Fairbanks Shakespeare Theatre

Fairbanks Shakespeare Theatre began performing Shakespeare under the midnight sun in 1992 with a performance of Twelfth Night alongside the banks of the Chena River. The company has grown from one summer show to producing a year-round season. It has developed a highly successful education program with in-school residencies, drama camps, and The Groundlings youth troupe. Arts education through performance has always been part of the Fairbanks Shakespeare Theatre's mission to deepen appreciation for Shakespeare in Interior Alaska, particularly among young people, and to encourage and support young people in performing Shakespeare. The cornerstone of their education and outreach program is the Bard-a-thon: a 24-hour-a-day, weeklong reading of the complete works of Shakespeare. Since 2000, this free event has drawn hundreds of people together each year during the cold Alaskan winters to give voice to Shakespeare’s words.

As part of Shakespeare for a New Generation, Fairbanks Shakespeare Theatre will tour King Lear to underserved communities throughout Alaska, particularly to Native students. King Lear will be presented with a heavy influence of Gwich’in culture that resonates in Interior Alaska. Workshops will be taught at participating schools, enabling students to participate in movement and voice exploration, along with text analysis of Shakespeare’s works. In addition to workshops, post-performance talkbacks will be provided at the end of the production, allowing students and actors to discuss the journey that they have taken together.