March 1, 1997

Introduction

What does this Shakespeare icon represent? I don't think that this face really represents a person anymore; it's a symbol for many things. It - not he - definitely screams, "Dead. White. Male." It also represents a benchmark of Western culture, perhaps the benchmark of Western culture. And it could represent - for those willing to read or watch theater - literary genius whose insight reveals the human psyche so clearly that it's uncanny, almost god-like.

But would you describe it as "accessible?"

Accessibility and Shakespeare are probably not two words that most closely associate, but when I interviewed Jim Helsinger, Artistic Director at the Orlando-UCF Shakespeare Festival, he told me that this theater company was all about accessibility: "We really - of course I'm subjective about this - don't have an understandability problem at all with our audiences. I think that one of the things that is our hallmark is accessibility."

Toward the end of the interview, the discussion focuses briefly on the upcoming production of Richard III, specifically, what the play is about (family war, dilemmas of loyalty, love, villainy) and who Richard is. If you want more of Helsinger's vision, check out the complete interview - he's pretty convincing in his approach to making Shakespeare appetizing. He's willing to divulge why he understands this play as a love story--and more.

Jodie Marion I teach Composition at UCF while also studying for my Master's degree, which should be completed--hopefully--before the turn of the century. In the meantime I write for the Central Florida Hispanic (Education section) and especially dig reading Lawrence Durrell. Other Articles I've Written