and The American Shakespeare Center. Having trained all my life in the text and history of the plays as well as having practiced verse, voice, and movement techniques to bring the plays to vivid life, I am now ready to lead ensembles of actors to create Shakespeare anew.