1. MATTHEW S. ROBINSON
62 Brookline Street, Needham, MA 02492
617 877 6264 / matthewsrobinson@mac.com
The following piece appeared as part of a column in a variety of luxury and lifestyle
publications:
Matt Robinson’s Curtain Call
Actors’ Shakespeare Project
www.actorsshakespeareproject.org
Date Founded: 2003
Artistic Director: Benjamin Evett
Tickets: 617 547 1982 / info@actorsshakespeareproject.org
“All the world’s a stage.”
So said Bill Shakspeare (original spelling) almost 400 years ago and, apparently, it still
holds true, especially when the works of the Bard of Avon are put into the hands (and
mouths) of the Ben of Boston and his talented troupe.
Benjamin Evett started Actors’ Shakespeare Project as a means of exploring and
enhancing the contemporary relevance of Shakespeare’s texts and of bringing the
stories to the people and vice versa.
As ASP purposely has no permanent home, the company finds and creates
performance spaces throughout Greater Boston that enhance and often participate in
the story, allowing audiences (many of whom may never have been exposed to the
texts or even to theater before) to see new sides of these eternal stories and to
participate in them. In recent years, the Project has presented “The Winter’s Tale”
(which centers on a trial) in what was once a courtroom, “Richard III” in the politically-
charged Old South Meeting House, and the infernal story of “Titus Andronicus” in a
dark, claustrophobic basement. Last season’s performance of “Hamlet” offered the
audience the opportunity to sit on the stage with the actors and to look out at the
decorative orchestra and balconies of Boston’s historic Strand Theatre which was used
to full effect by the clever and creative Project team. And their recent production of “King
Lear” went all the way to New York!
By keeping their productions simple and intimate, ASP is able to allow the beauty and
truths of Shakespeare’s language to come through. Though the temporal and physical
settings of the productions may vary, each is handled thoughtfully and appropriately in
ways that engage and connect to the audience.
Another way in which the Project reaches out to the community is through its award-
winning educational programming. Working with schools and after-school programs and
also with incarcerated, homeless, and indigent populations throughout the region, ASP
brings not only the words of the Bard but also the life lessons that can be gleaned from

2. his stories and from the craft of theater itself. In 2005, ASP combined forces with
Discovering Justice to create stripped-down theatrical presentations set in courtrooms
that deal with the ideas and ideals of ethics, duty, and personal responsibility.
As befits its title, the Actors’ Shakespeare Project features a rotating collection of some
of the area’s best and most highly-acclaimed actors; performers who have had a good
deal of experience with the works and who each bring their own insight and expertise to
every well-considered line. This level of familiarity with the texts allow the talented
members of the company to “speak the speech…trippingly on the tongue” without
getting caught up in too much iambicization. It also allows them to offer productions that
few other companies do - such as last seasons’ “Titus” or the forthcoming production of
“King John” – or to present new takes on more established plays, like an all-female
rendition of “The Scottish Play.”
So for Shakespeare As You Like It (or any of his other plays), check out Actors’
Shakespeare Project.
Upcoming performances:
10/18/07 – 11/11/07 – “Macbeth” (featuring an all-female cast)
1/10/08 – 2/3/08 – “Henry V” (performed by five actors)
3/13/08 – 4/13/08 – “The Tempest”
5/15/8 – 6/15/8 – “King John”