PODCAST · arts
ShakesPod
by Silicon Valley Shakespeare
Silicon Valley Shakespeare is innovating, illuminating, and inspiring with a mix of exclusive performances, behind-the-scenes interviews, and an exploration into the weird and wonderful world of William Shakespeare.
Episodes
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Episode 58--All the World's A Stage--Eventually!
Special Guests: Shawn Andrei Janine Burgener James Lucas Today we take a dive into the first published French version of Hamlet, written by Jean Francois Ducis. We hear a scene in the original French, we translate it and see how it compares to Shakespeare's scene.
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Episode 57--The Importance of Being Sara Kannen Dean
Special Guests: Sara Kannen Dean--Artistic Director of the Pear Theater, and director of The Importance of Being Earnest. Alycia Adame--plays Cecily Cardew in The Importance of Being Earnest. Annalisa Tkacheff--plays Gwendolen Fairfax in The Importance of Being Earnest Drew Benjamin Jones--plays...
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Episode 56--Much Ado About Kunal
This episode is an interview with Kunal Prasad, director of this summer's South Asian inspired Much Ado About Nothing!!
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Episode 55--Bill & Tom's Excellent Podcast
This week we interview Tom Gough, the director of SVS' free Shakespeare in the Park play, The Two Gentlemen of Verona, done in a totally awesome 1980's time warp! Find out more about Tom, Two Gents, the 80s and find out the answer to the most important question of all---Joan Jett or Pat Benetar?
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Episode 54--Mind your Manners with the Fabulous Mr. Wilde
Guest performers: James Lucas Video Performers: Christian Pizziarani--Narrator Amanda Le Nguyen--Amanda Dan C.--Dan
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Episode 53--The Two Totally Rad Verona Dudes
Guest performers: James Lucas Tonya Mara Paul Pinza
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Episode 52--Much Ado About a Little Something Something
Guest cast: Hero--Angie Higgins Claudio--Bryan Freeman Leonato/Benedick--James Lucas Don Pedro--Tom Shamrell Don John,/Friar Francis/Beatrice/Queen Elizabeth--Doll Piccotto
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Episode 51--AITA?
Let's take a look at SVS' upcoming season--Two Gentlemen of Verona, The Importance of Being Earnest, and Much Ado About Nothing through the lens of Reddit's AITA! Special Guest actor: James Lucas
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Episode 50--Dickens was a D***ens
Was Dickens a real life Ebenezer Scrooge? Well, listen in and find out. It's always a little disappointing when we discover that our literary heroes weren't as heroic as we hoped. So how do we process that with the King of Christmas himself? Actors: Charles Dickens--James Lucas "An Arbor Day…
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Episode 49--Flip the Script 5
Katelyn Miller--Mercutio from Romeo & Juliet Doll Piccotto--Marc Antony from Julius Caesar Sydney Harmon & Melissa Brown--Iachimo & Posthumus from Cymbeline Pat Tyler--Hamlet from Hamlet Bryan Freeman--The Gaeler's Daughter from Two Noble Kinsman James Lucas--Titania from A Midsummer Night's Dream
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Episode 48: Shakespook 2025--Ghost Stories
Tonight for your Halloween hauntings we present two stories--There Was A Man Dwelt Beside a Churchyard--a continuation of the story Mamilius begins to tell in A Winter's Tale, and the Ghost Story of Annie Walker. Narrator of the Ghost Story of Annie Walker: James Lucas
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Episode 47: SVS Stories 2025
Stories of outdoor theater from SVS' actors, directors and crew.
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Episode 46: Dear Miss Woodhouse, Please Stop--Directing the Chaos with Erin Southard
Thank you to Erin Southard for a delightful interview regarding her direction of Silicon Valley Shakespeare's production of Emma. Additional acting by: Mr. James Lucas
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Episode 45: I've Got A Hunch He's Gonna Be King! The Two Faces of Richard III
A look at this summer's Richard III and a comparison between Shakespeare's Richard and History's Richard! Acting Credits: Richard III--James Lucas Lady Anne--Doll Piccotto Sir Thomas More--James Lucas Poem: "Richard" by Carol Anne Duffy Performed by James Lucas
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Episode 44: Critical Hit: The Tempest Edition
Roll for initiative and prepare for a storm of epic proportions! In this episode of Shakespod we chat with Drew Jones, Director of The Tempest at Frank Bramhill Park in San Jose, June 6-22, 2025 and find out what inspired his Dungeons & Dragons take of this epic play!! Thank you to Drew Jones for...
