Welcome to Hamlet Isn’t Dead’s

Antony & Cleopatra

Content Warning
Please note that this show addresses suicide and shows it non-explicitly onstage without blood. Mimed cigarette smoking is also featured in a brief scene.

Plot Summary
(Just…so many spoilers)

Act 1
Mark Antony, Rome’s hero, has been spending his days in Egypt with his love Cleopatra and partying with his best friend Enobarbus. News comes that Fulvia, Antony’s wife, has died. And with Pompey’s armada looming, Antony decides that he must return to Rome for the first time in forever. In his absence, Cleopatra writes to Antony everyday.

Back in Rome, the other two parts of the triumvirate, Lepidus and Octavius Caesar (who everyone just calls Caesar), express their concerns over Antony’s neglect of duty and Pompey’s growing navy of pirates. The triumvirate reunite, and even through tensions between Caesar and Antony, they put aside their differences for the good of Rome. Antony agrees to marry Caesar’s sister Octavia as a peace offering and bring her back to Egypt with him.

In Egypt, Cleopatra finds out about Octavia and is anything but happy about it. Her besties Charmian and Iras are extremely supportive though all of Cleo’s changing moods.

The triumvirate meet with Pompey to discuss a truce, which he accepts on the condition that Antony apologize to him for being rude. Scarus, Pompey’s right hand man, suggests that they kill the triumvirate while their guard is down. Pompey refuses and Scarus denounces Pompey for throwing away his chance at glory. Everyone gets drunk and celebrates the truce!

The next morning, the triumvirate part once more, swearing to keep their promises to each other. Half a second later, Antony finds out Caesar has taken over Rome, denying Lepidus and Pompey any power. In response, Antony sends back Octavia, royally pissing off Caesar. Scarus swears allegiance to Antony as they make their way back to Egypt and gear up for war.

In Egypt, Antony refuses to fight on land and insists they fight Caesar with ships, despite everyone telling him it's a bad idea. Cleopatra is the only one who agrees with Antony and offers naval support, but in the battle Cleopatra's ships chicken out. Antony commands his navy to follow after hers, which is a royal blunder on both of their parts. Antony, humiliated, forgives Cleopatra and attempts negotiations with Caesar (negotiations = “let’s settle this outside, one-on-one”). Caesar refuses Antony, instead offering Cleopatra protection. Cleopatra considers Caesar’s offer and a paranoid Antony, strikes the messenger, the Soothsayer. Cleopatra vows her loyalty to Antony, reassuring him. Disheartened by all he’s witnessed, Enobarbus vows to leave Antony.

Act 2
Antony prepares for battle (on land this time). The Soothsayer reveals that Enobarbus has left Antony and gone to Caesar’s side. Antony sends Enobarbus' belongings after him, along with even more treasure. When Enobarbus learns about Antony’s kindness he is mortified by his abandonment.

On the battlefield, the fight continues. Just when things weren’t looking good for Antony, Rome retreated--small victory! Scarus is injured but promised greatness. At the Roman camp, Enobarbus dies of a broken heart.

A confident Antony is ready to fight by sea again. Once again, Cleopatra’s ships flee and Antony's follow. Antony speaks cruelly to Cleopatra because of her betrayal and vows to kill her, then himself.

Distraught, Cleopatra agrees with Charmian’s plan to play dead and sends Iras to tell Antony. Grief-stricken Antony begs Scarus to kill him. Scarus instead kills himself. Antony tries to join Scarus, but fails to finish the job. Charmian comes in too late, and helps bring Antony to Cleopatra’s side in her monument. Antony finally dies from his wounds in his love’s arms.

Pompey delivers the news of Antony’s death to Caesar. Caesar sends word to Cleopatra that he is ready to negotiate peace.

Cleopatra is worried about what is to become of her. Lepidus tells her the truth; she will be paraded in the streets of Rome. Fearing this, Cleopatra vows to commit suicide to be with Antony. A Rural Man arrives with a basket of asps disguised as figs. Cleopatra uses the poisonous snakes to kill herself. In solidarity with their queen, Iras and Charmain follow suit. Caesar arrives too late and promises to give both Cleopatra and Antony a Roman burial.

