Wichita Shakespeare Company Presents King John

August 16, 2014

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

“King John”

Presented by the Wichita Shakespeare Company

The Wichita Shakespeare Company (WSC) closes its 2014 Shakespeare-in-the-Park series with “King John.”  The first History play produced by WSC, the play details the life and death of the famed English monarch, King John. The story examines themes of loyalty; whether that is loyalty to family, loyalty to the church, or loyalty to king and country.  It also explores questions of honor, pride, and inheritance as many power hungry individuals strive for a stake to the English throne.

The play is directed by veteran WSC director Dan Schuster.  Previous WSC directing credits include “Cymbeline,” “Troilus and Cressida,” “Coriolanus,” “Pericles,” “Measure for Measure,” “Two Noble Kinsmen,” “Love’s Labours Lost,” and “The Winter’s Tale.” The impressive cast assembled for this production includes Nathan Ryan as King John, Elizabeth Anderson as Constance, and Vonda Schuster as The Bastard.  Others in the cast include Gaye Tibbets, Cat Connolly, Dalton Nelson, Heather Miller, Larry Belew, Noah Segard, Jedediah Riley, Jewell Martinez, Michael Criss, Jessica Gaddis, Ed Belsan, Jared Wise, and Zoe Burke.

Shakespeare-in-the-Park will return to the very popular Central Riverside, Buffalo, and College Hill parks in Wichita.  Parks in Andover, Park City, Derby, and Haysville will complete the tour.  All shows will begin at 7:00 pm, with an approximate running time of two hours.  As always, the play is performed free to all audiences but donations are accepted and appreciated.  Those attending are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, blankets and, of course, bug spray.

In the event of inclement weather, there will be a message posted at 6 pm on the WSC line (316-655-2017) alerting if the show has been cancelled for that evening.

Exact park locations and dates are as follows:

Sept 5th  …Central Riverside Park, Wichita
Sept 6th …Riggs Park, Haysville
Sept 7th …College Hill Park, Wichita

Sept 12th …Andover Sports Park, Andover
Sept 13th …Hand Park, Derby
Sept 14th … Buffalo Park, Wichita

Sept 19th…Central Riverside Park, Wichita
Sept 20th …Hap McLean Park, Park City
Sept 21st …College Hill Park, Wichita

For additional information regarding this show or press release, contact Dan Schuster at (316) 655-2017 or via email at gurgi4@cox.net. Additionally, check out our website at www.wichitashakespearecompany.org or find and “like” us on www.facebook.com.

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Auditions for King John

Auditions for the Wichita Shakespeare Company’s September production of “King John” will be held Saturday July 12th from 2 to 5 pm and Sunday July 13th from 7 to 9 pm. Auditions will be at University Friends Church, 1840 W University Ave in Wichita.

Readings from the edited script will be provided. Roles are available for 12-15 actors aged 18 and up. There are three speaking female roles and 10 plus male speaking roles. Important note – Roles will for the most part be cast with disregard for gender of the actor, so everyone is encouraged to come out and read! If you have any further questions, please contact director Dan Schuster on Facebook, by email at gurgi4@cox.net, or phone at 316-655-2017.

The breakdown of roles is as follows:

-King John
-Eleanor
-The Bastard
-Blanche
-Lewis
-Constance
-Cardinal Pandulph
-Hubert
-Pembroke
-Salisbury
-Arthur/Prince Henry
-Phillip/Peter of Pomfret
-Robert Falconbridge/Citizen of Angiers/Executioner (non-speaking)
-Chatillon/Executioner (speaking)
-Austria/English Messenger/Executioner (non-speaking)