(August 11, 2021) – Please join us for a season celebrating inspiration and invention with a regional premiere, the return of the Southern Literary Salon Series, a first-time Shakespeare play for Memphis, and theatre’s ode to the greatest manifestation of love: sacrifice.
Our fifth annual Free Shakespeare Shout-Out Series will perform ten times at nine different outdoor locations with Memphis’ first production of the Henry VI plays. Director Stephanie Shine combines Shakespeare’s earliest three History plays to create an action-packed Wars of the Roses adaptation that features Joan of Arc and the battle for the throne – all in 90 minutes, and all for free. King Henry VI: The Wars of the Roses is sponsored by Evans/Petree, P.C. and will perform outdoors September 14-26.
The regional premiere of Lauren Gunderson’s romantic, historical drama Ada and the Engine plays on the Tabor Stage November 11-21. Gunderson’s work was last seen at TSC two years ago with her popular Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley. TSC Producing Artistic Director Dan McCleary directs this highly theatrical piece that features the Victorian Age birth of the modern computer by Ada Lovelace, who combines the mathematical ingenuity of Charles Babbage with the musical poetry of her father – Lord Byron. Ada and the Engine is sponsored by the Sims Family Charitable Trust.
The Southern Literary Salon Series returns with curated readings and discussions over the course of a cocktail hour (or more) on the Tabor Stage. Stephanie Shine curates the Series, which this season features Truman Capote and his Christmas Memory from December 12-19 (sponsored by Anne and Michael Keeney), Tennessee Williams on January 21 and 23 (sponsored by Irene and Fred Smith), and two-time Fiction Award winner Jesmyn Ward on March 27 (sponsored by Independent Bank).
The Jack Jones Children’s Literacy Gala returns to the Tabor Stage on Saturday, April 23 with both in-person and virtual options to attend. The Gala’s proceeds support TSC’s year-round, expanding Memphis area literacy programming for children. The fun evening will include performances, dinner, drinks, auctions, and the Broadway Trip-for-Two Drawing.
In addition, TSC’s Online Academy for learners of all ages includes over 40 virtual lectures, discussions, performances, teacher training modules, and how-to videos. And the Student Morning Matinee Series expands this year to include Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth, King Henry VI, and Ada and the Engine all playing at 10:30 am on the Tabor Stage.
“We never left the stage over the past 18 months, and we increased our Outreach programming,” says McCleary. “But we missed being with audiences in the same playing space. We want to inspire and excite our community to join us safely with a sense of play as we return with the beauty of spoken verse without digital distance. I can’t wait for us to share the poetry of Joan of Arc, Ada Lovelace, Lord Byron, Juliet, Macbeth, Tennessee Williams, Truman Capote, and Jesmyn Ward.”
In strict accordance with Memphis Health Department guidelines and mandates, TSC will enforce all health safety criteria as modified through the season. All TSC personnel are fully-vaccinated, and ventilation systems in TSC’s facility have been newly upgraded. Hand-sanitizer and free, disposable masks will be made available to all patrons.
The 14th Performance Season
Fifth Annual FREE Shout-Out Shakespeare Series
King Henry VI: The Wars of the Roses
adapted from William Shakespeare
by director Stephanie Shine
September 14-26
generously sponsored by Evans/Petree, P.C.
Regional Premiere
The Duke of Somerset plucks a red rose, and the Duke of York plucks a white. As fellow English nobles declare their loyalty, civil dissent blooms into a war of ungodly proportions. Joan of Arc frees France from dead Henry V’s conquest while England’s new King Henry VI is more suited to prayer than leadership. With England’s leadership now up for grabs, there is so much heart-stopping action that Shakespeare needed three plays to tell the story. But we bring it to you in one, free, 90-minute show! Follow the famed Wars of the Roses to its riveting conclusion driven by loyalty and deceit, love and family, and an unfailing ambition to win the throne. No tickets required; but bring a chair, blanket, and picnic.
Outdoor Performances:
Wiseacre Brewery, 2783 Broad Ave.
Tuesday, September 14 at 7:00 pm
Overton Square’s Chimes Amphitheatre
Wednesday, September 15 at 7:00 pm
Downtown’s Memphis River Park, 51 Riverside Dr.
Thursday, September 16 at 7:00 pm
Germantown Community Library, 1925 Exeter Rd.
Friday, September 17 at 7:00 pm
The Grove at Germantown Performing Arts Center
Saturday, September 18 at 6:00 pm
Wiseacre Brewery, 398 S. BB King Blvd.