Land Acknowledgement
This is not the first story to be told on this soil, nor will it be the last. The land on which we perform this play is the ancestral home of the Munsee Lenape, a subtribe of the Lenape people. What is now known as “New York City” was a thriving center of trade and art long before European colonizers arrived. 

This particular area was also home to Seneca Village, the first free Black community in NYC. After over 30 years, this thriving community was purposefully and forcibly displaced by City officials in order to construct Central Park. We recognize that the absence of both Seneca Village and the Munsee Lenape stewards of this land are due to the intentional actions of our European ancestors, and by white supremacist systems still in place today.

Director’s Note

Here’s the thing about Antony and Cleopatra. Everyone knows the story, but this particular show can be a bit contentious amongst those who know it. It’s one of Shakespeare’s longest, with over 30 different characters. It cycles rapidly between different perspectives: Rome vs. Egypt, Caesar vs. Antony. It paints both Antony and Cleopatra in a lofty, unrelatable light; Cleopatra is particularly difficult to approach with her rapid mood swings, manipulations, and conflicting motivations. In short, it’s a toughy. 

One of Hamlet Isn’t Dead’s key goals is to produce the entirety of Shakespeare’s canon in the (approximate) order in which it was written. This allows us to reflect on our growth as a company alongside the Bard’s growth as a playwright and gives us the opportunity to examine the less savory pieces we wouldn’t have otherwise tackled. That said, every time we approach a show, whether it be King Lear or King John, we ask ourselves, “why are we telling this story now and how do we make it as joyful, engaging, and accessible as possible?”

Antony and Cleopatra is a sequel show for both of us. It is literally a sequel to Julius Caesar, which Sophia assistant directed for Hamlet Isn’t Dead five years ago. It is also the spiritual successor to last year’s Macbeth, which was Val’s HID directorial debut. Both shows focused on collective action and the impact on a community when the few members of the elite take too much power. But in this production, we don’t get to see the common people, so we don’t see how the actions of the show affect the everyday Egyptian and Roman. Instead, we feel the intense loss of their absence. It is through this lens that we developed this production: a cast of 10 instead of 30, sparse staging, and distilled story beats highlight the negative space of the show. We further leaned into the theme of isolation and self-interest with our 80s theming, as a combination of disillusionment with the US government, a booming music and movie industry, and the end of a crippling recession led many to invest in individualism during this time (don’t @ us, we know this is an oversimplification, but we ain’t historians). Plus, the 80s are fun and the music rocks!

Community is such an important theme for us because of how important our Hamlet Isn’t Dead community has become. Especially in the midst of global pandemics, climate disasters, and economic instability, the choice between investing in community and investing in the self is more urgent than ever. As all independent theatre companies have experienced in the last few years, there were moments when it looked like maybe we wouldn’t make it through. The only reason we did was because of our company of passionate, talented, and innovative artists, many of whom have taken on new, leaderful roles as educators, assistant directors, and artistic associates. We are nothing without the community we've built together, just as Antony and Cleopatra are nothing without their fellow Romans and Egyptians. By neglecting their people, all they have to cling to is their own unhealthy relationship. 

Enjoy the show, sing along to your favorite songs (we know you know the words!!), and reflect on where you have found your own community in an individualistic world. If you've been lucky enough to find your people, hold on to them tight.

Love,
Val and Soph

Special Thanks
The Center at West Park, Molloy Studios, Fractured Atlas, Actors’ Equity, all of our amazing donors past, present, and future.

Love what we do and want to support us? Hate what we do but think we’d improve with more funding? Send us some love with a tax-deductible donation! Alternatively, you can send some love to our cast and crew individually; see their Venmo handles below!

Full Crew
Sophia Carlin - Co-Director
Valerie Peter Chong - Co-Director
Michael Luca - Assistant Director/Dramaturg
B Carty - Stage Manager/Covid Compliance Officer
Afton Paige Welch - Intimacy Director
Julieanna Stolley - Fight Choreographer
David Andrew Laws - Producer

