OCU adjunct professor Hal Kohlman is starring alongside other OCU students and faculty in Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park’s production of King Lear.
The play depicts a king and his three daughters as he tries to decide how to divide his kingdom.
It is one of Shakespeare’s later dramas and has become one of the most powerful dramas in Western literature.
“The thing about Shakespeare is that it is always a challenge for an actor and a director,” Kohlman said.
OCU has been a producing partner of Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park for several years. Stage managers, designers, and actors from OCU will work with the show.
Kohlman, who plays King Lear’s title role, has been a member of Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park since 1998.
He has experience with directing and has also had the opportunity to play multiple characters, including “Shylock” in Merchant of Venice and “Lord Capulet” in Romeo and Juliet.
As an actor and a director, Kohlman is a big Shakespeare fan.
“The thing about being an actor is you don’t have time to look back,” Kohlman said. “You have to concentrate on what you are doing right now and give it your absolute best.”
Because the production is outdoors, there is no backdrop, which allows the set to incorporate views of downtown Oklahoma City.
Michelle Tewksbury, design and production sophomore, is a stage manager for the production and worked with Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park for their summer season.
“It is a great intro into a professional career while still being able to work with OCU,” Tewksbury said. “I enjoy learning the different styles of a professional company.”
The show’s opening night Sept. 12 was rained out.
The show’s last weekend is Sept. 26-28.
Kohlman advises students who want to go to the performance not to put it off just because there may be rain during the weekend.
The show begins at 8 p.m. at the Myriad Botanical Gardens Water Stage, 301 W. Reno Ave.
Parking is limited but can be found on the curb around the gardens.
Student tickets are $10 and can be bought online at oklahomashakespeare.org or at the door.
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