THE REST IS FILLER
Source: New York Public Library
SUMMER 2016
In honor of the 400th anniversary of William Shakespeare's death we are proud to present The Rest Is Filler, our nod to Shakespeare's greatest tragedy, Hamlet.
Starting Saturday, July 9th we will post each of Hamlet's soliloquies, in order, each performed by a different actor, with the final one being available for viewing on Saturday, August 20th.
Click here to view film.
If you enjoy what you see, keep coming back, every Saturday, all summer. Tell us what you think at: Trembling Stage's facebook.
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AARON BARTZ was most recently seen on stage in The Comedy of Errors (OnStage Critics Award for Outstanding Actor in a Play), and the regional premiere of Red Velvet (Shakespeare&Company). Other Regional: Yale Rep, Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, Texas Shakespeare Festival, Montana Rep, Trembling Stage, and others. TV: "The Good Wife." Aaron holds an MFA from Yale School of Drama. aaronkbartz.com
Soliloquy: "How all occasions do inform against me..."
"I chose Hamlet's seventh soliloquy because, just as Hamlet does when he hears of Fortinbras and his soldiers, I constantly compare myself to other people to determine my own success, or worth, or whatever. And while this habit can have a certain power to motivate, or help put things in perspective, it isn't necessarily a very healthy or accurate way to determine anything."
MARIA GIARRIZZO-BARTZ is an NYC based actor and theatre educator. Favorite credits include American Midget (Trembling Stage), Big Love (UM Masquer Theatre), Anton in Show Business (Montana Rep), and others. Film: Equilibria, Dream Lover, Adam Funn. BFA Acting: University of Montana, M. Ed Arts in Education: Harvard.
Soliloquy: "Tis now the very witching time of night..."
"I like this soliloquy because it comes at a time when things are actually going well for Hamlet- the "Mouse Trap" has just been a success, he now maybe knows the ghost he saw was his father and not some devil...- and Hamlet now turns attention to his mother, to get her to confess her guilt. And he loves his mother, but he has to be cruel to her in order to illicit her admission. "My tongue and soul in this be hypocrites" It's such a great setup for their scene! And Hamlet is about to find that being a man of action can have some serious, unforeseen-behind-the-arras consequences."
MARISA GOLD is a Boston-based actress currently working with Commonwealth Shakeaspeare Company in their production of Love’s Labours Lost. Past credits with Commonwealth Shakespeare include the title role in the apprentice showcase production of Macbeth, Snug/Cobweb in their CSC2 company’s A Midsummer Night, and as an ensemble understudy in King Lear. Other Boston credits include Corrie in Barefoot in the Park (Moonbox Productions), Cecily in The Importance of Being Earnest (Newton Theatre Co.), Hermia in Midsummer with Sh*t-faced Shakespeare and Helen in New Century Theatre Company’s production of Laughter on the 23rd Floor, and various characters in their live radio play Life in the 413. BA from Hampshire College.
Soliloquy: "O all you host of heaven!"
"I chose this piece because I am fascinated and excited by the sudden collision of shock, rage, grief, loss, hate, nostalgia, love and loyalty that Hamlet experiences after seeing his late father’s ghost."
HENRY MCDANIEL is an actor and teacher from Memphis, TN. He currently teaches Voice and Acting for the Helmerich School of Drama at the University of Oklahoma. Henry has been seen at regional theatres across the United States, most recently he played the luckiest man in the world in Sequence by Arun Lakra at Bloomington Playwright’s Project and at the Ferrara Theatre in Upside Down as Iraceus. This fall he will perform as the Friar in Oklahoma’s Shakespeare in the Park production of Romeo and Juliet.
Soliloquy: "O, that this too too solid flesh..."
"For an actor many times the play’s life and consequently your paycheck is about action taken in the face of conflict and with this monologue we learn the origin of this Hamlet’s conflict. Hamlet’s pain, bitterness, anger, and self-pity are evident in this very raw lamentation of his mother’s action, and because of the newness he hasn’t had time come to grips with anything yet. He can’t even get some of the words out he’s so upset. As an actor it’s wonderful to get to see the madness behind his method."
NOAH TULEJA was most recently seen on stage in Out of Sterno at the Gloucester Stage Company. Other credits include: Theatre Royal Plymouth (UK), Bread and Puppet,Trinity Repertory Company, Commonwealth Shakespeare Company, Actors’ Shakespeare Project, and New Century Theatre. Some of his favorite roles include Scinius in CORIOLANUS, Slim in COWBOY MOUTH, and Marlin in PUSHCARTS. He is currently the Director of Theatre at Mount Holyoke College, as well as Co-Founder and Artistic Director at Trembling Stage.
Soliloquy: "O, what a rogue and peasant slave am I!"
"I chose this soliloquy because I enjoy how Hamlet vacillates between commentary on the dramatic process and using those discoveries to push himself into a plan of action. It is also a very human speech, filled with Hamlet’s love for his father, disgust with himself, anger at his uncle, and finally conviction in his next step."
JARED VAN HEEL Off-Broadway: Hamlet (SOS Productions), Awesome '80's Prom (Davenport Theatricals). Other New York: Twelfth Night (MadCap Productions), Devil in the Hole (Walking Taco). Walking With Dinosaurs (International tour) Regional include: Texas Shakespeare Festival, Montana Rep, Trembling Stage, Harlequin Productions, and more. TV/Film: "CSI: Las Vegas," The Karaoke King, Carbon Copy, The Hell of It.
Soliloquy: "To be, or not to be..."
"I chose "To be or not to be" because it's the big one! It's the bit of Shakespeare all native English speakers are likely to know, and it's arguably the most famous line of poetry ever written by a human.
LAAKAN MCHARDY, originally from Montego Bay, Jamaica, is a recent graduate of Mount Holyoke College where she double majored in Theatre Arts and Psychology. At MHC, Laakan has performed as Orsino in Twelfth Night and most recently as the title character of Macbeth, and is happy to be embodying the Prince of Denmark for this series. Currently, Laakan is an Acting Apprentice with Actors Theatre of Louisville's Professional Training Company.
Soliloquy: "Now might I do it pat..."
In this moment we believe we will finally see Hamlet be driven to action, but again, he hesitates to kill Claudius for what would seem good reason: it does not nearly measure up to the cruelty of his father's murder. Hamlet intends to be thorough about his revenge, so killing Claudius in the midst of prayer -- thus, sending him to Heaven -- would be just the opposite. It is also wonderfully frustrating when we learn thereafter that Claudius' prayers are not heartfelt, and his guilt remains, meaning a missed opportunity for Hamlet.