Shake Shake Shake
By Shake Shake Shake
So much of what an actor brings to a character comes from their personal life experience and background as a human on this planet. This podcast will examine how different (or similar) a character is when brought to life by two incredible actors of diverse backgrounds. In a push for conscious casting in the world of performance art, Shake Shake Shake highlights the unbelievable depth and breadth that can be brought to a character when actors are encouraged to bring their whole selves to the role.
Shake Shake ShakeMar 23, 2021
Interview with Caroline Bicks and Michelle Ephraim
Happy season finale y'all!!
Today we have an unbelievably special episode for you. We were lucky enough to get the chance to interview Caroline Bicks and Michelle Ephraim -- two badasses in the world of Shakespeare and academia. Caroline and Michelle have been dream guests of ours since the podcast began -- we are both massive fans of their book Shakespeare, Not Stirred: Cocktails for Your Everyday Dramas If you don't have a copy already -- then what have you been doing?!? You may even recognize some of the cocktails from our recommended drinks for older episodes.
Caroline Bicks is the Stephen E. King Chair in Literature at the University of Maine. She specializes in Shakespeare, gender studies and the history of science. Her book on the brains of adolescent girls in Shakespeare’s world has just been published. Her first-person essays have been featured in the Modern Love column of the New York Times, on NPR’s “All Things Considered,” and in the show and book Afterbirth: Stories You Won’t Read in a Parenting Magazine. She and Michelle love to write funny pieces for McSweeney’s Internet Tendency where they pretend to be Shakespeare characters doing things like going on craigslist, writing letters to Santa Claus, and cursing you for your humble brag posts about your children.
Michelle Ephraim is Associate Professor of English at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. She's published a lot of academic things on Jews, women (and Jewish women!) in early modern English literature. Her humor and memoir essays have appeared in places like The Washington Post, The Chronicle of Higher Education, Lilith, Tikkun, McSweeney's Internet Tendency, and Cleaver Magazine. She and Caroline Bicks are the co-authors of Shakespeare, Not Stirred: Cocktails for Your Everyday Dramas (Penguin, 2015). Her book-length memoir about family tragedy and her life with Shakespeare is in the works.
You can learn more about what Michelle is up to here: www.michelleephraim.com or find her on Twitter @ProfessorMKE and @EverydayShakes
You can learn more about what Caroline is up to here: https://faculty.umaine.edu/carolinebicks/
Bottom
A podcast about Classics, cocktails, and conscious casting.
We give each of our actors two weeks to prepare a character as if the day of recording is the first table read of a production. Obviously, over the course of a rehearsal process, a character will grow and develop based on a director's vision, the other actors, and discovery in the room. This is just our actor's first take on the character.
In this episode, we will be exploring the character Bottom from A Midsummer Night's Dream with actors Angelica Rowell and Cooper Reynolds. Head to our Instagram @shakepod to see what they're up to!
Interview with Kodi and Alex
*Special Episode Alert*
In case you've been curious about how this podcast started or where Alex and Kodi's love for Shakespeare began. Look no further! We were lucky enough to be interviewed on Chat With Dan of Dano Gaming. You can check out all of the amazing interviews he has with actors from around the world over on his Instagram @dano_zemstagaming
Edmund
A podcast about Classics, cocktails, and conscious casting.
We give each of our actors two weeks to prepare a character as if the day of recording is the first table read of a production. Obviously, over the course of a rehearsal process, a character will grow and develop based on a director's vision, the other actors, and discovery in the room. This is just our actor's first take on the character.
In this episode, we will be exploring the character Edmund from King Lear with actors Dustyn Gulledge and Stephen Hu. Head to our Instagram @shakepod to see what they're up to!
Shakespeare + Sexuality: Mercutio
Today we will be diving into the character of Mercutio and his loaded relationship throughout the play with Romeo with one of our all-time favorite humans -- Will Block.
Will Block is an LA-based classical actor and director. He is the Artistic Director of Method and Madness and is an Associate Artist with the Porters of Hellsgate. Regional creds include The Two Noble Kinsmen (Kingsmen Shakespeare), Master Harold...and the boys, A Christmas Carol, Treasure Island (Sacramento Theatre Co), A Midsummer Night's Dream (LA Phil), and the West Coast Premiere of Ken Ludwig's Murder on the Orient Express (La Mirada).
