Austin Tichenor
Whither the Shakespeare purist?
Austin Tichenor of the Reduced Shakespeare Company asks what it means to be a Shakespeare purist and attempts to interpret audience reactions.
Shakespeare book clubs: the pleasures and frustrations of diving into the plays with a group
It’s not unusual to see theaters sponsoring monthly or semi-regular meetings devoted to reading and talking about Shakespeare’s plays.
In the Giving Vein: The Pop-Cultural Legacy of Olivier's Richard III
With a US audience of tens of millions in its TV release at the same time it was released in American theaters, Laurence Olivier’s film “Richard III” (1955) has left a lasting, sometimes hilarious, legacy in pop culture, from Peter…
Thine Own Self
From the question “What are you?” (Countess Olivia) to “Tell my story” (Hamlet), Austin Tichenor looks at finding your identity and telling your story, through a decidedly Shakespearean lens.
Twelfth Night: The Hamlet of the comedies
Austin Tichenor suggests that “Twelfth Night” is the “Hamlet” of the comedies, dealing with loss, separation, and death and using some surprisingly similar elements — but in a far happier way.
This thing of darkness: Caliban and the Creature from Frankenstein
As Mary Shelley’s novel “Frankenstein” marks its 200th anniversary (and with Halloween on its way), Austin Tichenor explores the parallels between the Creature from “Frankenstein” and Caliban from “The Tempest” and their fictional creators: Frankenstein and Prospero–as well as what…
Elizabethan theater etiquette and audience expectations today
Austin Tichenor writes about the theater-going experience in Shakespeare’s time and how that contrasts with audience expectations today.
Discovering Shakespeare’s Long Lost First Play
Austin Tichenor of the Reduced Shakespeare Company writes about the creation of William Shakespeare’s Long Lost First Play (abridged).
Shakespeare's patriotic empathy
Austin Tichenor writes about Shakespeare’s history plays, the political considerations of the day, and patriotic portrayals centuries later.
Questionable parenting: Shakespeare and the father portrayals in his plays
What kind of father was Shakespeare? The fathers he portrays in his plays don’t always come off looking so good, but he also explores parental regret.
Conquering Hero: What to do about 'Much Ado'?
Austin Tichenor explores the character complexities of Hero in Shakespeare’s ‘Much Ado About Nothing’ and how to address her reconciliation with Claudio.
Cruel to be kind: Irreverently celebrating Shakespeare's birthday
Austin Tichenor of the Reduced Shakespeare Company writes about how “impertinent” riffs on Shakespeare’s work do much to celebrate his legacy.