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Episode 43: The Tempest and Dungeons & Dragons--It's all in the Eye of the Beholder
A first scholarly look at our 2025 Summer Free Shakespeare in the Park production of The Tempest, directed by Drew Benjamin Jones. Actors: James Lucas--Oberon, Puck, Prospero Doll Piccotto--Titania, Ariel
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Episode 42: Marlowe's Musings
This episode dives into the weird and wacky world of Christopher Marlowe---or does it? Actors: James Lucas--Sir Toby Belch, Dogberry, Lear's Fool Doll PIccotto--Maria, Verges, King Lear
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Episode 41: The Ides of Ma-ma-ma-march
Acting Credits: Caesar and Portia: Doll Piccotto Soothsayer: James Lucas
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Episode 38: Bard Talk--HALLOWEEN
Did Shakespeare Trick or Treat? Tune in and find out!! Players: Vincent Shakesprice--James Lucas First Fairy/Juliet--Sydney Nurse--Melissa Mei Jones Puck--Tonya Mara Sources: Astonishing legends.com 'Did Shakespeare Go Trick or Treating'--Cassidy Cash: "All Saints Day"--Britannica...
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Episode 37: Shakespod--BACK TO SCHOOL
Ever wonder what school was like in Shakespeare's Day? Well, tune in this week to find out! This week we dive into Shakespeare's school days, what kind of education he had, and why some people think that means he couldn't have written his plays. Merry Wives of Windsor Scene performed by: Sydney...
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Episode 36: Shakespeare and China
This episode of Shakespod dives into the history of theatre in China and when and how Shakespeare made his arrival there. Special Guest: James Lucas performing Marc Antony from Julius Caesar. Sources: SHAKESPEARE IN CHINA Ho Hsiang-Lin The ComparatistVol. 13 (MAY 1989), pp. 11-21 (11...
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Episode 35: Shakespod--The Chinese Exclusion Act and The Comedy of Errors Interview
In this episode, we take an in-depth look at the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, which provides the backdrop for our 2024 summer production of THE COMEDY OF ERRORS in Sanborn Park. The episode also features an interview with Melissa Mei Jones, director of THE COMEDY OF ERRORS, discussing her...
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Episode 34: The Play's the Thing...Unless It's the Movie
Doll Piccotto, SVS' Resident Dramaturg and 3 guests, Alika Spencer, director of SVS' Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde, Myles Rowland, actor who is playing Henry Jekyll and James Lucas--because he's entertaining and loves movies--discuss 3 different film versions of Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde. CORRECTION: We…
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Episode 33: Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde
Join Doll Piccotto, our resident dramaturg as she takes a walk on the light and dark side in this discussion of Jekyll & Hyde, Dualism and Allegory. Be sure to see our production of Jekyll & Hyde this summer at Sanborne Park in Saratoga, CA. Special Guest recordings by James Lucas. Ale and...
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Episode 32: All's Well That Ends Well?
All's Well that Ends Well....or does it? Listen in as a director, a professor and a dramaturg discuss Shakespeare's 'problem plays' and the issues that hinder a 'happy ending' in All's Well that Ends Well. Dr. Adrienne Eastwood from San Jose State Universityand and Marley Rose-Teter, the Director...
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Episode 31: Bard Talk - All's Well That Ends Well
In this episode, SVS Resident Dramaturg, Doll Piccotto, does a deep dive into Shakespeare's All's Well That Ends Well.
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Episode 30: Flipping the Script 3
In the third edition of "Flipping the Script," SVS presents another round of artists performing monologues in roles they wouldn't be traditionally cast in. Featuring pieces from Romeo & Juliet, Julius Caesar, The Importance of Being Earnest, and more; this episode will having you seeing these...
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Episode 29: Shakespeare & Film
Silicon Valley Shakespeare's Production Manager, Tonya Mara, has a lively discussion with guests Doll Piccotto and Christian Pizzirani about all the good (and bad) examples of Shakespeare inspired films as SVS gears up for Shakespeare in Love, opening at Sanborn this summer.
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Episode 28: Bard Talk - King Lear
In this episode, SVS Resident Dramaturg, Doll Piccotto, does a deep dive into Shakespeare's King Lear.
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Episode 27: Twelfth Night Directors Interview
Silicon Valley Shakespeare Production Manager, Tonya Mara, sits down with Twelfth Night's co-directors, Ivette Deltoro and Erin Southard, to discuss their vision of SVS's upcoming Willow Street production of Twelfth Night.
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Episode 26: Bard Talk - Twelfth Night
Kicking off our 2023 season, SVS Resident Dramaturg, Doll Piccotto, gives a fun and interesting in depth look at Shakespeare's Twelfth Night.
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Episode 25: Flipping the Script 2
In the second edition of "flipping the script" SVS presents another round of artists performing monologues in roles they wouldn't be traditionally cast in. Featuring pieces from Hamlet, King Lear, Dr. Faustus, and more; this episode will having you seeing these characters in a new light.
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Episode 24: Jane Austen
Bard Talk “The World of Jane Austen” What was it like to be a woman in Regency England? What does the right of primogeniture even mean?!? Dive into the world of Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility with SVS Dramaturg Doll Piccotto to answer these questions and more. Reference material: 1. An...
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Episode 23: Measure for Measure Director Interview
Production Manager, Tonya Mara, sits down and discusses SVS's upcoming Sanborn production of Measure for Measure with show's director, Doll Piccotto. This episode does contain mention of sexual assault so listener discretion is advised.
