Shakespeare at Lunch

Ten sixth grade students from Hannah Ashton Middle School in Reynoldsburg (above) along with three MFA acting students from Ohio State performed a wee bit of Romeo and Juliet (below) to guests at OSU President Gee's pre-game lunch event on November 13. The children are students of Amy McKibben, who is one of 38 local schoolteachers involved in the OSU/Royal Shakespeare Company partnership and teacher professional development program called "Stand Up for Shakespeare America." The students performed part of Act I, Scene I for about 300 guests, capped off with a staged fight by MFA actors Ibsen Santos and Kevin McClatchey and a wrap-up to the scene by MFA Charlesanne Rabensburg.

The event not only let the kids spotlight some of the Shakespeare techniques they've learned, but also served as a kick-off for Ohio State's summer 2011 fund-raising initiative in New York City. Ohio State will join Lincoln Center Festival and Park Avenue Armory next summer to present the entire RSC ensemble in a repertory of plays for six weeks. On July 12, 2011, Ohio State will thank major donors and generous alumni for their financial support of Stand Up for Shakespeare America with the Scarlet and Gray Shakespeare Gala, a private performance of the RSC's celebrated new production of Romeo and Juliet at the Armory.

The announcement about the initiative appeared in the Columbus Dispatch the day after the lunch event. Read it here.

Notable News

Mark your calendar for a double gallery opening on Thurs, Dec 2, 6-9 pm. The Arts Initiative is co-sponsoring the Ohio Art League's annual Thumb Box Exhibition (below), and the show will fill both galleries in the alley at South Campus Gateway. Stop by and see a wide range of "small works" by local artists.


Artillery Ohio will present its Holiday Art Market on Saturday, Dec 11, from 10 am to 5 pm at the Gateway Film Center at South Campus Gateway (High St at 10th). More than 30 artists will be offering original and affordable gifts for the holiday season, from pottery and knitwear to jewelry and more. The market will be followed by the Ohio Art League's Holiday Mirror Ball from 7 to 11 pm in the gallery next to the film center.

Sketch by Number presents its holiday show -- The Eight Reindeer Monologues -- at 7:30 pm, Dec 9, 10 and 11 at the Green Room at South Campus Gateway. The "wickedly funny" show, by Jeff Goode, focuses on the viewpoint of the eight tiny reindeer when something isn't right at the North Pole. Tickets are $10. Email tickets@sketchbynumber.org for reservations.