Monday, September 20 at 7:00 pm
Overton Square’s Chimes Amphitheatre
Wednesday, September 22 at 7:00 pm
Singleton Community Center, Bartlett
Thursday, September 23 at 7:00 pm
International Harvester’s Managerial Park, Lakeland
Friday, September 24 at 7:00 pm
Collierville Town Square, Historic Train Depot
Saturday, September 25 at 7:00 pm
Ada and the Engine
a new romantic, historical drama
by Lauren Gunderson
directed by Dan McCleary
on the Tabor Stage
November 11-21
Generously sponsored by The Sims Family Charitable Trust
Preview: Thursday, November 11 at 7:30 pm
Opening: Friday, November 12 at 7:30 pm
Also: November 13, 18-20 at 7:30 pm/November 13 and 21 at 3:00 pm
Regional Premiere
Fresh from the playwright of TSC’s acclaimed Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley, Gunderson’s newest historical re-creation features Ada Lovelace, the fiery, brilliant woman who wrote the first computer program… in 1830. The daughter of Lord Byron, Ada is a precocious youngster who befriends the established inventor Charles Babbage. Together, they imagine a fantastical future where a thinking engine performs complicated calculations, speaks, predicts, and makes music. Yet every hour today, you use Ada’s perfect marriage of poetry and programming.
The Southern Literary Salon Series
on the Tabor Stage
Each Salon is a unique, fun social hour (or more) of curated readings, scenes, and discussions that explore Southern authors and subjects of significance – with Stephanie Shine and a light cocktail or two.
Truman Capote’s Christmas Memory
Sunday, December 12 & 19 at 3:00 pm
Friday, December 17 and Saturday, December 18 at 7:30 pm
Generously sponsored by Anne and Michael Keeney in memory of Jim Eikner and Helen Lowrance
Featuring Capote’s interviews, correspondence, and novel dialogue created while he lived in the South, TSC celebrates the season and the author with a special focus on his deeply affecting Christmas Memory.
Blue Roses of Tennessee Williams
Friday, January 21 at 7:30 pm
Sunday, January 23 at 3:00 pm
generously sponsored by Irene and Fred Smith
Having previously re-imagined Williams’ Glass Menagerie as an outdoor dream play that brought new attention to TSC’s theatrical creativity, this season the company explores young Thomas Lanier Williams III of Mississippi and the influences of his Southern birthplace on his work.
Amongst the Stars of Jesmyn Ward
Sunday, March 27 at 3:00 pm
generously sponsored by Independent Bank
A resident of Mississippi and survivor of Hurricane Katrina, Ward is the celebrated author of Sing, Unburied, Sing (2017 National Book Award), Navigate Your Stars, The Fire This Time, Salvage the Bones (2011 National Book Award), and Where the Line Bleeds. The only woman to win the Fiction Award twice, Ward uplifts and reveals through the power and beauty of perseverance.
The Jack Jones Children’s Literacy Gala
on the Tabor Stage
Saturday, April 23 at 6:00 pm
Inspired by Jack Jones’ lifelong passions for Shakespeare and children’s ability to read, his loving family and wife Sandra Jones make our Gala possible for both in-person and virtual enjoyment. Proceeds from the Gala will support collaborations with elementary, middle, and high schools; the V.A. Hospital; our Juvenile Justice system; and our public libraries. We will deliver plays, literacy support, and compassion in over 35,000 points of contact with our underserved children. Sponsorships are available at the Platinum, Gold, and Silver levels by contacting Stephanie Shine at (901) 759-0620. Individual tickets also are available at tnshakespeare.org.
The Online Academy
Learners of all ages and classroom teachers may browse TSC’s catalogue of over 40 virtual lectures, discussions, performances, Salons, playshops, interactive residencies, teacher training modules, and how-to videos at www.tnshakespeare.org.
Student Morning Matinees
on the Tabor Stage at 10:30 am
directed by Stephanie Shine
sponsored by Arts Midwest, National Endowment for the Arts, International Paper, FedEx, Jack Jones Children’s Literacy Fund, ArtsMemphis, Tennessee Arts Commission
Romeo and Juliet
October 7, 14, 21, 28
A play about hope and joy in the midst of systemic rage, Shakespeare’s tragedy teaches a culture how to be accountable and take the necessary steps for real change. Simply produced and performed by eight actors, TSC’s urgently-paced production brims with youthful good humor and is immediately accessible. This entree to live Shakespeare sets the stage for a lifetime of theatre attendance.
Macbeth
November 3-4, 17 and December 1-2
Six actors playing multiple roles transform before students’ eyes and bring Shakespeare’s fierce masterpiece to riveting life. With human ingenuity and artistic creativity, this aural world will sing, haunt, and inspire. Students will enjoy an experience similar to what Shakespeare’s own audiences were thrilled by and never forgot.