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Episode 22: LGBTQ+ in Shakespeare
SVS' 2022 live season starts with a LGBTQ+ version of Romeo & Juliet. To help us kickstart our season, SVS Artistic Director, Angie Higgins, sits down with company Dramaturg, Doll Piccotto, to discuss the history of R&J and LGBTQ+ in Shakespeare.
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Episode 21: Audition Tips for Actors
SVS Production Manager, Tonya Mara, sits down with Ivette Deltoro (Casting Assistant for City Lights Theater Company), Sara Dean (Executive Artistic Director for South Bay Musical Theatre), and Melinda Marks (Free lance director/artist in the Bay Area) to discuss helpful tips and tricks for…
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Episode 20: Interview with Audacity Performing Arts Project
SVS Artistic Director, Angie Higgins, sits down with company founder, Louis Stone-Collonge, and executive director, Rosalind Sanchez, to chat about the importance of inclusion-based theatre productions, artistic programming, and quality arts education.
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Episode 19: Flipping the Script
SVS is “flipping the script” and presenting gender-swapped performances of Shakespearean monologues. Featuring pieces from Twelfth Night, Macbeth, Othello and more, this episode will have you seeing these characters in a new light.
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Episode 18: Bard Talk - Shakespeare's Ghosts
Just in time for Halloween, SVS Resident Dramaturg Doll Piccotto gives a spooky new Bard Talk all about ghosts in Shakespeare’s plays. From Richard III to Macbeth, Julius Caesar to Hamlet, ghosts play a significant roles in some of Shakespeare’s most iconic works. Learn about how ghosts were...
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Bard Audio Play 3: RICHARD III
Silicon Valley Shakespeare presents Richard III, our final summer Bard audio play. Directed by Doll Piccotto with sound design & editing by Ryan Lee Short, this riveting production follows one of Shakespeare’s (and history’s) most devious, manipulative villains in his pursuit of the crown. Hear…
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Bard Audio Play 2: THE COMEDY OF ERRORS
Silicon Valley Shakespeare presents The Comedy of Errors, our second summer Bard audio play. Directed by Angie Higgins with sound design & editing by Phil Surtees, this hilarious farce of mistaken identity follows two sets of identical twins who were separated from each other years before but now...
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Bard Audio Play 1: TITUS ANDRONICUS
Silicon Valley Shakespeare presents Titus Andronicus, the first in our summer Bard audio plays series. Directed by Tonya Mara with sound design, music & editing by Charlie Hoyt, this chilling tale begins when Roman general Titus Andronicus returns from war with four prisoners. What follows is a...
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Episode 17: Interview with EnActe Arts
SVS Marketing Director Laura Domingo sits down with EnActe Arts Artistic Director Vinita Sud Belani and Director of Education Vijay M. Rajan. They discuss how the Silicon Valley theatre company and arts organization is on a mission to be a talent incubator and to tell South Asian stories with...
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Episode 16: Bard Talk: The Merchant of Venice
Silicon Valley Shakespeare’s Resident Dramaturg Doll Piccotto talks about how the social and political structures of 16th century Venice—including the restrictions placed on Jewish residents—made the city one of the only places where the story of The Merchant of Venice could be set.
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Episode 12 - Playwrights in Quarantine
Local playwright, Ross Harkness, sits down with other Bay Area writers to discuss what it's been like as a playwright during quarantine in our latest episode of ShakesPod
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Episode 15: Interview with Annalisa Tkacheff
SVS Artistic Director Angie Higgins sits down with our new Executive Director, Annalisa Tkacheff. Hear all about Annalisa's journey to Silicon Valley Shakespeare, her own personal history with the Bard, and her vision for the company's future.
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Episode 14 - Ira Aldridge
SVS Resident Dramaturg Doll Picotto explores the complex history of race in Shakespeare performance, including the lens in which we view his works, and the life of Ira Aldridge, the first Black Shakespearean actor.
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Episode 13 - Interview with College of Adaptive Arts
SVS sits down with the professors from the College of Adaptive Arts, a non-profit in San Jose that's paving a new path for adults with special needs, to chat about why art and accessibility is important for everyone.
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Silicon Valley Shakespeare is innovating, illuminating, and inspiring with a mix of exclusive performances, behind-the-scenes interviews, and an exploration into the weird and wonderful world of William Shakespeare.
HOSTED BY
Silicon Valley Shakespeare
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does ShakesPod have?
ShakesPod currently has 55 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is ShakesPod about?
Silicon Valley Shakespeare is innovating, illuminating, and inspiring with a mix of exclusive performances, behind-the-scenes interviews, and an exploration into the weird and wonderful world of William Shakespeare.
How often does ShakesPod release new episodes?
ShakesPod has 55 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to ShakesPod?
You can listen to ShakesPod on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts ShakesPod?
ShakesPod is created and hosted by Silicon Valley Shakespeare.
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