What is a theatrical reading?

What can you expect when you come to one of our theatrical readings?  The first thing you may notice is that the actors are performing book in hand. However, as our audiences have told us many times over the past 18 years, the books become invisible as the play progresses because you are so preoccupied with hearing the story clearly spoken and becoming immersed in it as it is acted by some of the best professional actors in Chicago. 

I often explain to people that have not seen our work before that their experience of the play won’t be less, but more because by placing our energy completely on Shakespeare’s text we allow the play to emerge in an unencumbered setting that reveals new insights into the play's characters and themes.  Many have told us that after seeing a reading from The Shakespeare Project they truly “get” the play for the first time. 

Our performance is completely staged – meaning that actors make entrances and exits and move across the stage as they would in a full production.  You won’t see elaborate sets, props or costumes.  You will hear some music and sound from time to time which is only there to augment your experience and add to your understanding of the play. 

We provide a 360 degree experience of the play.  Our dramaturge will introduce the play to you in a brief prologue to give you some background on the play’s history and point out things to watch and listen for during the performance.  After the reading, we hope you stay for our “talk back” to ask questions and interact with the actors and creative team to further enrich your experience.

We invite you to come and see for yourself.  And, if you like what we do, tell a friend.

Peter Garino
Artistic Director
The Shakespeare Project of Chicago