King Henry VI: The Wars of the Roses
September 16 and 23
Ada and the Engine
November 11 and 18
To book a student’s ticket ($10) or entire class or grade, please call TSC at (901) 759-0604. Matinees are available to “Arts Access” members.
Box Office
Purchase tickets online at www.tnshakespeare.org or by calling (901) 759-0604. Open Monday-Friday from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm, and one hour prior to curtain. TSC is located at 7950 Trinity Road, Memphis, TN 38018-6297.
The Free Shakespeare Shout-Out Series production of King Henry VI: The Wars of the Roses is free of charge, does not require reservations/tickets, and performs outdoors in multiple off-site venues.
All paid performances are in-person on the Tabor Stage. In strict accordance with Memphis Health Department guidelines and mandates, TSC will enforce all health safety criteria as modified through the season. All TSC personnel are fully-vaccinated, and ventilation systems in TSC’s facility have been newly upgraded. Hand-sanitizer and free, disposable masks will be made available to all patrons.
The Southern Literary Salon Series tickets in Seating Section One are $27 (Students $20/Seniors $24). Seating Sections Two and Three are $20 (Students $15/Seniors $20).
Ada and the Engine Preview performance tickets are $20 in all Seating Sections. All other performances in Seating Section One are $40 (Students $20/Seniors $35), and in Seating Sections Two and Three are $30 (Students $20/Seniors $25). Thursdays are FREE WILL KIDS’ NIGHTS: up to 2 children 17 years and younger may attend for free when accompanied by at least one, full-price-paying Adult guardian; while seats last. All children will be required to wear face-coverings.
The Jack Jones Children’s Literacy Gala single tickets are $125, with 8-ticket Platinum/Gold/Silver Sponsorships available with tiered benefits. Please contact Stephanie Shine for details at (901) 759-0620.
No refunds/exchanges. House opens 30 minutes prior to curtain. Credit Card charges require a $1 per-ticket fee. Casts and schedules subject to change with notice. Free parking and covered drop-off at front door.
Season 14 Sponsors and Partners
TSC’s generous sponsors of its season, productions, and Education and Outreach Program include FedEx, International Paper, the National Endowment for the Arts, Arts Midwest, ArtsMemphis, Tennessee Arts Commission, Independent Bank, Evans|Petree, P.C., First Horizon Foundation through an ArtsFirst grant, AutoZone, Campbell Clinic, the family of Pat and Ernest Kelly, The Sims Family Charitable Trust, Nancy R. Copp, the Jack Jones Children’s Literacy Fund, the family of Owen and Margaret Wellford Tabor, the Barbara B. Apperson Angel Fund, the Dunbar Abston Fund for Sustainable Excellence, Anne and Michael Keeney, Irene and Fred Smith, and the Memphis City Council. TSC’s season is funded under a Grant Contract with the State of Tennessee.
TSC’s programming and outreach partners include University of Memphis’ Department of Theatre & Dance, Shelby County Schools, Collierville Municipal School District, Memphis Juvenile Justice System, the Memphis V.A. Hospital, Cities of Bartlett/Collierville/Germantown/Lakeland/Memphis, and the Benjamin Hooks Library Friends.
About Tennessee Shakespeare Company:
Tennessee Shakespeare Company is a professional, not-for-profit theatre and education organization in Memphis dedicated to live, diverse performances of William Shakespeare’s plays, as well as works of social significance by classical, Southern, and modern writers/composers; and to providing innovative educational and training programming in-person and online.
Founded in 2008 by Producing Artistic Director Dan McCleary, Tennessee Shakespeare Company is Memphis’ first and only professional, classical theatre. In 2017, TSC purchased its first performing arts facility, which is being renovated into the state’s only permanent home for professional, year-round Shakespeare performance, education, and training. The company is engaged in its Brave New World capital campaign with a goal of $9.2 million, of which nearly one-third has been raised.
TSC has engaged its community with 58 site-specific plays and events for over 52,000 patrons. Its ground-breaking Education Program has reached 120 schools across nine states, totaling over 275,000 student interactions. The Program has achieved a high regional and national profile, partners annually with most local school systems, and this year is a recipient of two National Endowment for the Arts/Arts Midwest’s Shakespeare in American Communities grants: one for The Romeo and Juliet Project in underserved local schools, and the other for expanded residencies with local incarcerated youth (TSC is one of just a handful of U.S. theatres to be awarded for the third consecutive year).
