|
The
Aquila Theater Company is a company of British and American artists dedicated to
classical drama. Founded in London in 1991 by Peter Meineck, Aquila is now based
in New York City. Combining the techniques of British and American theater and
following a philosophy of theatrical utilitarianism, Aquila believes that “the
greatest works should be seen by the greatest number.” With precision and unity
of ensemble, Aquila articulates the human essence inherent in classical drama.
 Aquila is the
foremost producer of touring classical theatre in the United States, visiting
60-70 American cities per year. Previous Aquila tour consist of: Shakespeare’s
Julius Cesar and Joseph Heller’s stage adaptation of his novel Catch-22. Aquila
is also a major part of New York's theatrical landscape, producing a regular
season of plays. Their recent New York seasons have included Prometheus Bound
and a staged reading of Homer’s Iliad at Classic Stage Company.
In
addition to their American tours, Aquila has presented work internationally at
Shakespeare Festivals in Neuss, Germany; Gyula, Hungary; and Gdansk, Poland in
addition to the Festival of the Agean in Syros, Greece and the Edinburgh
Festival Fringe in Edinburgh, Scotland.
COLLABORATIONS: Aquila partners with major American theaters in the presentation
of its work, and collaborates with notable artists from other disciplines
including dance, music, and opera. In recent seasons, Aquila collaborated with
choreographer Doug Varone on its New York production of The Invisible Man, with
MidAmerica Productions on Cherubini’s opera MEDEE at Carnegie Hall and performed
Much Ado About Nothing at the White House.
BACK
TO TOP
Touring Programs
2009-2010
As You Like It
By William
Shakespeare
"All the world's a stage…"
in As You Like It, one of Shakespeare's greatest comedies.
Join Aquila Theatre in the Forest of Arden where love comes in all shapes,
sizes, and disguises.
Set in a period of
revolution in France when love conquered all, As You Like It
tells the story of power hungry men exiling their brothers, girls
playing guys, and finding love in unexpected places. Frederick exiles his
brother, Duke Senior so he can reign over a French Duchy. Simultaneously,
Orlando, who has been forced from his own town by a bloodthirsty brother,
finds himself in the Forest of Arden. Dressed as men, Rosalind and her best
friend and cousin, Celia, run from Frederick's regime and seek shelter in
the forest where they are fated to find the exiled Orlando and Duke Senior.
Shakespeare’s comic brilliance is wrapped in gender-confused, unrequited
love.
Aquila infuses As You
Like It with their unique blend of fun and entertaining
theatricality. The production is both faithful to Shakespeare and relevant
and accessible to a modern audience. Aquila's previous Shakespearean
comedies have been described as "Gleefully engaging ... almost unbearable
fun ... directed with inspiration and a beautiful use of physical humor" by The
New York Times and "Beautifully spoken, dramatically revealing and
crystalline in effect” by The New Yorker.
An Enemy of the
People
By Henrik
Ibsen
 In Aquila Theatre's
thrilling new production of the Henrik Ibsen classic, An Enemy of the
People, "the strongest man in the world is the man who stands most
alone." This exciting drama explores the impact of severe eco-issues on a
small town and the consequences to one man of uncovering the truth.
Dr. Stockmann, a trusted
physician, makes a shocking discovery. The celebrated town spa, which serves
as the major source of local income, is toxic! Tensions flare as Dr.
Stockmann is desperate to convince his brother, the town mayor, of this
life-threatening health scare. In this gripping tale of one man taking on
City Hall, the doctor and 'self-proclaimed genius' must stand up for his
passionate beliefs in an effort to save lives.
This influential play, by
one of the most important playwrights of all time, has generated many stage
and film adaptations including Arthur Miller's 1950 adaptation, An Enemy
of the People, and Steven Spielberg's legendary film, Jaws.
Inspired by the contemporary relevance of Ibsen's play, Aquila is producing
An Enemy of the People as an entirely green production with the
smallest possible carbon footprint.
Described in The New York
Times as "a classically trained, modernly hip troupe," Aquila is also
developing a series of seminars and workshops based on the concept of
whistle blowing and the Whistleblower Protection Act of 2007. Aquila asks
these timeless questions: When is it right to speak up? Does the truth have
a price? Would you risk everything for the truth?
BACK
TO TOP
Study Guides for the
2009 Season
A Comedy of
Errors Study Guide (PDF)
The Iliad
Study Guide (PDF)
BACK
TO TOP
Aquila offers a
full range of participatory workshops, seminars, and class visits designed to
help illuminate different aspects of the company's work. Aquila draws on the
wide base of experience of its company members. Below is a partial listing of
the current and past residency activities; please contact
Baylin Artists for descriptions.
The Oral
Tradition - The Art of Storytelling
Shakespearean Comedy
Comic Influences - From Athens and Rome to Elizabethan London
The Mask - Comedy and Tragedy
Reading Shakespeare
Truth and Imagination
Physical Theatre
Voice and Text
Class Visits
Seminars
BACK
TO TOP
The Aquila Theatre
Company is pleased to offer special multi-day residencies with a team of company
members. These allow the presenting organization to offer a series of
interactive masterclasses in their community prior to the arrival of the full
company.
Aquila draws on the
wide base of experience of its company members. In addition to their extensive
professional expertise, the members have been trained at some of the US and UK's
best drama schools, including: The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, The Royal
Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, The London Academy of Dramatic Art, The
Webber Douglas Academy, Guildhall School of Music and Drama, Tisch School of the
Arts, Stella Adler Conservatory, National Shakespeare Conservatory and the
Guildford School of Dramatic Art.
Two members of the
Aquila residency team will conduct masterclasses in the areas of Drama/Theater,
English, Literature, Movement and Classics. Specific masterclasses on
physicality, Shakespeare, Greek drama & comedy, and masks may also be
integrated into the residency curriculum. Each masterclass may be tailored for
middle, high school, and college-age students as well as adults and can be
offered at the basic, intermediate, or advanced levels.
Each masterclass
runs 60-90 minutes. The ideal class size is 20-25 participants. Classes may be
repeated to accommodate larger groups. A large open space is the ideal location,
although some masterclasses may be appropriate for a classroom setting. The
number of masterclasses taught on each day will be mutually determined with a
maximum of 3 masterclasses taught by an individual on any day. Some classes
require both members of the team.
BACK
TO TOP
Please
contact Baylin Artists
for technical information.
BACK
TO TOP
Back to Top
|
