The Olde School Shakespeare Collective of Chicago Announces its Upcoming “The Taming of the Shrew” Production

The Chicago-based Olde School Shakespeare Collective announces that tickets are on sale now for this reimagined presentation of The Taming of the Shrew, taking place at 7:30PM on August 23, September 3 and September 13 and 10:00PM on August 31 and September 27 at My Buddy’s, 4416 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60640.

The cast includes Emma Anderson as Biondello, Crystal Claros as Hortensio, Gwyneth Clare as Grumio, Victoria Angelina Cruz Baptista Minola, Jack Disselhorst as Kate, Olivia Evans as Bianca, Scout Gregory as Tranio, Sophie Murk as Lucentia, Fiona Ross as Gemia, Becca Rowland as Petruchio, and Wyatt McCall, Hayley Procacci and Jen Sinnen as Ensemble.

The show is curated by OSSC Artistic Producer of New Projects Hayley Procacci, who, as a part of the company’s mission, is also part of the acting ensemble.

“What would it be like to reimagine The Taming of the Shrew in which every behavior and self expression Kate has been shamed for, is actually her ticket to her own becoming?” asks Procacci. “What is it like to meet someone who can see you, and like it? Desire it? Kate’s world expands when everything she has been hated for becomes a window into her newfound sexual identity.”

Through The Olde School Shakespeare’s aesthetic of serious actors and improvisers meeting memorized with only 12 hours of rehearsal, is interwoven with Shakespeare’s words for a night of raucous bar Shakespeare, presenting The Taming of the Shrew.

About the Show
An unusual match is made in heaven for Katherine Minola, as her mother seeks a partner to compliment her shrewd behavior. When Hortensio, one of three potential suitors for Kate’s sister, introduces Petruchio to the biggest brat Padua has ever known, he makes efforts to woo her and tame her to meet both of their desires. Through satire and a stylized world, Kate and Petruchio shed truth, finding authenticity through sexual identity and expression that previously left them misunderstood. Through a parody-styled satirical approach, The Olde School Shakespeare Collective reimagines The Taming of the Shrew with a cast of thirteen.

About the Collective of The Taming of the Shrew
Emma Anderson (she/her) (BIONDELLO) is a multi-hyphenate actor, playwright, monstrosity, and collective member with Olde School Shakes. She’s been seen in productions and readings at Chicago Dramatists, 16th Street Theater (rip), Dragonfly Theatre Company, and Theatre L’Acadie. She loves a good chicken parm.

Crystal Claros (they/he/she) (HORTENSIO) is so excited to perform in a Shakespeare play for the first time! Some of their notable credits include Tick, Tick…Boom! (BoHo), Shrek: The Musical (Music Theatre Works), Junie B Jones (YPTCHI), Elephant & Piggy, as well as James and The Giant Peach (Marriott), Hedwig (Haven), and various readings, workshops, and cabarets around The Windy CityTM. In their free time, Crystal enjoys weightlifting, collecting retro video games, and hanging out with Luna, their emotional support cat.

Gwyneth Clare (she/her) (GRUMIO) is excited to be back with Olde School Shakes for The Taming of the Shrew. She was last seen in Olde School’s Measure for Measure as Mistress Overdone, and The Contemporary Theatre of Ohio’s production of The Wolves as #00. When not onstage, Gwyn can be found reading books or playing tennis. Follow her on Instagram @gwynethclare.

Victoria Angelina Cruz (she/her) (BAPTISTA MINOLA) is a new Chicago transplant from Birmingham, Alabama, originally. She loves her job. Currently understudying a new role that she is so excited to announce soon! Overjoyed to be working on Shakespeare with such a dope-ass wonderful company.

Jack Disselhorst (he/they) (KATE/LORD) is an actor, teaching artist, and student social worker. Previous OSSC credits include Twelfth Night (Malvolio) and Measure for Measure (Pompey). Regional credits include Bertha von Nation 2.0 (The New Colony), Isaac’s Eye (Redtwist Theatre). Upcoming projects include They Broke Up (Avalanche Theatre, new play development). Jack teaches Meisner technique at Green Shirt Studio and ensemble adaption at Piven Theatre Workshop. He holds a BFA in Acting from The Theatre School at DePaul University and is pursuing a Master of Social Work from Loyola University Chicago.

Olivia Evans (she/they) (BIANCA) is a Chicago based actor, improviser and writer. She can be found frequently at iO performing with her team Lil’ Sluggers. Olivia is proudly represented by Grossman and Jack.

Scout Gregory (she/they) (TRANIO) is a Chicago-based actor, costume designer, and artist lucky enough to be working in the arts full-time. A proud alumnus of the University of Notre Dame, they currently work full time at Blue Man Group Chicago as a Wardrobe & Makeup crew, and in their spare time, work on smaller costume crafts projects elsewhere. They have done shows with Lookingglass Theatre Company and the Goodman as wardrobe crew and at Steppenwolf as a Stitcher and Costume Design Assistant. They are thrilled to have a chance to perform again and make art with this fantastic group of people.

