History of The Philadelphia Shakespeare Theatre

The Philadelphia Shakespeare Theatre was founded as The Red Heel Theatre in 1989, initially focusing on classic works of English theatre. In 1993, Carmen Khan became the Artistic Director of Red Heel and in 1996 focused the company's efforts on the works of Shakespeare, renaming it The Philadelphia Shakespeare Festival. Since that time, The Festival has produced over 30 plays, reached over 30,000 High School students and nearly 70,000 adult audience members. In 2008/9, we engaged in intensive planning with our board of directors and cultural and community leaders and decided to re-brand and rename the company to better reflect our programming. We now have several programs for adults and students including a lecture series featuring world-renowned Shakespeare Scholars, Shakespeare School Tour which also tours in schools, and a Classical Acting Academy providing early career actors with intense classical training culminating in a free summer Shakespeare play for the public.

In Summer 2008, The City Council of Philadelphia passed a resolution honoring The Theatre for excellence in performance and educational programming, recognizing the impact The Theatre has made on Philadelphia’s cultural landscape and particularly on its students.

Production History

2009    The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) - Domenick Scudera
2008    Romeo & Juliet - Carmen Khan
2008    Pericles, Prince of Tyre - Carmen Khan
2007    The Taming of the Shrew - Domenick Scudera
2007    Othello - Carmen Khan
2006    Much Ado About Nothing - Carmen Khan
2006    The Tempest - Carmen Khan
2006    The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) - Domenick Scudera
2006    Young Professional Company, The Two Gentlemen of Verona - Domenick Scudera
2005    As You Like It - Carmen Khan
2005    Hamlet - Carmen Khan
2005    Young Professional Company, Twelfth Night - Jonah Cohen and Emmy Miller
2004    The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) - Domenick Scudera
2003    Julius Caesar - David Howey
2003    Macbeth - Gus Kaikkonen
2002    Othello - Carmen Khan
2002    A Midsummer Night’s Dream - Dennis Delaney
2002    King Lear - Carmen Khan
2001    Measure for Measure - Harriet Powers
2001    Twelfth Night - Carmen Khan
2001    Cymbeline - David Howey
2000    The Winter’s Tale - David Ingram
2000    The Taming of the Shrew - Eleanor Holdridge
2000    Romeo and Juliet - Tazwell Thompson
1999    Much Ado About Nothing - Domenick Scudera
1999    Hamlet - Jim Christy
1998    The Merchant of Venice - Carmen Khan
1998    The Tempest - Eleanor Holdridge
1997    Macbeth - Domenick Scudera
1996    Deirdre of the Sorrows by J.M. Synge
1996    Much Ado About Nothing - Domenick Scudera

 

 

City of Philadelphia
2008    Resolution from the City Council of Philadelphia
           Honoring the theatre for its commitment to producing excellent Shakespeare productions
           and education programming and making both accessible to all. Introduced by Jannie L. Blackwell and
           Blondell Reynolds Brown

Barrymore Awards
2007    Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Play Award for John Zak as Caliban, The Tempest

Barrymore Nominations
2008    Excellence in Theatre Education and Community Service Award Prize, sponsored by the Virginia and
           Harvey Kimmel Arts Education Fund for The Open Door Project

2007    Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Play for John Zak as Caliban, The Tempest

2007    Charlotte Cushman Award for Outstanding Leading Actress in a Play for Christie Parker as Desdemona,
           Othello

2006    Clear Sound Award for Outstanding Sound Design for Fabian Obispo, The Tempest

2003    Outstanding Sound Design for Fabian Obispo, Macbeth

2002    Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Play for John Peakes as Gloucester, King Lear

2002    Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Play for Mollie Hall as Puck, A Midsummer Night's Dream

2002    Outstanding Original Music for Obadiah Eaves, King Lear

2001    Outstanding Direction of a Play for Harriet Power, Measure for Measure

2001    Outstanding Leading Actor in a Play for David Howey as Malvolio, Twelfth Night

2001    Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Play for Ian Merrill Peakes as Mercutio, Romeo & Juliet