Full Cast
Travis Klemm - Antony
Neysa Lozano* - Cleopatra
Reid Watson - Octavius Caesar
Jorge Carrión Álvarez - Enobarbus/Rural Man
Dan Dobro - Lepidus/Fight Captain
Roy Koshy - Pompey
Bradwin Amos - Charmian/Band Director
Meg Oikawa - Iras/Band
Madeline Rose Parks - Soothsayer/Band
Gabriel Ethridge - Scarus/Band
Samia Omari - Cleopatra Understudy
Gregory Kowlessar* - Antony Understudy
Olivia Basile - Swing Caesar/Enobarbus/Lepidus/Pompey
Nick Stokes - Swing Soothsayer/Charmian/Iras/Scarus/Band

*Equity Member appearing with permission of Actors’ Equity Association without benefit of an Equity contract in this Off-Off Broadway production

Cast & Crew Bios

Afton Paige Welch (Intimacy Director) is a proud HIDiot and ever so grateful to play for another season after her first intimacy project with HID on Measure for Measure. In addition to intimacy directing, she’s also a proud resident acting company member and additionally a yoga teacher and nude portrait photographer. Her photography can be seen on boudoirbyafton.com and you can drool over the delicious goodies she bakes on her instagram, @aftonpwelch. Enjoy the show! Consent is fun! 

B Carty (Stage Manager) ​​(they/them) is best known for being a broke current senior in the International Performance Ensemble Directing program at Pace University. As a manic queer artist, B tends to focus on radical, grotesque, horny material that directly confronts the voices we’d rather leave buried within us. Thus, the beautiful levity and play of Hamlet Isn’t Dead allows them to maintain their status as a “functioning” member of society. They have a fun variety of credits and hobbies but would rather you just talk to them ;) Special shoutout to this entire company for bringing nothing but joy to every rehearsal <3 VENMO: CartyB23 - They also like ice cream. 

Bradwin Amos (Charmian/Band Director) (they/he) Bradwin is a graduate of New York University where they earned their M.M in Vocal Performance. They are also a graduate of Furman University, where they graduated with a B.M in Music Education. Bradwin was recently seen in the Off-Broadway reading of Call Me From The Grave: A New Musical (Featured Ensemble), Theatre for the New City’s Life on the Third Rail: A Subway Delay to the Future, Emit Theatre's Twelfth Night (Viola), and Hamlet Isn’t Dead’s King Lear (France/Ensemble). Bradwin would like to thank Hamlet Isn’t Dead for this amazing opportunity and also his friends and family for their continued & wonderful support! Instagram: @thebradwinamos. Venmo: bradwin-amos

Dan Dobro (Lepidus/Fight Captain) is ever-grateful for another opportunity to roll around on the floor. A new Artistic Associate for HID this year, and RAC member for long enough that he lost count for a moment there the other day, Dan is also the Resident Haiku Poet for the Theater Under St Mark’s.  On Venmo, @Dan-Dobro, but on Instagram @don_dabro. Maybe one day he’ll make a post there.

David Andrew Laws (Producer) (he/they) is Hamlet Isn’t Dead’s founding Artistic Director and resident cool guy. Since founding the company in 2012, he has functioned as a director, performer, designer, writer, choreographer, teacher, and more. Education credits include Walden Theatre (Louisville, KY), Carnegie Mellon University, and the Rhodopi International Theatre Laboratory in Smolyan, Bulgaria. Credits outside of HID: Macbeth in Drunk Shakespeare (off-Broadway), co-creator The Twenty-Sided Tavern, podcast host I Fell in Love with a Video Nasty. David’s first play, Attack! of the Killer Man from the Sun!, is having its world premiere in Little Rock, Arkansas this November. For more, follow him on IG @davidnotandrew, on TikTok @theDAGL, and at www.davidandrewlaws.com.

Gabriel Ethridge (Scarus/Band) (they/them) is so happy to be returning home to the RAC. Recent Productions: All’s Well, Midsummer Night’s Stream (HID), Emil x Xaver, Midsummer (Columbia), Spring Awakening, Macbeth (Theatre Row), Sketch of New York (Producer’s Club), Inferno…Coconut Grove (Theatre 80). Graduate of Circle in the Square. Okay, now that’s done, Gabriel is originally from Dallas, TX, their goal is to make inclusive heartfelt art that truthfully represents, uplifts, excites, and grows our humanity, community, and kindness. That’s a lot of words, but they just wanna let you know you’re seen and welcome. See them next in The Woodlands (NYTF at Theatre Latea 11/27, 12/1 & 3), in the completely improvised film for Jet Live! (Dec. 13th at USM), or performing original music and making some killer 🤘🏻 latte art @gabrielcethridge. Venmo: Gabriel-Ethridge