Wyatt McCall (he/him) (ENSEMBLE) is an actor, director, writer, and chef from Chicago. He co-founded The Olde School Shakespeare Collective with a few family members and some friends from college with the intent of creating accessible theatre for working-class people. Wyatt previously captained Olde School’s production of Twelfth Night and starred as Sir Toby Belch. Additional credits include Hamlet and Much Ado About Nothing at The Heart of America Shakespeare Festival, Wonderland: Alice’s Rock and Roll Adventure at Metro Theatre Company, A Christmas Carol at Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre, Ring of Fire: The Johnny Cash musical and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at Maples Repertory Theatre and Peter Pan at Theatre in the Park in Kansas City.

Sophie Murk (she/her) (LUCENTIA) holds a BFA from Webster Conservatory. Sophie is a local actor and teaching artist. She recently left her work in ministry as director of an overnight camp to embrace a career path that is more inclusive of the queer community. She is a certified ASTEP fellow and certified in Brené Brown’s Dare to LeadTM work. Recent credits: Junie B. Jones, The Musical (Young People’s Theatre of Chicago), Titanic, As You Like It, Christmas Carol (Milwaukee Repertory Theater), Daddy Long Legs (Awaken Theatre), The Hundred Dresses, Say Something Do Something (Metro Theater Co), The Polar Express (Rail Events Productions).

Hayley Procacci (they/she) (CURATOR & ENSEMBLE) is a director, producer, and playwright. Originally from Orlando, Hayley has worked professionally in New York and Chicago for the last six years. Recent direct credits include Man and Moon (CHICAGO, 16th Street Theatre) A Sign of The Times (NYC, LDK Productions), Games (NYC, SoHo Playhouse), The Taming of the Shrew (The Olde School Shakespeare Collective) Better Angels (NYC, SoHo Playhouse), My Uncle Sam (CHICAGO, Theater Unspeakable), Angels In America: Millennium Approaches, Silent Sky, Gruesome Playground Injuries, and Fool For Love (The University of Alabama at Birmingham). Hayley is also an adjunct professor at The Theatre School at DePaul, where they recently directed Games at the undergraduate level. Hayley currently serves as the Artistic Producer of New Projects at The Olde School Shakespeare Collective. hayleyprocacci.com

Fiona Ross (she/her) (GREMIA) is delighted to make her OSSC debut! Born and raised in California, she is a Chicago-based theatre artist and philanthropy professional. Fiona graduated with a BFA in Acting and a BS in English Literature from Missouri State University in 2023. Favorite credits include Men on Boats (Missouri State), Sense & Sensibility (Springfield Contemporary), and I Ought to be in Pictures (Sacramento Theatre Company). Offstage, you can find her reading, wrangling her cat, and drinking a chai latte. fionaross.me

Becca Rowland (they/she) (PETRUCHIO) is a multi-disciplinary theater artist and proud ensemble member at Olde School Shakes. They especially love devising new works and queering the classics, and they believe that art at its best is non-hierarchical, curious, and highly opinionated. Other Chicago theater collaborations have included PrideArts, Strawdog Theater Co., and Chicago Dramatists. Becca is a founding member of Sandbox Theater Collective here in Chicago and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Drama from the University of California, Irvine.

Jen Sinnen (she/her) (ENSEMBLE) is a theatre educator and artist who has been calling Chicago home for the past three years. Jen is stoked to be back with OSSC with this latest production of The Taming of the Shrew. Jen loves to play with her two cats, try different types of sandwiches, and cry.

About The Olde School Shakespeare Collective

The Olde School Shakespeare Collective is a community-driven ensemble that immerses audiences in the world of Shakespeare. Our approach is refreshingly unconventional – we’re actors, directors, and artists who come together to craft theater experiences for the working class. We proudly take the reins of our own productions, rehearsing only once before transforming a local public house into our stage. Here, our community members can enjoy a drink, engage with us in raucous fun, and depart with a newfound perspective on theater’s possibilities.

Within our non-hierarchical framework, those actively involved in the creative process take center stage. We’re akin to mad scientists, experimenting with age-old theatrical techniques to craft contemporary responses. At the heart of our mission is the belief that Shakespeare should be accessible and enjoyable for all, regardless of background or experience. Join us for an evening that promises to transport you to another era while redefining the very essence of theater.

To purchase tickets, visit: https://www.theoldeschoolshakes.com/upcoming-shows

Main image: The cast of OSSC "The Taming of the Shrew". Photo is courtesy of  The Olde School Shakespeare Collective.