Fulbright College Students, Faculty Featured in TheatreSquared's Production of 'Hamlet'

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Grant Goodman stars in TheatreSquared's "Hamlet," on stage April 10-May 4 (Photo by Beth Hall)

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – On April 10, TheatreSquared will launch its first mainstage Shakespeare production with the playwright's signature drama, Hamlet, starring Grant Goodman. The production is helmed by director Sean Patrick Reilly and features a professional cast including Amy Herzberg, professor of drama at the University of Arkansas and TheatreSquared associate artistic director.

In addition to Herzberg, other faculty, students and alumni of the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences are also involved with the production. The cast includes students James Odom and James Shipman and alumni John T. Smith and Bryce Kemph. The play also features scenic design by Michael Riha, chair of the department of drama, and lighting design by Shawn Irish, assistant professor and head of lighting design. Students Jacquelyn Cox, Erin Hunter, Nick Savin and Jesus Rivera served as assistant designers and crew members through their work with the Fulbright College and TheatreSquared internship partnership. 

As Hamlet begins, the king has been poisoned by his own brother, who now claims the throne and queen. Visited by his father's ghost, Prince Hamlet learns of his uncle's treachery — and vows revenge.

"Maybe you've heard of this one," said Robert Ford, TheatreSquared artistic director and visiting assistant professor of drama. "At TheatreSquared, we love great plays — and every one of them is measured against Hamlet. Shakespeare's powerful drama mixes murder, gallows humor, intrigue, romance and revenge with the most extraordinary language ever written. In the 175-seat Studio Theatre, we're bringing Northwest Arkansas this epic story at its most intimate."

Hamlet sponsors Susan and Orville Hall have dedicated their sponsorship in honor of Leo Van Scyoc, former University Professor of English. He spent 50 years at the University of Arkansas as a teacher, mentor, advisor, departmental administrator and mimeograph repairman. His delight in language and literature was often described as “infectious.” English majors, as well as students from other departments lined up to take his classes in Shakespeare and American literature of the late 19th and early 20th century.

TheatreSquared's original production is on stage from Thursday, April 10, until Sunday, May 4, at Walton Arts Center's Nadine Baum Studios in Fayetteville (505 W. Spring Street). Performances are scheduled Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., Fridays at 7:30 p.m., Saturdays at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tickets range from $15 to $36. A limited number of $10 tickets are also available for patrons under the age of 30 through the theatre’s “30 Under 30” program. They are available through the Walton Arts Center Box Office by calling 479.443.5600 or online.

The performance will run two hours and twenty minutes with one intermission and is recommended for ages 10 and up. TheatreSquared’s locally produced and nationally acclaimed productions reach 24,000 patrons each year. The company is Northwest Arkansas’ only year-round professional theatre, offering a unique audience experience in its intimate 175-seat theatre at Walton Arts Center’s Nadine Baum Studios. In 2011, TheatreSquared was recognized by the American Theatre Wing, founder of the Tony Awards, as one of the nation’s 10 most promising emerging theatres.