Links: http://www.thewillblock.com
Isabella
A podcast about Classics, cocktails, and conscious casting.
We give each of our actors two weeks to prepare a character as if the day of recording is the first table read of a production. Obviously, over the course of a rehearsal process, a character will grow and develop based on a director's vision, the other actors, and discovery in the room. This is just our actor's first take on the character.
In this episode, we will be exploring the character Isabella from Measure for Measure with actors Lillie Silva-Muir and Max Lawrence. Head to our Instagram @shakepod to see what they're up to!
Shakespeare + Sexuality: The Antonios
Welcome to our very first episode of Shakespeare + Sexuality! We have been so excited to start diving into this series this season and what a way to kick things off!
In this episode we are joined by guest Charles Pasternak and we are exploring The Antonios from Twelfth Night and Merchant of Venice.
Ophelia
A podcast about Classics, cocktails, and conscious casting.
We give each of our actors two weeks to prepare a character as if the day of recording is the first table read of a production. Obviously, over the course of a rehearsal process, a character will grow and develop based on a director's vision, the other actors, and discovery in the room. This is just our actor's first take on the character.
In this episode, we will be exploring the character Ophelia from Hamlet with actors Blaire Battle and Tiff Hubbard. Head to our Instagram @shakepod to see what they're up to!
Shakespeare + Magic with Marissa Moses
This episode we have the Magical Marissa Moses here to talk to us about mysticism in Shakespeare and the magic that lives within us all. You can follow along with all of her incredible work at http://www.marissamoses.com/
To watch the stunning piece Marissa created inspired by the lovely Juliet please head here: https://vimeo.com/175490751
A podcast about Classics, cocktails, and conscious casting. This season we will be incorporating educational episodes where we will bring in special guests to deep dive into a specific subject within Shakespeare's work.
Regan
Welcome to Season 2!! We are thrilled to be kicking off this season with such a badass episode.
A podcast about Classics, cocktails, and conscious casting.
We give each of our actors two weeks to prepare a character as if the day of recording is the first table read of a production. Obviously, over the course of a rehearsal process, a character will grow and develop based on a director's vision, the other actors, and discovery in the room. This is just our actor's first take on the character.
In this episode, we will be exploring the character Regan from King Lear with actors Hillary Ward and Roberto Lewis. Head to our Instagram @shakepod to see what they're up to!
In The Room Interview
Huzzah!! We were lucky enough to be asked by the folks over at In The Room to be a part of an interview episode. They've got such a great thing going -- if you're an actor or a creative they are overflowing with priceless information to help you get in the room.
We had such an incredible time talking to Matt, and we hope you all enjoy it!
You can follow along with what they are up to over at:
https://www.instagram.com/itr_intheroom/
https://open.spotify.com/show/1cEyCvesDt3GHAhBGdletX?si=dMlqqzQNRSOsu5kiS_50dQ
Brutus
Happy Ides of March! This week we have a special double-feature for you to commemorate this very auspicious Shakespearean day!
The Ides of March is the 74th day of the Roman calendar, and traditionally the day Romans would settle their debts.
THE IDES OF MARCH BEWARE THE IDES OF MARCH
A podcast about Classics, cocktails, and conscious casting.
We give each of our actors two weeks to prepare a character as if the day of recording is the first table read of a production. Obviously, over the course of a rehearsal process, a character will grow and develop based on a director's vision, the other actors, and discovery in the room. This is just our actor's first take on the character.
In this episode, we will be exploring the character Brutus from Julius Caesar with actors Dawn Sam Alden and Autumn McKinney-Brooks.
Cassius
Happy Ides of March! This week we have a special double-feature for you to commemorate this very auspicious Shakespearean day!
The Ides of March is the 74th day of the Roman calendar, and traditionally the day Romans would settle their debts.
THE IDES OF MARCH BEWARE THE IDES OF MARCH
A podcast about Classics, cocktails, and conscious casting.
