Shaken, Not Speared

Host Daniel Kemper sits down with several key figures in the court of Athens: Duke Theseus and Duchess Hippolyta, newly engaged fresh off the heat of war; Lord Egeus, furiously seeking the execution of his daughter Hermia for daring to fall in love with a young man different from the one whom Egeus preferred; and Master of the Revels Philostrate, working hard and hardly working to keep everyone entertained. Shaken, Not Speared is a half-improvised mockumentary podcast that combines immersively designed audio renditions of scenes from William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream with improvised character interviews ala Christopher Guest, celebrating the timeless irreverence of the classic comedy in ways that will ignite new conversations for fans of the play as much as it provides an entry-point for Shakes-curious newcomers. Featuring (in order of appearance): Daniel Kemper (Host), David Sitler (Egeus), Nicolas Greco (Philostrate), Jerome Harmann-Hardeman (Hippolyta), Elisabeth Ahrens (Theseus), Ann Flanigan (Hermia), Michael Shenefelt (Demetrius), Kara Arena (Lysander), Samantha Simone (Helena), and Laura Piccoli (Peter Quince). Actor-Managed by Daniel Kemper. Becca Kaplan was the production manager. Original music by Kara Arena. Produced and edited by Montgomery Sutton. Sound design, production, and mixing by lupo blu productions. Shaken, Not Speared is a Rude Grooms podcast; learn more at www.rudegrooms.com. Shaken, Not Speared: A Midsummer Night’s Dream is made possible in part by the Queens Council on the Arts with public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council and individual contributions from our Patreon supporters. Join them to gain exclusive donor access at patreon.com/rudegrooms.

Shaken, Not Speared: A Midsummer Night’s Dream brings Shakespeare’s madcap comedy to your ears like you’ve never experienced before. Actor-Manager Daniel Kemper combines immersive audio drama with improvised interviews with the characters in this 5-part limited series. Join us every other Tuesday starting on December 14, 2021, for Shaken, Not Speared: A Midsummer Night’s Dream, made possible in part by the Queens Council on the Arts with public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.