Episode 16 — Artistic Director of the American Shakespeare Center, Brandon Carter '14

Brandon Carter's passion is Shakespeare. His mission is to “Break the Legacy” of what Shakespeare roles look and sound like, especially at an epicenter of culture surrounding Shakespeare and his early modern contemporaries.He is the Artistic Director of the American Shakespeare Center. Located in the  Shenandoah Valley, Virginia’s premiere classical theatre is at once intimate in scale and epic in imagination— creating vital, sophisticated, and accessible seasons built around a company of versatile actors performing in repertory all year round. The Center illuminates the plays of Shakespeare and his contemporaries, classic and new, refreshing the individual, fostering civil discourse, and creating community in the Blackfriars Playhouse and beyond.Brandon, who earned his MFA in acting from Penn State in 2014, joined The People of Penn State for an in-depth conversation on his career journey to the Shakespeare Center, using his role as an avenue for activism, and more. Visit Brandon's website and the website for the American Shakespeare Center. You can also follow Brandon on Instagram: @mistercart3r. Timestamps: 0:00 — Alma Mater Verse #10:16 — Intro 2:10 — Becoming a Penn Stater5:20 — Earning an MFA in acting from Penn State 8:45 — Career journey to the American Shakespeare Center 13:00 — Wanting to be an actor 15:35 — Ad Read #1 16:45 — Using his platform for activism 26:00 — 2020 interview on Social Justice movement 30:20 — Leading through the COVID-19 pandemic 36:15 — What draws people to Shakespeare 40:00 — Shakespeare's Sonnets41:47 — AD Read #2 43:35 — Lightning round questions45:30 — Outro46:35 — Alma Mater Verse #2 Learn more about the Penn State Alumni Association: alumni.psu.edu. Follow the Penn State Alumni Association on:FacebookTwitterInstagramLinkedIn For more alumni stories, visit pennstatermag.com