Gregory Kowlessar (Understudy Antony) is a New York-based actor. He is a BFA graduate from Five Towns College and has attended NYU's Tisch School of the Arts. He made his HIDiot debut last season in King Lear as Edgar. @gregorykowlessar 

Jorge Carrión Álvarez (Enobarbus/Rural Man) is beyond excited for his first show as a part of Hamlet Isn’t Dead’s Resident Acting Company (that’s a mouthful!). He’d like to profusely thank everyone in the show for making him feel so at home. Recent New York acting credits include Chasing Andy Warhol (Bated Breath Theater Co), I Pledge Allegiance (Mirror Up. Theater Co), and Heroes of the Fourth Turning (ASDS Rep). Love you Lex and Bob.

Julieanna Stolley (Fight Choreographer) is so delighted to be working on her first Hamlet isn’t Dead show as their fight Choreographer. She is a recent graduate of the MFA Acting program at Brooklyn College. She is both an actor and fighter, some of her favorite recent credits include: The Vibrator Play (Mrs. Givings), Criminal Hearts (Fight Choreo), Taming of the Shrew (Tranio/Fight Choreo) Much love to the entire team for letting me jump in so fully- it already feels like home! Keep going. Insta: @julieannastolley

Madeline Rose Parks (Soothsayer/Band) foresees you will have a great time watching this show (and is so excited for her first Hamlet Isn’t Dead production!). She is a recent graduate of NYU Tisch. While not saying sooths, she can be found playing with her cats or recording/designing graphics for Multiversal RPG (found on Apple and Spotify, visuals on instagram @Multiversal.RPG). Her recent credits include: Sea Glass (Imogen) with NYTF’s 2023 Summerfest, Violet: The Web Series (Saffron), and Julius Caesar (Mark Antony, pre-Cleopatra) at the Robert Moss Theatre within Playwrights Horizons Downtown. You can find her virtually at madelineroseparks.com, @ladymaudlin on insta, or a cheeky little venmo @MadelineParks5 

Meg Oikawa (Iras/Band) is delighted to make her debut with Hamlet Isn’t Dead - go Egypt! Born in Tokyo and raised in Singapore, Meg is a NYC-based bilingual actor and producer. Beginning her theatre career in Japan, Meg furthered her training in NYC at the Actors Studio Drama School (MFA in Acting). Recent credits include Bacchae (Bacchant, Off-Broadway), Fefu and Her Friends (Cindy, ASDS Rep), and Twelfth Night (Olivia, regional). She unfortunately does not have Venmo, but will accept a good ole’ margarita. www.megoikawa.com IG: @megoikawa

Mike Luca (Assistant Director) is found as the assistant director, when he’s not practicing his Jedi skills. He’s usually found upon the stage, but thought it’d be nice to lend his Shakespeare glossary for everyone’s use. This marks his 7th year of HIDiocy! It seems like only yesterday he was making his HIDut as THE WALL in HIDsummer. He wishes broken legs to all the cast, and humbly thanks the creative team for abiding him. 

Neysa Lozano (Cleopatra) is the only of her name in the world. She is an actress and writer in NYC and an Alumni of NYU Tisch. She has done shows at The Working Theater, IATI Theater, and the Flea Theater as well as other productions around the country. She is also a skilled Tarot Reader - find her most Tuesdays at EO in the lower east side. To find more information follow her on all social media @neysalozano.

Nick Stokes (Swing Charmian/Iras/Scarus/Soothsayer/Band) is originally from Virginia Beach, VA, but spent most of his adolescence and early adult years in AL, where he earned a BFA in Acting/Directing from the University of Montevallo. On the winding road of Life, he took a left turn at Albuquerque and landed somewhere in the Big Apple, where he found Hamlet Isn’t Dead. He is an actor/writer/musician and often spends his days dreaming up wonderfully creative things that will never make any money. He is ecstatic to be sharing the stage (and rehearsal space) with so many talented and terrific individuals. IG: @nickcstokes