We give each of our actors two weeks to prepare a character as if the day of recording is the first table read of a production. Obviously, over the course of a rehearsal process, a character will grow and develop based on a director's vision, the other actors, and discovery in the room. This is just our actor's first take on the character.
In this episode, we will be exploring the character Cassius from Julius Caesar with actors Jono Eiland and Nick McDow Musleh.
Puck
A podcast about Classics, cocktails, and conscious casting.
We give each of our actors two weeks to prepare a character as if the day of recording is the first table read of a production. Obviously, over the course of a rehearsal process, a character will grow and develop based on a director's vision, the other actors, and discovery in the room. This is just our actor's first take on the character.
In this episode, we will be exploring the character Puck from A Midsummer Night's Dream with actors Jahel Corban Caldera and Brandon Doyle.
Cleopatra
A podcast about Classics, cocktails, and conscious casting.
We give each of our actors two weeks to prepare a character as if the day of recording is the first table read of a production. Obviously, over the course of a rehearsal process, a character will grow and develop based on a director's vision, the other actors, and discovery in the room. This is just our actor's first take on the character.
In this episode, we will be exploring the character Cleopatra from Antony + Cleopatra with actors Tiegan Byrne and Ava Lalezarzadeh.
The Nurse
A podcast about Classics, cocktails, and conscious casting.
We give each of our actors two weeks to prepare a character as if the day of recording is the first table read of a production. Obviously, over the course of a rehearsal process, a character will grow and develop based on a director's vision, the other actors, and discovery in the room. This is just our actor's first take on the character.
In this episode, we will be exploring the Nurse from Romeo and Juliet with actors Teri Gamble and Jenny Soo.
Shakespeare + Sexuality Teaser
Announcement! We will soon be launching a series of mini-episodes called Shakespeare + Sexuality where Alex and Kodi (along with an invited guest) will deep dive into a character and their sexuality throughout the show.
Lady M
I made a mistaaaaaaaake. The line is "be innocent of the knowledge," NOT "be ignorant of the knowledge." Psh. Sorry.
A podcast about Classics, cocktails, and conscious casting.
We give each of our actors two weeks to prepare a character as if the day of recording is the first table read of a production. Obviously, over the course of a rehearsal process, a character will grow and develop based on a director's vision, the other actors, and discovery in the room. This is just our actor's first take on the character.
In this episode, we will be exploring the character Lady Macbeth from Macbeth with actors Sid Noelle and Vel Stacy.
Richard II
A podcast about Classics, cocktails, and conscious casting.
We give each of our actors two weeks to prepare a character as if the day of recording is the first table read of a production. Obviously, over the course of a rehearsal process, a character will grow and develop based on a director's vision, the other actors, and discovery in the room. This is just our actor's first take on the character.
In this episode, we will be exploring the character Richard II from Richard II with actors Michael Nehring and Tess Lina.
Helena
A podcast about Classics, cocktails, and conscious casting.
We give each of our actors two weeks to prepare a character as if the day of recording is the first table read of a production. Obviously, over the course of a rehearsal process, a character will grow and develop based on a director's vision, the other actors, and discovery in the room. This is just our actor's first take on the character.
In this episode, we will be exploring the character Helena from A Midsummer Night's Dream with actors Cindy Nguyen and Michael Solomon.
Juliet
A podcast about Classics, cocktails, and conscious casting.
We give each of our actors two weeks to prepare a character as if the day of recording is the first table read of a production. Obviously, over the course of a rehearsal process, a character will grow and develop based on a director's vision, the other actors, and discovery in the room. This is just our actor's first take on the character.
In this episode, we will be exploring the character Juliet from Romeo and Juliet with actors Alejandro Cervantes and Daniel Kim.
Iago
Shake Shake Shake is a podcast about Classics, cocktails, and conscious casting.
We give each of our actors two weeks to prepare a character as if the day of recording is the first table read of a production. Obviously, over the course of a rehearsal process, a character will grow and develop based on a director's vision, the other actors, and discovery in the room. This is just our actor's first take on the character.
In this episode, we will be exploring the character Iago from Othello with actors Eric Myrick and Mikey Mulhearn.
You can find all of our cocktail recipes, Shakespearean resources, and information about our actors over on the Shake Shake Shake website or Instagram @shakepod