Julius Caesar - Great River Shakespeare Festival

Et tu, Brute?

Stories seem to have a circularity to them in the theatrical consciousness. GRSF produced Julius Caesar summer of 2016 amid other theatres also producing or planning to produce J.C. While I can’t fully explain this phenomena, I do think that the examination of a nation and questioning power are timely and worthwhile topics. Jim Edmonson gave me full liberty on the sound design, and mentioned early on that he was interested in “demented brass.” While the brass ended up not being particularly psychological, it did effectively mirror the brashness, the power, and the regality of Caesar’s position.

The play was set in no particular time, though the costumes gave a nod to mid 20th century wear. I wanted to find something that would tie to ancient Rome, while still having a modern aesthetic to it. I attempted to find percussion elements that sounded organic rather than synthetic. Wind and chimes underscored much of the show. Caesar’s ghost was heralded by the sound of his conspirator’s whispers.

During what we termed the “boardroom” scene, I wanted something spare and tension building under the dialog. Once the knives are passed around, we brought in the syncopated percussion with hand claps. Hands and handshaking played a large part in Julius Caesar, and there was something tactile and brutal about using hands for music in that scene. Once Caesar dies, the music drops out while the conspirators try to construct their next step.

CREDITS

Julius Caesar
by William Shakespeare
Great River Shakespeare Festival
Winona, MN
June 25 - July 30, 2016

Director: Jim Edmonson
Scenic Designer: R. Eric Stone
Lighting Designer: Lonnie Alcaraz
Costume Designer: Rebecca Bernstein
Sound Designer: Matthew Tibbs

Marcus Brutus: John Maltese
Julius Caesar: Zach Curtis
Marc Antony: Jason Rojas
Caius Cassius: Benjamin Boucvalt
Cinna/Octavius: JuCoby Johnson
Casca/Titinius: Peter Eli Johnson
Calpurnia: De'Onna Prince
Portia: Tarah Flanagan
Murrellus/Ligarius: Mark Murphey
Flavius/Cicero/Lepidus: Michael Fitzpatrick
Cobbler/Decius/Messala: Blake Henri
Soothsayer/Pindarus: Ted Kitterman
Metellus/Cinna the Poet: Silas Sellnow
Trebonius: James Queen
Voluminous: Justin Erbe
Darius: Emily Perkins
Caesar's Servant: Raelynn Peter