Olivia Basile (Swing Caesar/Enobarbus/Lepidus/Pompey) is so excited to be back with Hamlet Isn’t Dead after her first HID show, Troilus and Cressida. Olivia is a New York City based actor, graduate of NYU Tisch, a writer, podcast editor, and Cool Guy. Acting credits include: Sunny & Dawn (Sunny) at Prime Produce, NYC; All My Sons (Sue Bayliss) at the Wayside Cottage. Writing credits include: Sea Glass, a two act play, which premiered its first edition at NYTF’s 2023 Summerfest — the industry presentation of the revised Sea Glass will be in December. Podcast editing credits: The LightShed Podcast, Reverting, and Strand Walks. Cool Guy credits: 😎 Insta: OliviaBaesil / Venmo: @Olivia-Basile / oliviabasile.com

Reid Watson (Octavius Caesar) is thrilled to be taking the stage with Hamlet Isn't Dead once more! He was previously seen as Bertram in HID’s production of All’s Well That Ends Well, as well as Lysander in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, presented at the New York Botanical Garden. Some favorite recent credits include The Astronomer in Etched Glass Decanter and Ethan in Four Seasons, both produced by The Evening Crane Theatre. He is elated to be working on this production with such a talented, dedicated group of artists!  IG: @reidywatson

Roy Koshy (Pompey) is an actor, writer, and director based in New York City. Most recently, he performed in “Cowl Girl” produced by Unattended Baggage, and Hamlet Isn’t Dead’s production of "All's Well That Ends Well". Roy has also acted in videos for adultswim.com and Fast Company, and can be seen in the feature films "How to be Single" and "A Hint of Disorder". Roy also performs with Story Pirates and has written for their podcast. IG/Tiktok: @royofkings

Samia Omari (Understudy Cleopatra) (she/her) is a New York-based actor from France. She’s excited to play with the incredible Hamlet Isn’t Dead Resident Acting Company. Some NYC credits include Gabrielle in #SoSadSoSexy at The Tank, Belle in Everyone’s Carol at the Morgan Museum, Telemundo 2023 Upfronts. When not on stage you can find her in a dance studio, cooking, wine testing or seeking cats to pet — Instagram: @samyoushka  samiaomari.com

Sophia Carlin (Co-Director) (she/they) is a theatre artist dedicated to highlighting unheard voices through new works and adaptations. She works as an actor, director, producer, deviser, puppeteer, teaching artist, and designer in both NYC and their native Chicago. A proud HIDiot of 6 years, she serves as the Creative Director for Hamlet Isn't Dead (HID), having most notably directed All's Well that Ends Well for them last April. It's been an honor and privilege to work with such incredible artists on this show, let alone, to get to do it with her best friend by their side--loves ya Val! Keep up with her journey at sophiacarlin.com or on Insta: @sophia.c.carlin

Travis Klemm (Antony): This is Travis’ tenth season, thirteenth mainstage production, and seventeenth character with HID. Surely he’s earned his free tote bag by now. He’s incredibly grateful & humbled to have been around this long and to see how much the company has grown! Selected HID Credits: Twelfth Night (Malvolio), Julius Caesar (Casca), Midsummer (Demetrius), Titus Andronicus (Saturninus). When he’s not quoting the bard with HID, you can catch Travis rolling the dice with The Twenty-Sided Tavern: an interactive, live action, choose your own adventure show inspired by D&D. TST credits include NYC, Pittsburgh, Edinburgh Fringe, and Chicago productions. Check out his meager social media presence @twentysidedtravis or toss him pennies @Travis-Klemm.  Hi Dayle! 

Valerie Peter Chong (Co-Director) (they/them) is thrilled to be back in the director’s chair alongside their bestie and HIDiot-in-Crime, Sophia! Val is the Company Director of Hamlet Isn’t Dead, helping to maintain the wellbeing, relationships, and inclusivity of the company while producing kickass shows like this one! Notable HID credits include Macbeth (Director) and All’s Well that Ends Well (Stage Manager). Beyond HID, Val has also worked with the Fantasy Tavern NYC as a Tech Coordinator and Directorial Consultant and as the NYC Resident Stage Manager for the Indie Collaborative. Beyond the stage, Val is a CUNY program manager, urban farmer, forager, cat parent, and- clearly- a chronic busybody.