“font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; line-height: 14px;”>Will Shaw is a full-time, working, professional actor in St. Louis – at least until June 19.
“font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana;”>Shaw is playing Lucentio – and Cambio, a character played by Lucentio in disguise – in “font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family:”> Shakespeare Festival St. Louis’ production of
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“font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana;”>After that, it’s back to New York, an office job and auditions for this 25-year-old New Yorker who studied acting in New England. He is a graduate of Tufts University (near Boston) and the Brown University/Trinity Rep MFA Acting Program in Providence, R.I.
“font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana; color: #070401;”> In fact, his time in St. Louis preparing for this production has been his first visit to the Midwest. When he spoke with
“mso-bidi-font-style: normal;”>The American anxious to start full, technical rehearsals in the park. Shaw admitted he had been left “flabbergasted” by the process of rehearsing an outdoors show during a season of almost daily rain.
“font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana; color: #070401;”> Rehearsals continued relentlessly indoors, leaving him little time to explore the city; though a Cardinals game, the Gateway Arch and the City Museum were on his to-do list. The rehearsals themselves have been worth the trip to town.
“font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana; color: #070401;”> “Some of the actors I am working with are comedic geniuses,” Shaw said. “They are pulling some amazing stuff out of the script.”
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“font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Verdana; color: #070401;”>He especially lauded David Graham Jones, who is playing Tranio, and Karl Gregory, who plays Grumio. “font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Verdana; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;”> Stuart Howard, Amy Schecter and Paul Hardt cast the show, and Sean Graney is directing it. “font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family:”> Rick Dildine is executive director of Shakespeare Festival St. Louis.
“font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana; color: #070401;”> Shaw has experience with Shakespeare’s (at times) archaic language, with previous roles in Measure for Measure (Claudio); Hamlet (Marcellus/Player), The Tempest (Caliban) and the titular role in Othello.
“font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana; color: #070401;”> Othello, described as a “Moor,” is the only character in Shakespeare who begins to fit Shaw’s personal demographics; Shaw is the son of an African American from North Carolina (Will) and a South Korean (Pyong).
“font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana; color: #070401;”> “Acting is a job where you have to discuss race,” Shaw said. “Casting directors openly admit it. They have to discuss the effects of casting a black, Asian or Hispanic person. It’s unfortunate.”
“font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana; color: #070401;”> Though race can limit an actor’s options, Shaw encouraged minority youth who have a passion for the craft to pursue it. “There is so much happening out there, you can find your way,” he said.
“font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana; color: #070401;”> Find your way – or make your way.
“font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana; color: #070401;”> “If nothing out there represents your voice, then make it it,” he said. “People will come; people will listen.”
“font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana; color: #070401;”> Even his parents are starting to listen, as their young son pursues this risky career path.
“font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana; color: #070401;”> “My mom sometimes says, ‘Are you sure?’” he said with a laugh.
“font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana; color: #070401;”> Mom, he’s sure.
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“font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family:”> The Shakespeare Festival is free and plays opposite the Art Museum in Forest Park nightly at 8 p.m. May 25-June 19 (excluding Tuesdays). For more information, please visit
“http://www.shakespearefestivalstlouis.org/”>
“text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;”>www.shakespearefestivalstlouis.org or call 314-531-9800.
