Workshop Date: Monday, April 15, 2024

Gender performativity is a frequent theme in Shakespeare’s work and an inextricable element of its history — both the form and the function. This class will explore that foundational truth and address gender as a part of character creation within a larger discussion of archetype. This class is for Shakespeare lovers, Shakespeare haters, and any performer curious about breaking the binary.

Instructor

Will Wilhelm (they/them) is a non-binary actor, writer, and educator. Last season, About Face Theatre produced the world premiere of their solo show and playwriting debut: GENDER PLAY, OR WHAT YOU WILL, co-created with Erin Murray. Will has been invited to teach and share their work with universities across the US including Northwestern University, University of Pittsburgh, Emerson College, Loyola University, Roosevelt University, Wofford College, Harold Washington College, and Baldwin Wallace University, as well as Mozarteum University in Austria and University of Wolverhampton in the UK. Select Chicago performance credits include MR. BURNS (Theater Wit), STRAIGHT WHITE MEN (Steppenwolf Theatre), A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM (Oak Park Festival Theatre), NOTEBOOKS OF LEONARDO DA VINCI (Goodman Theatre), and MY WONDERFUL BIRTHDAY SUIT (Chicago Children’s Theatre). Regional credits include RENT (Portland Center Stage); NOTEBOOKS OF LEONARDO DA VINCI (Shakespeare Theatre Company); and OKLAHOMA!, AS YOU LIKE IT, and MACBETH (Oregon Shakespeare Festival). Will received two Jeff Award nominations for GENDER PLAY: Best Solo Performance & Best New Work. A proud Northwestern graduate, Will is represented by Gray Talent Group. www.WillWilhelm.com IG: @mx.willwilhelm