Jackie is an acclaimed Artistic Director of a Shakespeare Theater. She arrives for rehearsal and something is wrong. She holds a terrible secret. An astonishing and transformative story - 'Lear's Shadow' presents a modern day tale in a Los Angeles theatre rehearsal space The story also uses uses the soaring rhetoric of Shakespeare's 'King Lear' to weave a unique spell. This award winning story has been made into a feature film and demonstrates in a raw and intimate way the healing power of theatre.
About the author - Brian Elderling -
Born and raised in Altadena, California. Co-founder and Artistic Director of the Ensemble Shakespeare Theater in Pasadena. Attended The George Washington University on a Presidential Arts Scholarship for Theater. Was and still is highly active in advocating for human and civil rights; worked at a sweatshop-busting non-profit in college in D.C. before booking a national tour of Shakespeare's As You Like It and then moving to Los Angeles.
Brian writes us - "I hope you have lots of fun with Lear's Shadow, that your characters' love and care for one another sets your audience's hearts on fire, and I encourage you all to make it your own. Jack, Stephen, Rachel, and Janine are yours now.....I wish you and your cast many broken legs"
An interview with Brian - Click below
PROMOTIONAL VIDEO FROM 2019 PRODUCTION
Show Dates
Now Playing at the IndyFringe Basile Theatre
719 E St Clair St, Indianapolis, IN 46202
Friday Aug 20th @ 7:30pm
Sunday Aug 22nd @ 4:30pm
Saturday Aug 28th @ 7:30pm
Sunday Aug 29th @ 9pm
Thursday Sept 2nd @ 7:30pm
Saturday Sept 4th @ 9pm
Tickets @ indyfringe.org
Meet the Cast
Nan Macy - Jackie Nan Macy lives in Columbus, IN with her wonderful family. She has worked in regional theatre for many years both as an actress and an administrator. Nan has played Shakespearean roles such as Lady Macbeth in “Macbeth”, Claudius in “Hamlet”, and Volumnia in “Coriolanus”. Other favorite roles include: a suspicious and hard-nosed nun in “Doubt”, an aging movie star in “Vanya and Sonja and Masha and Spike”, a daffy divorcee in “The Women”, a bitter Grandmother in “Lost in Yonkers” and Super Diva, Maria Callas in “Master Class”. Nan loves dancing of every kind and is a dedicated ballroom dancer. She attends regional and national dance competitions where she gets to wear beautiful dresses loaded with rhinestones. Nan is very excited to become a part of the Bard Fest Production Team. It is a great honor to work with such dedicated and passionate artists.
Matt Hartzburg - Stephen Matt is thrilled and humbled to return to the IndyFringe Festival with Bard Fest’s Lear’s Shadow. He most recently appeared with Bard Fest in the 2020 hit ensemble touring production of William Shakespeare’s Long Lost First Play (Abridged). Other recent appearances on stage include A Few Good Men, The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, and Much Ado About Nothing. Matt has been active in community theatre for more than three years and owes his career to the 2017 IndyFringe Festival, where he appeared in Dee Timi’s Ready Freddy. Matt resides in Indianapolis and works in information technology. He thanks director Glenn Dobbs for including him in this powerhouse cast, and his friends, girlfriend and family for their unwavering support both on and off the stage
Afton Shepard - Rachel Afton is thrilled to be back on the IndyFringe stage with this family of talented (vaccinated!) performers. She is delighted to work as an actress and model in many various theatre and film productions. Favorite past theatre roles include A Chorus Line (Val), The Drowsy Chaperone (Janet), Doubt: A Parable (Sister James), and Inherit the Wind (Rachel Brown) – to name a few! Notably, she has appeared on stage with Bard Fest in Henry IV Part I (Lady Percy), and Plaza Suite. She will next be appearing in Indy Bard Fest 2021 in Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (Honey), Antony and Cleopatra (Cleopatra), and Elizabeth Rex (Countess Henslowe). She is a proud mother and wife. Thank you for supporting local theatre! @shepardafton
Production Staff
Mr Matters has joined the team as our new Technical Director for all productions. He is well known in the theater scene here in Indianpolis . His talent is sought after by many artists and we are thrilled to have him join our team.
He writes, "I’ve “worked extensively in the Indiana theater community, and I’m excited to be joining Bardfest on this new adventure.”
Glenn L. Dobbs - Director Glenn serves as Executive Producer and the Artistic Director of Bard Fest. Glenn founded Bard Fest several years ago. His previous theatrical credits include Henry V, Hamlet, Richard III, Much Ado About Nothing, Romeo and Juliet, As You Like it, Twelfth Night, Macbeth, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, The Elephant Man, The Shadow Box, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Into the Woods, Proof, The Sound of Music, Medea, The Complete Works of William Shakespeare - Abridged, and many others. He wants to thank Andy, Mel, Susan, Linda, Jennifer, Fred, Paul, and many others who have been with him from the beginning. And especially his long suffering "Trophy Wife" Colleen who has endured this 'hobby' of his for so long.
Director's Notes
This show was a happy accident and stroke of good fortune. We are so lucky for the opportunity to be the regional premiere of this very special work by Mr. Brian Eldering. An astonishing and transformative story - 'Lear's Shadow' presents a modern day tale in a Los Angeles theatre rehearsal space . The story also uses uses the soaring rhetoric of Shakespeare's 'King Lear' to weave a unique spell. This award winning story has been made into a feature film and demonstrates in a raw and intimate way the healing power of theatre.
These three amazing actors have been a joy to work with as they strived to develop these fascinating characters. They have worked very hard with what was often difficult material. 'Lear's Shadow' is not an easy show to perform. Yet these amazing people makes it look effortless.
I hope you appreciate them as much as I do.