As You Like It Director’s Concept

For this production of As You Like It, I envision a contemporary setting that (hopefully) resonates with the political climate of today. The Court of Duke Frederick and his associates will be depicted as a highly-charged, oppressive space—one that embodies the political and cultural atmosphere of a populist, authoritarian and toxic masculine regime. And I mean cranking toxic masculinity… a society of exclusion, hyper-patriotism, and a rejection of progressive values.

The forest of Arden, in contrast, will be an open, fluid space, representing a sanctuary from the rigid confines of the court—where individual freedoms, love and the power of self-express can flourish — or at least (for a short time) we can breath a little better….

-Esme Allen

Oliver: Dylan Fort

Orlando: Ian Tomarakos

Rosalind: Sara Gluck

Celia: Raya Young

Adam: Gordon Gumuchian

Duke Frederick: Cameron Nye

Duke Senior: Wes Crowley

Touchstone: Brock Hoey

Jaques: Caroline Forbes

Pheobe: Beth Bonenfant

Audrey / Rosalind U/S: Megan Falkner

Charles the Wrestler / Amiens: Cameron Holmes

Dennis / First Lord in Forrest: Cole Hastings

Le Beau / Second Lord in Forrest / Forrester: Marck-Hens Jules

1st Lord in Court / Silvius: Johnathan Pappas

2nd Lord in Court / Corin: Dylon Medeiros

3rd Lord in Court / Sir Oliver Martext / Orlando U/S: Christopher Poe

William / Hyman God of Marriage: Rayniel Lara

Week 1 Audrey: Gia Meola

Week 1 Celia: Casey Williams