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Southerners and Shakespeare dont always get along. People are confused by the language and driven away. I personally think that the south has a lot of stories that would make Shakespeare laugh and cry. Some of our stories are just repeats of stories that he once wrote. Someone I know who is a lot smarter than I once said that Shakespeare is always about sex. Especially when it’s a play with multiple pairs of would-be lovers chasing each other through the forest in the springtime. Southern enough for you yet? Now I don’t happen to think that detracts from the artistry or power of the play at all because it is absolutely universal and unequaled when it comes to creating comedic situations of life-threatening urgency. Right now I am working with a director who has said that she wanted people to fall in love when they come to the show. She wanted them to get swept up in the spring fever of life and love and joy and to feel that vitality and wonder too. Talk about the kind of mission statement that will put a big-old smile on your face. I feel like centuries of people have been falling in love out there so far, audiences and performers alike. It’s like we all are taking a chance and letting our guards down for a while, risking ridicule and embarrassment, to revel in the Mississippi spring air.

Shakespeare had a firm grasp of irony and the put-down to say the least, but there’s a level of honesty and openness to Shakespeare’s characters that is intimidating but invigorating. They aren’t holding back. They are all in. And that means that’s what we all have to do, go all in. When we’re in that space there’s no room for half-hearted. We have a chance to soar and rage and seek, why would we settle for less? Why settle for mediocrity when the standards are so high. Why not throw caution to the wind and enjoy the beauty of Shakespeare.